Walleye Fishing Tips for Bear Island Lake near Ely Minnesota

PO Box 328
Ely, MN 55731

800-777-4406
218-827-2501

BEAR ISLAND LAKE IN PRESS!
Minnesota Sportsman Magazine
May 2008

Many know and have experienced the thrill of Walleye fishing on Bear Island Lake--here is what the sportsman magazine and the DNR had to say about it:

Located northwest of Babbitt, Bear Island Lake sits atop the great continental divide. It is a large, sprawling lake sandwiched between the Vermilion and Mesabi ranges full of arms, points and islands, not to mention a healthy supply of walleyes. “It’s considered one of our area’s better walleye lakes,” said Joe Geis, DNR fisheries manager in Tower. There are three accesses on the 2,351-acre lake, two at the northeast corner and one on the southwest shore. Anglers may choose which side of the lake to access and maximize their fishing time rather than running across the lake. This is critical, since Bear Island walleyes are plentiful but can be difficult to find, Geis said. “It’s a very clear lake, so low-light periods are going to be better and you’ll probably do better on overcast days, but if baitfish are up in the shallow, walleyes will be there as well, even on a bright, sunny day,” he said. Tulibees and perch make up the majority of a walleye’s diet, helping them grow faster than those in other area lakes. The 2001 year-class is the strongest, although DNR surveys found a total of 10 year-classes.

Basic Walleye Fishing Tips

When walleyes are hungary they will bite on most anything, but at such times artificial baits may make a full stringer come more easily.

When fishing is slow, live bait such as a minnow, leech or worms are often more productive.

Day in and day out it is very hard to beat a baited jig, tied directly to your line (no leader) and worked along the bottom.

For some reason baited jigs without feathers seems to work better than those with feathers.

When using a jig spoon, jig it hard without bait or work it in short tantalizing twitches with bait.

When using a minnow, hook it through the nose when casting or trolling or under the bac k fin when fishing below the boat or through the ice.

Walleyes are bottom feeders, keep your bait within one foot of the bottom.

In the spring time, look for walleyes in realtively shallow water (6' to 8') near spawning locations.

In the summer, try deeper water (12' to 30' or even more) but don't overlook such feeding spots as sandbars, reefs or along weedbeds-especially early morning, at noon or in the evening.

In the winter, look for walleyes in deeper holes in the daytime (over 15') or on sandbars or nearer shore early in the morning, in the evening or after dark).

Owned and Operated By:
Gary and Marie Vogt since 2001
PO Box 328 - Ely MN 55731
Telephone: 218-827-2501
Email: northernlightslodge@frontiernet.net