Welcome to our Ely, MN Home Page
Ely, Minnesota offers some of the finest outdoor adventures in the United States. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area provides some of the most spectacular fishing you’ll ever experience. The opportunities are endless in this region. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is the largest wilderness preserve east of the Rocky Mountains. You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy these waters. There are many canoe outfitters that can help you with all of the details of planning a trip into the Boundary Waters. You will also find numerous resorts along the lakes in the Ely area.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area
Ely, Minnesota is located right at the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. There are plenty of lakes in Ely that allow boat and motors on them, but once you get into the Boundary Waters, motorized usage is very limited and only allowed on certain lakes. Last I checked, some of the lakes have 10 hp limits, some have 25 hp limits and some do not have limits. Canoe trips are very popular in this area and there are many canoe outfitters that can help you plan a great trip to the Boundary Waters. I highly recommend you find a professional that has a lot of experience guiding these waters, so you can maximize your time on the water up here. For your safety, it’s probably best to do your first trip up here with a guide. Many people come to this area year after year and they hire a guide every time they come back, but there are plenty of people that rent a canoe and do it without the help of a guide. However you plan to do it, do your research and enjoy your time on the water.
Motor Restrictions
The Ely, Minnesota area has several lakes that allow fishing with a boat and motor. This area is also where many anglers come to experience the Boundary Waters Canoe Area where motors are not allowed. Most anglers don’t want to plan a week fishing vacation and have to fish from a canoe the entire week, so the lakes that allow fishing with a boat and motor will give you the option to experience the Boundary Waters Canoe Area while also fishing in a boat and motor. Some of the lakes that have fishing resorts with boat rentals are Big Lake, Burntside Lake, Garden Lake, White Iron Lake, Farm Lake, Birch Lake and Bear Island Lake.
Primary Species of Fish
Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike & Walleye
This area is known for its tremendous smallmouth bass, walleye and northern pike fisheries. Some lakes are better than others, but if you take this area as a whole, there are a lot of places where you can fish and do well for smallies, pike and walleye. Good numbers are possible and trophy fish too.
Secondary Species of Fish
Perch, Crappie & Bluegill
There are panfish throughout the area lakes and many anglers target them. It’s tough to get passed the pike, smallmouth bass and walleye in this area though.
