Bear Island Lake

[BFD]

Heading up in late Aug. Anyone guide this lake? Any tips? Looking at the map ilt looks like the shallow stump bay on the southeast would be good for pike, and the river inlet for pike & smallmouth. Any other ideas for these species & walleye.

[BFD]

This is obviosly not a well known lake. Anyone ever fished bear island? No guides available? Thanks

[BFD]

We must have picked the wrong lake..... Any other lakes where we might have success?

[royalwolf]

I've been on it... if I recall right, it's more of a wide spot in the Cloquet than a major lake. But it was very scenic and I'm sure holds fish just like the other cloquet lakes up there (white lake, indian lake). In late august you will probably do best in the channel near the river inlet like you say.

As I recall it was pretty rocky and clear water... been a few years. Anyhow there's lots of lakes to explore up there, but I don't know of any guiding opportunites.

Hope that helps some

EDIT: Oops, I'm apparently thinking of a different Bear Island Lake. Sorry! LOL

[FISHINGFARMER]

BFD: Are you asking about the lake south of Ely near Babbit?

Have stayed and fished on that one, let me know which one.

Farmer

[ZapBranigan]

We get up to fish Birch Lake out of Babbitt couple of times a year. The locals we meet with take us to many lakes in the area, which ever ones are hot at the time. They have always recommended we stay off this one. Never seems to be hot. So if you cannot get any thing going head up the road towards Ely and try out Johnson Lake. The shallow bay in the north east corner. Work the very obvious weed line for a mixed bag of anything. We drag rainbow minnows on Lindys or just on jigs. Keep em movin. switch to small leeches to pick up sunfish along with every other kind of fish the area has to offer. Let us know how Bear Island is cause I keep getting waved off of this. If Birch is dead we usually end up going up the Echo Trail. Search Big Lake and or Ceder lake in these forums for tactics. Good luck and I just thought I'd throw out an option to ya just in case.

[BFD]

F-Farmer,

Yes the lake is by Babbit. I am joining a couple friends and we found the resort through the internet. It looks promising on the DNR wbsite but just like the other poster it seems that knowone fishes there. Any help would be appreciated. I will send my email address if you can help.

Thanks!!

PS: Where are you in Iowa?

[FISHINGFARMER]

BFD:

Send address if you want. I'll let you know as much as I can. Address it Bear Island, so we know it's you and won't delete it. We only fished it once, that was last year. Usually try new lakes around ely each season. Always have one or two we really like for numbers. Bear Island was really good for smallies and pike when we went. Walleye was slow so we went down to Birch a few times to get a meal or two.

We live in central Iowa, near the town of Perry for your info.

Farmer

[FISHINGFARMER]

BFD: I meant to say post it and I'll address it Bear Island,so you won't delete it.

Farmer

[BFD]

Thanks.... I live near Davenport, IA.

[email protected]

I am an avid smallmouth fisherman and pike fishing is always fun.

Any info would be greatly appreciated. Walleye numbers looked good on the DNR website but they could be anywhere I guess.

Where do you usually stay up there?

Thank you very much.

[winks]

BFD, I've stayed on Bear Island over the July 4th week the past 3 years. Every year we seem to hit a mayfly hatch and fishing has never been "hot". I can't say that I spend alot of time on the water, couple hours in the morning and a few in the evening. Smallmouth and pike can always be found. We have found a few walleyes and last year we found a few crappies. Maybe this year we'll miss the hatch and do better. Its a beautiful lake and I know there's fish in it they're tough to find and get to bite. Good luck!

[Ely Lake Expert]

BFD,

I don't know much about the lake, but I can tell you that my dad has a 31.5 walleye on the wall that came out of there a few years back.

[BFD]

Sounds nice.... Thanks for your help. If we don't have luck on Bear Island we can drive 5 miles to 50 other options.