Lake trout are hitting on Knife Lake this week. BWCA travelers reported using silver/blue spoons with an egg sinker ahead of the spoon going down 30-40 feet while trolling. Early morning and evening hours were best times.

Leeches and night crawlers are picking up as the bait of choice for walleyes and bass. Bass are just beginning to move into their summer feeding habits and hitting on top water while on some lakes the bass are still on their nests. Be prepared to change your fishing tactics to try both 6-8 feet down and on top water.

Lake trout caught on Burntside lake, Ely MN

Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters and Bait Shop, Ely MN has a wide choice of minnows, leeches, night crawlers and wax worms. Open 6am-9pm daily for your one-stop shop for fishing, canoe rental, outfitting, maps, live bait, tackle, Columbia Sportswear and footwear, Teva sandals, camping gear and more.

The big ones are being caught: Lakers, walleye, northern pike this past week. Minnows are hot...fathead chubs, rainbow chubs, shiners and pike suckers.

Good news is that many anglers are doing CPR with their catch...Catch, Photograph and Releasing. Remember the big ones deserve to be caught again!

Angler Contest
Bring in or email your fish photos to Spirit of the Wilderness (info@elycanoetrips.com) and we will enter you in the free Ely area Angler Contest. We accept both released or kept fish images.

Be sure to include your name, address, type of fish, measurements, what lake you caught it on and what bait or lure you used.

Not one, but two on the same day; 29 and 29 3/4 inch lakers

 Caught on Burntside lake

Paula W. first Lake trout and she was excited!

Larry B. 28.5" walleye caught & released on Bear Head Lake