Teach me about the ely area?

[10point]

I'm from Indiana and have been going to Canada for the last 6 years. We have been going to a place that is good for smallmouth but not really much else. For that reason it's pretty cheap but I'm looking to maybe make a change and have been thinking about Minnesota. I believe a lot of the area around Ely is canoe only? I have an aluminum boat with a 9.9 motor. Any suggestions on any places I could look at going to? 

[ozzie]

There are area's in the BWCA that allow motors.  Both Saginagaw and Basswood have 25hp n under restrictions and are both lakes that hold nice walleyes, northerns, and smallmouth bass.  If I were you I would look into Basswood trip.  You portage on a trailer and it is a nice scenic lake.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

There are many, many lakes in the Ely area that your boat will work fine on!

Pick the kind of fish that you want to catch and there is probably many lakes that will fill the bill close by!

The hard part is trying to decide which one to try!

Cliff

 

[I fish, therefore I lie]

Draw a triangle connecting Finland, Isabella, and Sawbill lake and you'll cover just about anything you'd want to catch. Use the MNDNR's lake finder to see what swims in any lake you're interested in. Many of those smaller lakes don't have the landings to handle today's larger, heavier, deeper fishing boats, so you won't have the kind of competition you'd expect on the larger lakes. You didn't mention if you were a roughing-it type, or a lodger, but there are dozens of lakes with USFS campsites on them. Good luck.

[10point]

2 hours ago, I fish, therefore I lie said:

Draw a triangle connecting Finland, Isabella, and Sawbill lake and you'll cover just about anything you'd want to catch. Use the MNDNR's lake finder to see what swims in any lake you're interested in. Many of those smaller lakes don't have the landings to handle today's larger, heavier, deeper fishing boats, so you won't have the kind of competition you'd expect on the larger lakes. You didn't mention if you were a roughing-it type, or a lodger, but there are dozens of lakes with USFS campsites on them. Good luck.

I would be looking for lodging. Nothing fancy. 

[climbmda]

We have stayed on Burntside several times.  Not lights out fishing, but have had varying success with Walleye, smallmouth, lakers.

[borg0196]

Burntside is great, or you can stay right in town and fish Shagawa Lake with Miners lake across the street. Shagawa has lots of species in it, Miners is stocked with trout. You can stay at the Grand Ely Lodge, which is right on the lake. White Iron is another good option, along with any of the rivers in the area. Farm Lake and Bear Head Lake are a little further, (20 minutes from Ely), and Bear Head is in the State Park. I believe that Saganaga is on the other side of the BWCA.

[monstermoose78]

Birch lake is a solid choice for eye smallies crappies and pike. Little long lake has good sized gills if you look for them as well as walleyes smallie largies pike think open water rolling with smelt colored baits.  

Take a drive up the echo trail to Ed shave lake or big lake. You will not be able to fish them all.