Ely area lakes

[Babes]

While getting around on area lakes has been made difficult by the layer of slush beneath the snow, fishing for crappies has actually been pretty good. We've fished Low lake, One Pine and Johnson lakes and found some nice size crappies on all three.
Travel by four wheelers is out of the question because of the drifting snow and slush, and sleds are even being bogged down, but if you really have the desire to catch some fish, head out on foot and you will be rewarded for your effort.

[Babes]

The lakes have improved considerably. The slush has hardened up nicely with the cold temperatures of last week. There are still pockets of slush scattered around Burntside and Shagawa, so be cautious as you travel. Most are obvious as the snow shows a darker tinge to it where the snow remains wet. Walleyes are starting to show up on Shagawa and though the laker bite on Burntside is slower than we'd like, there are some being caught for those diligent enough to put in the time.
Sub-zero temps are predicted for this weekend again, so hopefully it will help to harden the remaining slush.
Ice has been averaging 14-16 inches, but this is not a blanket go ahead all around, as there are some thinner ice patches where there is moving water and near choke points between the islands.