Ely - Babbitt Fishing Reports - Lake Conditions Too.

[Wanderer]

We were up the week of the 4th. The swimming was wonderful! Mid to upper 70's water temps.

We're more shallow casters than deeper fishers and didn't do REAL well. We also didn't hit the evening bite so that might have something to do with our poorer results. We've HEARD the fishing was good though. So that must mean walleyes.

I've found that one of the big three gamefish (walleye, northern, smallies) is always doing well at any given time of the summer around Ely so that's why I usually fish for them all. I just like to have fish pull my string.

BTW, not doing REAL well in our terms is <20 fish per day.

[WollMan]

Mainly fish for eye's and have only caught a couple sunnies and that was by accident but I would try weed lines and back in bays for perch and sunnies. Also could try bobber fishing for pike in same areas. As far as back country campsites I only know of the ones that are on the lake should be marked on a good map, they are all over the place.

[Narwhal]

As far as the lake maps and campsites, I have a St. Louis County fishing map guide (a book from sportsmans connection). It has good detail on structure and depths, and also marks a bunch of campsites on shore and islands. Also has tons of details on many, many lakes in St. Louis county. Wollman is right, they are all over. I see quite a few house boats pull up to them but there is no shortage, you will have no problem finding a nice one.

Wollman, yeah, I usually go for walleyes there to. Havent had a lot of luck on other fish though. lots of eater sized eyes and the occasional hog, but have yet to find something to keep the little one occupied for very long.

Thanks

[Narwhal]

Gurkster, I forgot to say, as far as fishing goes lindy rig style fishing- or any variation of that has worked best for me in the past. A bottom bouncer with floats, beads, spinner, ect on a mono leader works well. I also have done well with a plain slow death hook on a 3-4ft leader. Crawlers have been the ticket for most of the area lakes. you can try leaches to.

I dont know where you are staying but I have only fished the babbit side of the lake. there are some reefs near the public acess marked by buoy's that produce a few fish. Also a few good drop offs/ transition areas around there.

Feel free to PM me also

[fishdaddy]

Headed up to the area with the family next week and staying on moose lake. Have had great luck with pike and smalls, ok with the eyes. Have tried other lakes in the area with same results. Anyone willing to share some tips for the eyes this time of year? This will be the latest in the year I've gone. We will be spending most our time on moose but would be willing to try a different lake if someone has a better option.

Thanks and good fishing!

[Narwhal]

anyone fish birch recently? heading there this weekend with the family. any idea of the water temps and depths you have been seeing fish?

Thanks!

[gurkster]

We are back. We had a great trip. Fishing was slow, but we managed a few of everything. 2 of my kids got their PB Bass and they all got into some nice sunfish (8" - 10") with a couple 12" crappies in the mix. Walleyes were slow, but we got a couple of them also. My oldest daughter got her PB northern too, so not quantities of fish but quality was there - from our perspective. Thanks for the info!

[saunasisu]

Any reports for Birch. Haven't seen much in a while, will be fishing it Saturday.

Thanks!

[finnbay]

Been slow for eye's this last week. Bass have been active around rock piles in 8-12 feet of water.

[saunasisu]

Thanks Hoops! Looking for eyes, the TH fishing league is coming to town.

[finnbay]

Good luck to your team! Let me know how you come out. Might have a cold Honey Weiss in the fridge!

[goblueM]

If a guy was targeting pike out on Birch for only a day, what general pattern would he be looking for? Weedlines, back bays, points? Probably will be up by the dam outlet for the Kawish, never been on the lake before

[thompsonz28]

Heading to birch this weekend for a cast and blast, just wondering if the jig/minnow bite is going yet, I'm guessing with the colder temps that would be the preferred presentation. Anybody been out recently?

[Mike Stark]

checked shagawa today. most i found was 3in but the top layer was not good. found one spot where the spud bar went through with one hit. there was one guy fishing solo out from the GEL. not enough ice for me!

[deadeye]

Any word on ice on the little lakes in the area (One Pine, Johnson ect)? Maybe Birch Lake? I was thinking about heading up tomorrow AM to check it out and figured I should ask before I commit to going..

[Mike Stark]

i have heard the same things about one pine and birch. 3in but the top layer is no good.

we probably won't have good ice for while with this warm up that is coming.

[finnbay]

Birch has between 2 and 3 inches, but is very spotty. Haven't seen anyone out there yet, so must not be enough! :-)

[deadeye]

Hey thanks for the heads up guys. I will maybe wait till next weekend then. I have a couple spots in mind but its quite a hike to find out I can't get out on the ice LOL. That would be a bummer.

What have you got for snow on the ground? Would pulling a sled on a portage possible or more of a backpack kind of a deal right now?

[Mike Stark]

Hey thanks for the heads up guys. I will maybe wait till next weekend then. I have a couple spots in mind but its quite a hike to find out I can't get out on the ice LOL. That would be a bummer.

What have you got for snow on the ground? Would pulling a sled on a portage possible or more of a backpack kind of a deal right now?

Right now there is enough snow for pulling a sled but that may change over the next few days. The forecast is not looking good for the snow and ice.

[walleyemaster08]

Checked a couple little lakes by bear island this morning. One had about two inches on it. The other had 3 inches on it with open spots of water. Hopefully next weekend the ice will be safe!!!!

[deadeye]

Yeah I am going to play it safe and wait till next weekend. Was going to just go grouse hunting if the ice was a flop but I really want to be on the ice. Usually once people are out on the little lakes around Ely the ones I hike into are solid. I guess for now I will have to be satisfied with the ice fishing show LOL.

Thanks again for the reports!

[Mike Stark]

I think next weekend would be the very earliest we would be on the ice. Not sure if we are even going to be able to do that.

[Silver Scale]

Webcam looks like part of Big Bay opened back up yesterday. Warm weather this week isnt going to help much.

[finnbay]

I think it's too early as well. On the other hand, I saw people out on Shagawa, Johnson and Birch today.

[Mike Stark]

I would not be out on that ice. It has to be soft after being above freezing all day yesterday and all of last night. Be safe out there.

[Mike Stark]

went and checked out shagawa. lots of standing water. it was good to see that no one was out on the ice. i think we are going to lose all the snow off the lakes. especially if we get rain tomorrow. one good thing about no snow on the ice is that once it gets cold the lakes should start make some good ice.

[finnbay]

I agree, Mike!

[Mike Stark]

snow on the lakes is gone. tons of standing water on the ice. not much snow left on the ground either. time to start over.

[Mike Stark]

lakes are locked up with no snow on top. 10 degrees this morning. cold again tomorrow night. we are making ice again!

[deadeye]

Sweet! I will probably be up this Sunday and try it out. If all else fails I at least can get some grouse hunting done and get some ciscos.