Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Ely - Babbitt Fishing Reports - Lake Conditions Too.


Recommended Posts

Thanks. I will pick one up if I get a chance, although flat line trolling can work surprisingly well this time of year. It is amazing that they will hit floating rapalas in 100 feet of water sometimes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If surface temps are right and lakers are in aggressive feeding mode, they'll come off the bottom to smack a lure running only a few feet down over 100 FOW.

I've seen it happen. That's aggressive!

Getting a lure down 20=30 feet just means they don't have as far to go, and that translates into a few more fish.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, I didn't get the jet diver. Got a couple snap weights packed and an assortment of deep, shallow, and in between stuff packed. Although I still remember getting a trout casting a floating rapala next to shore by a fallen tree. Thought I had the biggest smallie ever.

I can't wait.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Today was another case of size instead of numbers on Burntside. We've been averaging 2-3 fish per day since opener, but several have been 30 inches or longer. Today's large fish was just over 34 inches, with an estimated weight of 14 lbs.

full-635-9324-big_one.jpg

It was a nice fight for Joyce (pictured above), who had never caught a lake trout before today. Today's lakers came 50-75 feet down over 60-120 FOW. The big one hit a blue/purple/hex chrome trolling spoon behind a downrigger fished 75 feet down over 115 FOW. No fish today on the Jet Diver, just the downriggers.

It was the first time this season I saw lots of fish suspended 30-40 feet down over deeper water, so they were active, but no matter which lure I put behind the 30-foot Jet Diver, none of the high flyers hit it. All the fish came from the deeper presentations. Always a possibility on Bside that suspended fish in water colder than 55 degrees are the few remaining mature whitefish in the lake. Same thing with hooks near the bottom in deep water; those could be lakers, eelpout or whitefish. Hooks just off the bottom in 60 FOW or less could also be smallies or walleyes or, sometimes, pike.

Them ole hooks don't identify themselves, do they? grin

All fish today were gently released to continue growing and offering big fish opportunities to future anglers. smile

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was the netman on one of those one time and F' d it up!! bet you'll never forget that one Steve!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Steve thanks for the pics and report! I need to fish that lake during the summer sometime.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey everyone

My dad little brother and a couple friends are heading into basswood via moose lake next Thursday the 16th for the weekend and was wondering if anyone has been into the main lake lately? Any walleye reports mostly depth and presentations/bait would be appreciated. Last year we went in a week later and could only find the sunnies and pikezilla!! going to camp on the south west side of the main lake and hopefully get myself a 30+ incher finally, keeping my fingers crossed.

Also is there a night bight on the main part of the lake its fairly clear water, and the moon should almost be full by next weekend?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So I just got back from basswood main lake. We stayed at the campsite just north of wind bay, it was nice and had tent pads for two possibly three tents, lots of mosquitoes. The fishing was so so caught some nice 8-10inch sunnies by the narrows going into back bay hugged right up next to the bull rush with worms. We found the pike in houst bay in the weeds. Drifted across the bay with spoons, and floated sucker minnows under floats most of the pike were small but got three around ten pounds and one nice fat 42 incher which came of a black and silver spoon. Couldn't find the walleyes tried everywhere and only managed two cigars. The smallmouth we caught were up the lake farther by beaver island next to shore on beds, we would just crews down the shore tell we spotted the sand and we caught them on everything leaches, gulp shiners, and mepps spinners the one thing they wanted was natural colors blacks, silver, gold, wouldn't bite green, yellow, red or odd color. Good luck to everyone going up there its an amazing lake and cant weight to get back up this fall to try and chase some more walleyes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for posting. I go up late summer and fall and I would have to agree that it is an amazing lake. Basswood is where I caught my PB walleye 29 1/2" and weighed in at a fat 10lbs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Glad to hear you had a great time out there. When I was going into Basswood that's the area we concentrated on. Seems like the walleye bite was getting a bit tougher as the years slipped by.

I miss going in there but there's so much to explore around the Ely area that I haven't gone through the hassle and expense to get a permit again. I can still remember heading in, washed with the light of the sunrise and thinking, "Is this for real?". smile

Good luck on your next trip.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That end of the lake seems to be slower for walleyes until the water warms up in July. Then it can be crazy!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Hey folks. A group of us will be coming up Saturday to the White Iron chain for the first time. We'd like to focus on walleyes and smallies. We'll be staying on Garden.

I've done a bit of research and have noted some popular spots, but am wondering if we should focus on any certain depth or use any specific technique.

Thanks in advance.

DB

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Doonbuggy,

I know this is WAY too late for your trip but the fish were transitioning deeper while you were there. We were up over the week of the 4th and started out doing well on everything in less than 10 feet of water. As the week wore on the fishing faded also. We still saw some fish shallow but they were typically small and inactive. We shifted from lake to lake in the region and it seemed the same way all over the place. Water temps were in the mid-70's.

