I was just wondering what you could tell me about ice fishing ely. Ive been itching to get out and it looks like ely might be fishable next week if all goes well. Any lakes, pointers, tips?
-andrew
btw, thanks for the phone interview. It helped out alot.

Shagawa Lake, next to Ely is usually pretty good for early ice walleyes.
Looks like it'd be about the 10th or later before the ice close to the shore is decent.
I would not try the middle of the lake unless some sub zero weather hits for two to three days.

TGO, you ever hear about or try Big Lake up the Echo in winter? Seems like it could be a decent drive-to ice fishing lake.

I don't ever think I heard about anyone fishing Big Lake in the winter, for whatever reason.
Could be the 20 mile drive up the Echo Trail on slippery roads that scares people off?? :)
Wood Lake off the Fernberg Road is a decent Pike Lake, if you want to walk a bit for your fishing.

Lundo if your looking for big panfish, Elephant, Ash, or Pelican west of Ely are all top notch !

TGO- is there parking at the wood lake entry once the snow piles up?

I'm not sure. I'll check with the snow plow operator next time I see him and get back to you.

Wood lake parking lot is plowed in the winter.

Thanks TGO and Basspro. I've tip-up fished Wood many times, since about 1982. It is very reliable. Lots of fish, a few nicer ones, and I saw some kids with a 20 + pounder there about ten years ago now. Smelt typically out-perform suckers. I have done well on walleye there in the summer- you ever hear of anybody pimpling up a few 'eyes in the winter? Or is Shagawa about as good as anywhere for winter walleye? Thanks.

Basspro
I just saw on the woodpecker thread that you live in Pine City. I used to live on the west side of Cross Lake. I hear that there are some walleyes biting now around that deep hole where the river runs into Cross. Buddy of mine's friend got a 27" a few weeks ago.

I have heard of walleyes being caught in Wood during the winter, and one young fellow caught a 47 inch pike last year through the ice.

That has got to be an adventure getting a 47" fish thru a ten inch hole. I hope I get the chance soon.

I think it was smaller than a 10 inch hole. I'll check next time he comes home.
He lives in Rochester Mn so only gets back for the Holidays and vacation.

Wow! You don't want to be doing that if you have a bad ticker. My pulse would be 160/min if I was trying to get a big gator through a small hole like that.

Hey Lundo the outflow on cross is also really good at this time of year, even though its shallow you can get some really nice eyes in there. The only problem with the area is theres so many lakes to fish that are good, theres just not enough time, but then thats a good problem.