Ely area inland lakes Trout opener is January 17th.

[greatoutdoors]

The inland lakes trout opener is January 17th. 
Ely area ice conditions will be excellent as most lakes have at least 14 inches of good, clear ice, including Burntside and Snowbank.
With the recent 8 inch snowfall, lake travel by pickup, snowmobile, or ATV should allow people to travel anywhere they want.
Unless the forecast changes, temperature will be fairly comfortable for the opening weekend.

[DDSBYDAY]

   Any word on trout opener success?

[greatoutdoors]

Sporadic, just like the weather.  Lakers being taken from 6 FOW to 50+.
Ciscoes worked well on Snowbank, and Burntside.
Jigging normally is a good way to fish, but many of the trout taken weren't overly aggressive.
One angler that caught a 30 incher 6 feet below the ice, watched the laker play around with a small spoon tipped with a 1" Berkley Power Nymph for several minutes before it took the bait.
Lake conditions are still decent, but truck travel will be a bit slower with the damp conditions and light snowfall we've received.
Snowmobiles will get you anywhere you want quickly, ATV's  with tires may be hampered by the conditions a bit.
Other options for live bait are small suckers and rainbows.