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Mad_Angler
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Leeches.
They are very easy to keep and hard to kill. Crawlers and especially minnows are very easy to kill (speaking from many heartbreaking experiences).
But... you can kill leeches too. I killed my first batch in 20 trips last week. I kept the leeches in a leech locker. I left the locker on shore for most of a very hot day. Nearly all the leeches died. The best approach is to buy a pound and keep them in a leech locker in the water. Then, just grab a handful to take fishing. Keep those in a leech tamer...
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TheGreatIndoors
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Salted minnows! Much easier...
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WhiteWolf
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Leeches.
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yogi59weedr
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Minnows
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Savage Voyageur
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I would suggest bringing leeches and crawlers. They both have been successful this time of year for me.
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bobbernumber3
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Leeches on the Gunflint side, crawlers on the Ely side... seriously.
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yogi59weedr
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Adam. Gopher. Call me yogi.
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yogi59weedr
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I always thought..... May minnows June leaches July leeches and crawlers.
I always take all. Can't have to many tools on the belt. But I do a boat now .
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thegildedgopher
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bobbernumber3: "Leeches on the Gunflint side, crawlers on the Ely side... seriously."
Ok, expand on that.
I’m supposed to fish ely next weekend and was thinking minnows made most sense.
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bobbernumber3
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thegildedgopher: "bobbernumber3: "Leeches on the Gunflint side, crawlers on the Ely side... seriously."
Ok, expand on that.
I’m supposed to fish ely next weekend and was thinking minnows made most sense."
After 20 years off the Gunflint Trail and only using leeches, I've made 6 trips to Ely. Walleyes just ignored the leeches around Ely, but are aggressive on crawlers. Just my experience. And I've never tried minnows.
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thegildedgopher
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bobbernumber3: "thegildedgopher: "bobbernumber3: "Leeches on the Gunflint side, crawlers on the Ely side... seriously."
Ok, expand on that.
I’m supposed to fish ely next weekend and was thinking minnows made most sense."
After 20 years off the Gunflint Trail and only using leeches, I've made 6 trips to Ely. Walleyes just ignored the leeches around Ely, but are aggressive on crawlers. Just my experience. And I've never tried minnows."
Interesting. I ask because this year will be my first on the Ely side.
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pastorjsackett
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We always use Leeches on Ely side and do fine. Leaving for Crooked in one week armed with leeches, crawlers and some salted minnows just in case. And lots of other artificials!
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trailchief
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I have done just fine with leeches on the Ely side in May. And I have taken crawlers in August with no issues. Like stated above keep 'em moist and cool and they will be fine. If you get them from VNO you get them in a Styrofoam container that they put a piece of peat moss on top. You just take that out occasionally and dunk it in the lake and squeeze out the excess. Worked great! Also I'm taking both. You just never know. And if they are short biting. Its hard to beat a cut crawler.
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Beavercreek56
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Going in on entry 14 and never tried minnows. Always heard leeches don’t work near Ely. Thoughts on best time to fish, morning or evening?
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ericinely
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Bring both and minnows if you want the hassle of keeping them alive...I think anyone who says leeches don't work on the Ely side is misguided at best. Every lake is different and provides different forage. At times I have noticed fish bite better on crawlers or leeches or minnows, but I have never heard of one type of bait not working at all for fish in a specific geographic area-it doesn't make sense.
One of the best days of fishing I have ever had was in July last year (in BWCA on Ely side) when I caught four pig walleyes over 20" in three hours (in addition to a bunch of fiesty 3-4lbs smallmouth) and my personal best at 29". I couldn't get the walleyes to bite dragging a crawler on a harness or trolling crankbaits, but they were absolutely crushing a medium leech and a small 1/8oz green jig head.
It really just depends on the mood of the fish and what is in season at their favorite buffet. General rule of thumb for me is minnows in May, switch to leeches as soon as they are available at the bait shop (usually June) and mix in crawlers as often as I can (generally most productive mid-june through mid-august.
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yogi59weedr
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Fake news. Middle of June I've caught many wallys on leeches.
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Flambeau7Lambo
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Leeches.
3 years ago was on Insula for fishing opener weekend and had no complaints about leeches in early May.
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WhiteWolf
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Keep'em cool - obviously out of the sun - but not directly in contact with ice- or in my case - dry ice, which smoked them. Place the container in the shade , add some coolness via cold mulch or whatever debris the campsite offers,, only bring in the canoe what you think you will use as they will likely get smoked in daylight hours.
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bobbernumber3
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Beavercreek56: "...Always heard leeches don’t work near Ely..."
What can you add to this comment. It seems so odd to me, but leeches don't work for me around Ely. Maybe certain lakes?
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IowaGuy55
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Wondering if any of you have thoughts on how to keep night-crawlers fresh. Going on a 7 day trip in June & will be taking leeches & crawlers. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks!
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Beavercreek56
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bobbernumber3
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yogi59weedr: "Fake news. Middle of June I've caught many wallys on leeches."
Musta been them "lucky leeches" I loaned you!
Oh wait, you traded me a great IPA!
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yogi59weedr
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Yes.i didn't make it to Fall lake last year. Rented a house in town. I think I seen you were going up a little early june.
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