5-18-2021 Ely Area Fishing Report

May 18, 2021  |  By Arrowhead Outdoors

Walleye – Opener was excellent for some, tough for many.  Sunny, calm and warmer then usual water temps meant walleyes were not going to be located in there usual opener locations.  Anglers looking for walleyes in their usual opener locations were disappointed.  Successful anglers found walleyes in locations they normally would find them around memorial day.  15-20 feet of water was the key depth where walleyes were located during the day.  Quarter ounce jig tipped with a minnow, has been the best producing technique for successful anglers. 

Pike – Pike anglers have been catching good numbers of very large pike so far.  Anglers fishing large suckers under a bobber, over large shallow flats/weedbeds, have been reporting excellent catches.  Anglers fishing off the dock have also been experiencing this excellent bite. 

Smallmouth – Smallmouth anglers have been finding bass up in shallow water, later in the day when the water temps warm up.  These smallies have been hitting suspending jerk baits or tube baits fished slow. Bass are being found near downed trees, shallow sand flats, where they are looking to spawn soon.

Stream Trout – Stream trout anglers found good fishing this weekend. Simple night crawler fished under a bobber accounted for most of the trout caught over the weekend. Anglers fishing from shore also caught trout with small spoons, jig and twisters.