Going to be making a very short trip to Ely the week after fishing opener in May. I'll be arriving in Ely around noon, checking into a bunkhouse for the night, and hitting Basswood with my fishing boat at the crack of dawn the following day. I'm looking for recommendations on where to fish in the Ely area the afternoon/night before. I'm kind of bouncing between Burntside, Snowbank, and Vermillion. I will primarily be targeting walleye on Basswood the following day, so I'm leaning toward B-side or Snowbank to target trout. I guess Trout Lake is a possibility as well.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

All the big lakes that you have mentioned will be cold water in May. Walleye action will likely be slow, unless you can find some moving water. I'd look for and target smaller, warmer lakes that time of year.

Good thoughts B#3. I'm somewhat limited with a fishing boat, but I'll do some research on smaller lakes with ramp access in the area. I'm not really familiar with Ely in general, have always gone up the Gunflint side.

If I'm chasing lake trout the night before, cold water with some shoreline warming action could present a great chance to cast to them instead of trolling like we do in June. So in that sense the big lakes could be on point?

Basswood the next day -- maybe you're right, but people have been enjoying productive fishing openers on that lake for years. It'll be my first time on Basswood but just looking at the maps, it's not hard to figure out where the warmer water will be.

Oh yes, I see... targeting lake trout the night before.

I think I would be hitting Burntside out from the landing and trolling the south shoreline. And near the islands straight north from the landing.

Burntside will save you a little running around time and driving compared to Vermillion and Snowbank.

Good Luck!

Umm....walleye or trout? I would target trout both days. If you’re set on walleye, Burntside would be the easiest access the night before.

B#3 -- Which access do you recommend, the one to the west of Camp Van Vac off 404, or the one to the east off 88? I was actually thinking the north side of the lake with the shoreline exposed to southern sun would warm the quickest. Wondering if the NE landing would make most sense, with access to some shallower water near shore as well, and still close enough to blueberry island area? That southern shoreline looks like it drops off very quickly.

Egknuti -- I am usually all about the trout, so the afternoon/eve before, that's the plan.

I am making an exception and chasing walleye the following day on Basswood. I'm trying to expand my horizons this year and for me that means slummin' it with the walleyes a bit.

If I was targeting lake trout, I'd use the landing west of Camp Van Vac. I think in cold water the lakers may be cruising along the south shoreline. I'd also check just off the east side of Brownell Island and the south side of Lost Girl Island. I've marked fish that I thought were trout in these areas, but never connected.

I am thinking you would be trolling?

Without a doubt below the fall lake powerdamn.

bobbernumber3: "If I was targeting lake trout, I'd use the landing west of Camp Van Vac. I think in cold water the lakers may be cruising along the south shoreline. I'd also check just off the east side of Brownell Island and the south side of Lost Girl Island. I've marked fish that I thought were trout in these areas, but never connected.


I am thinking you would be trolling?"

Thanks sir. I'l continue to ask around, but it seems like the north shoreline would have better exposure to southern sun and would warm up more quickly than the south shore. There could be other factors at play though, every lake is a little different.

We run a pretty heaving trolling program in June on the GFT when we target lake trout. This is the earliest in the season I've targeted them and I'm hoping to find them shallow enough to cast spoons and smelt-y crank baits at them. Probably start out by trolling and then switch to casting if/when fish are located.

Frankie_Paull: "Without a doubt below the fall lake powerdamn. "

Thanks Frankie. I'm targeting lake trout, but I have heard the dam is a good bet for walleyes. Although not really the experience I'm seeking on this trip, looking to get away from the crowds a bit more than that. (We spend a lot of time fishing walleye below dams on the Miss river every year here)

thegildedgopher: ".... it seems like the north shoreline would have better exposure to southern sun and would warm up more quickly than the south shore. "

Yes. A little warmer water in late May would be good for walleyes. As water warms, the cruising lake trout will move out to cooler water. When water is cold to cool, lake trout can be found in unusual and shallow areas. As surface water warms, they move to more traditional locations. I don't think looking for warmer water is a good strategy in late May (or anytime) for lake trout.

bobbernumber3: "

thegildedgopher: ".... it seems like the north shoreline would have better exposure to southern sun and would warm up more quickly than the south shore. "

Yes. A little warmer water in late May would be good for walleyes. As water warms, the cruising lake trout will move out to cooler water. When water is cold to cool, lake trout can be found in unusual and shallow areas. As surface water warms, they move to more traditional locations. I don't think looking for warmer water is a good strategy in late May (or anytime) for lake trout."

I get what you're saying, for sure. But when I say "warmer water" I mean relatively speaking. Like maybe shoreline areas are 50 instead of mid-40s -- still very well within the comfort range for lake trout. Those small pockets of warm water is where the forage will be, and the lake trout will definitely cruise in shallow to get them.

I guess a lot depends on what type of year it is weather-wise. If we get an early-mid May ice-out I'll be golden to chase trout shallow, and I'll be seeking the "warm" pockets to find aggressive feeders. If we have April Fool's ice out, then yes they will have pushed deep again by the time I get there.

thegildedgopher: "

bobbernumber3: "

thegildedgopher: ".... it seems like the north shoreline would have better exposure to southern sun and would warm up more quickly than the south shore. "

Yes. A little warmer water in late May would be good for walleyes. As water warms, the cruising lake trout will move out to cooler water. When water is cold to cool, lake trout can be found in unusual and shallow areas. As surface water warms, they move to more traditional locations. I don't think looking for warmer water is a good strategy in late May (or anytime) for lake trout."

I get what you're saying, for sure. But when I say "warmer water" I mean relatively speaking. Like maybe shoreline areas are 50 instead of mid-40s -- still very well within the comfort range for lake trout. Those small pockets of warm water is where the forage will be, and the lake trout will definitely cruise in shallow to get them.


I guess a lot depends on what type of year it is weather-wise. If we get an early-mid May ice-out I'll be golden to chase trout shallow, and I'll be seeking the "warm" pockets to find aggressive feeders. If we have April Fool's ice out, then yes they will have pushed deep again by the time I get there."

Ahh, yes... the baitfish angle. Great idea!

When fish are out in deeper water, my partner and I always watch for baitfish on the surface and troll there. Or where the loons seem to be feeding.

Not in the B-Dub but Cedar Lake is a good walleye lake. Only fished lake trout once and it was in the Q.

Shagwa right next to town is a good walleye lake.

Shagawa is a walleye factory.