How did things go for you?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

We didn't fish much for walleyes although I can tell you that the boats I saw fishing were focusing on mid lake humps and on shorelines with steep drops. Assuming leech/crawler rigs. Pressure was nominal.

We had to fish hard and cover ground for smallies, but we found some nice fish. Three presentations were best: topwater, especially around midlake reefs/buoys.

Then we found a school of smallies in some reed stands one day. I assume this was because crayfish were in there and we got those simply on leeches.

The last day the senko bite finally turned on with both 4" and 5" sizes working. Browns and greens were best and these were on shoreline rocks with a decent break. I thought we'd get more around and under docks, but not to be.

Only one dink at 12", otherwise all fish were 14-18.5". Water temp was anywhere from 74-82. I'm going to assume the large pike are in cooler water as we found a fair number of hammer handle pike that were suicidal for topwater baits.

White Iron seemed to have slightly bigger fish on the chain. We caught fish in the wind and on the calm side and at all times of the day.

Beautiful country up there. Lastly, for newcomers, go slow and stay in the channels until you know the lakes a bit. There are lots of rocks and some deadheads that'll take out lower units.

DB

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Burntside yielded decent numbers and excellent size of lake trout in May, June, and early July via trolling, as well as an OK walleye bite, with smallies, of course, all over the place. smile

The last three weeks have seen a falloff in the walleye bite, as well as more difficult conditions for lakers. Part of this is because of the strange and low-pressure-ridden summer we've had, but also because late summer can get a bit tougher for both 'eyes and lakers on Burntside.

Some walleyes have been coming off reefs on slip bobbers and bottom bouncers/slip rigs, with leeches being the best choice for bait. Many of those 'eyes have been small. Lakers have been responding some days to vertical jigging off main lake humps/points, and other days trolling those same areas with spoons.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Labor Day weekend was the first time I've been back since the 4th of July - way too long. frown

There's a hint of Autumn in the air with the birches yellowing and the cool nights. Patchy frost warnings were out to greet Labor Day but it really wasn't that bad of a morning. I lightly cursed the weather man for giving me a reason to sleep in on what turned out to be the most beautiful morning of the weekend.

Saturday and Sunday were cool, cloudy and breezy. We fished Shags and Farm. Surface temps on Shags were about 70. We raised a few pike but not many. I did have one to the boat that was pushing 10 pounds but the Esox jig pulled out at the net. A perfect release except no pic.

A couple 3 lb smallies hit minnows in 10 ft of water. Lots of fish marked but few biters.

Farm was running about 68 degrees. 1 eater walleye decided a blue back Rapala was a good target in 6 fow. We graphed a lot of lake but few large fish - plenty of smaller stuff. Some more casting in the shallows produced 1 30in pike (released) that looked to be a silver phase, 1 18in smallie (released) and a couple more eater pike to round out fish dinner for the weekend.

It was good to be back. Visions of winter lake trout have begun dancing in my head. smile I started the snowmobiles before coming in tonight.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

Does anyone have any current ice condition reports for Burntside or Snowbank?? Is it safe for sleds, wheelers or trucks?? Any info will be greatly appreciated.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Burntside has about 8 inches in many spots, probably less by the Brownell Island area off the Van Vac Landing.

Looks like ATV or snowmobiles for the trout opener, and be careful.

A cold snap could change this, but I wouldn't think about taking a full size vehicle on it for at least another month.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great Outdoors,

Thanks for your ice report. I guess I'll keep chasing down the LOTW and Vermilion walleyes until we get some colder weather and more ice. I never was a fan of the "Arctic Plunge". Thanks again.

Bandit155

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Hello everyone. I have always been looking to catch the biggest and baddest fish I can find and have come to the realization that I must start laker fishing. I have all the gear I need, I think, and have all winter off of work. I live in Ely and am looking for any and all help and info I can get. I am hoping to get out a couple of times this week and would love for someone to let me tag along on a day trip sometime. Any help would be appreciated.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you for the link, after all of my searching I hadn't found that thread. What a lot of info to absorb! Now I just need to get on the ice. I think I'll stick to the spear house until it warms a little though... 15 below windchill does not excite me much.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thats good to know, thanks chaff. My replacement portable should be on its way so hopefully I'll be out soon... for now I'm heading to Grand Rapids to fish with a friend on Canisteo. Maybe I'll have some pics to post tomorrow night.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good luck. Next time I come up if you're around I'll try and help you but by no means am I an expert. Burntside has a way of humbling people just when you think you know something.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Burntside has a way of humbling people just when you think you know something.

