Ely area ice as of December 13th/Frozen bait issue settled for now.

[greatoutdoors]

Ely was fortunate not to receive any of the massive snowfall that pounded most of the state last Friday and Saturday.
However, we did get some very cold weather, which should continue for the next three days.
Temps were as low as -17 with wind, making the chill factor from -20 to -40 last weekend.
This will make solid ice on most of the lakes, and lock up those that got the 5-6 inches of wet snow earlier and created some slush.
BAIT:
As mentioned in earlier posts, any Rainbow Smelt or Ciscos used for fishing in Minnesota waters must be treated in one of four ways to be legal.  But, no Cisco or Smelt taken from Lake Superior can be used whether treated or not, as the lake is infected with the VHS virus.
We will have the treated Ciscoes at the shop, and frozen Herring which are legal to use.
Personally, I'd use the frozen Herring for Lakers and Pike in the winter, and the treated Ciscoes in the summer if camping since they do not need to be kept cold when preserved with borax and salt.
This process drys them out, and they DO NEED TO BE REHYDRATED for three hours or more before using them for fishing.
Feel free to call my shop if you have any questions on these bait regs.  We will be opening for ice fishing this Friday.