Ain't that the truth. You can go from zero to hero back to zero for no apparent reason.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Similar Content

  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  The focus for many this week is the ongoing deer hunting season which is a big tradition in these parts, even for avid walleye anglers.  There were some that either already harvested their deer or are more into catching fall walleyes than hunting.     Those that are fishing are taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and excellent walleye and sauger bite that is happening across the lake.  Cold weather is in the forecast in the upcoming days and weeks so that is also getting many excited. The best depths on the south end of LOW are 22-28 feet of water.     Vertical jigging with frozen emerald shiners is catching most of the walleyes, saugers and jumbo perch.  Depending upon where on the lake you are fishing, some slots and big trophies are in the mix as well, but most reports are talking about good numbers of eaters.    Jumbo perch are coming in good numbers this fall which will serve ice anglers well.  Watch out for an occasional pike or even lake sturgeon mixed in with the walleyes.      There are good numbers of walleyes and saugers across the south shore which is setting up nicely for early ice.   On the Rainy River...  There continues to be good numbers of shiners in the river, and consequently, there are good walleyes in the river as well.     Walleyes along with saugers, pike and some sturgeon are coming in up and down the river.  Most walleyes are being caught in 10-25 feet of water in various stretches of the river.   Jigging with live or frozen emerald shiners is the key. Some anglers are also still slow trolling crankbaits upstream to cover more ground and find fish. Both methods are producing solid results. Sturgeon fishing remains strong.  The catch-and-release sturgeon fishing is open into the spring when it changes to the "keep season" on April 24th. Up at the NW Angle...  As temps are getting colder, most are in the woods hunting and not fall fishing, however, for those who bundle up, fishing continues to be excellent.     A nice mixed bag with walleyes, saugers, perch, pike and crappies being caught. Very good muskie fishing with the colder water temps and shorter days.  Some big fish and some good numbers are being caught amongst the islands.  Both casting and trolling is getting it done.  
    • gimruis
      I hunt in the rifle zone so I don't have a need to use a shotgun to hunt deer, but I would be looking at this if there was ever a need to.   There could be state legislation introduced next summer that eliminates the shotgun zone completely.  It has bipartisan support.  Wisconsin removed theirs years ago and MN is usually later to follow.  They've tried to pass it more than once and it came up just short both times.  Probably just a matter of time.
    • Wanderer
      Oh, h e l l no! 
    • leech~~
      Screw that, here's whatch need!  😆   Power-Shok Rifled Slug 10 Gauge 766 Grain Grain Weight: 766 Shotshell Length: 3-1/2in / 89mm Muzzle Velocity: 1280
    • Wanderer
      20 ga has become a real popular deer round in the last 5 or so years.  The rifled barrels are zinging those sabot slugs with rifle like accuracy out to 100 yards easily.  Some go so far as dialing in for a 200 yard shot but really, by 150 they’re falling off pretty low.   I have a single shot Ultraslug in 20 ga that shoots really well at 100 yards.  Most everyone I know that has bought a slug gun lately has gotten the Savage 220 in 20ga.  Problem can be finding the shells you want.
    • leech~~
      My son always bugs me about getting a nice light over-under 20ga for grouse hunting.  I say Heck no, I'm getting a 3 1/2" 10ga so I can put as much lead in the air that I can!!     So, I'm keeping my 12ga.  
    • 11-87
      That’s almost exactly what I was thinking.  Have slug barrels for both   One for turkey and one for deer.      I have a 20ga mosseberg as well. (Combo came with the scope but never used.   I always liked the 12 better
    • leech~~
      Wanderer is right on the money and covered it well.  I was wondering too if you had a slug barrel for one of your guns?  If so you could make that your slug gun with a scope, and the other your turkey gun with the Red dot.  As you can afford it. 
    • Wanderer
      Kinda depends on if you want magnification or quick target acquisition.   More magnification options and better accuracy with a scope.  You get what you pay for too so get comfortable with a budget for one.  Tasco and Bushnell work but I find they lose their zero easier, have low contrast and don’t gather light well in low light conditions.  That said, I’m still using one I haven’t replaced yet.  Vortex has been the hot brand for the past several years for bang for the buck.  Good products.  Nothing beats Swarovski though.  Huge dough for those.  Burris is another decent option.   There are some specific models for shotgun/slug hunting in the economy brands and bullet drop compensation (BDC) reticles.  Based on experience I’d recommend not falling for that marketing ploy.   Red dots are usually lower magnification and easier to get on target.  Reasonably accurate but don’t do well with definition, like searching the brush for your target.  I put a HAWKE red dot on a .22 for squirrels and it’s been good.  For turkey, that’s probably the route I’d go.     If your slug shots are normally not too far and too brushy, I’d think a red dot could work there too if you’re only buying 1 scope.  You’ll be better off dimming the reticle to the lowest setting you can easily use to not over shine the target and get a finer aim point.   If you don’t have a slug barrel, you might appreciate one of those.  I had a browning with a smoothbore slug barrel that shot Brenneke 2-3/4 inch well.  The 11-87 would well fitted with a cantelever rifled barrel. 
    • 11-87
      Looking for recommendations on scope or red dot    I basically hunt turkey and whitetail, live in southern MN. So it’s all deer/ shotgun    looking to add a scope/ red dot as my eyes don’t work like they used to to with the open sights.    my gun options are 11/87 12. Browning BPS 12    not looking for the most expensive or the cheapest    pros and cons of one over the other
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.