Minnesota Fishing Guide

Elbow

St. Louis County, Minnesota — DOW #69074400

141 Surveys
1,695.11
Acres
60 ft
Max Depth
0
12
Fish Species
33
Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Elbow. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Yellow Perch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1998-08-12 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.4 – 1.9 0.16 lb 7
1998-08-12 Standard gill nets 2.3 (normal) 1.9 – 7.1 0.21 lb 27
1988-08-12 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.4 – 1.9 0.27 lb 9
1988-08-12 Standard gill nets 1.6 (below normal) 1.9 – 7.1 0.31 lb 19
2008-08-11 Standard gill nets 2.7 (normal) 1.9 – 7.1 0.15 lb 40
2003-08-18 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.4 – 1.9 0.30 lb 4
2003-08-18 Standard gill nets 2.3 (normal) 1.9 – 7.1 0.20 lb 27
1986-08-25 Standard trap nets 1.8 (normal) 0.4 – 1.9 0.11 lb 21
1986-08-25 Standard gill nets 2.4 (normal) 1.9 – 7.1 0.13 lb 29
1992-08-10 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.4 – 1.9 0.15 lb 2
1992-08-10 Standard gill nets 2.6 (normal) 1.9 – 7.1 0.16 lb 31
2013-07-08 1/4-in trap nets 0.8 — — 15
2013-07-22 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.4 – 1.9 0.39 lb 9
2013-07-22 Standard gill nets 0.4 (below normal) 1.9 – 7.1 0.21 lb 5

Northern Pike

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1998-08-12 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 1.2 – 3.6 1.65 lb 2
1998-08-12 Standard trap nets 0.1 — 5.73 lb 1
1988-08-12 Standard gill nets 1.3 (normal) 1.2 – 3.6 2.75 lb 16
1988-08-12 Standard trap nets 0.1 — 3.30 lb 1
2008-08-11 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 1.2 – 3.6 2.80 lb 8
2008-08-11 Standard trap nets 0.5 — 1.79 lb 7
2003-08-18 Standard gill nets 1.2 (below normal) 1.2 – 3.6 3.24 lb 14
2003-08-18 Standard trap nets 0.3 — 1.08 lb 3
1986-08-25 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 1.2 – 3.6 2.00 lb 1
1992-08-10 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 1.2 – 3.6 1.90 lb 6
1992-08-10 Standard trap nets 0.1 — 3.81 lb 1
2013-07-22 Standard gill nets 0.7 (below normal) 1.2 – 3.6 4.40 lb 8
2013-07-22 Standard trap nets 0.2 — 2.06 lb 2

Smallmouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1998-08-12 Standard electrofishing 107.0 — 0.12 lb 169
1998-08-12 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.7 0.12 lb 3
1998-08-12 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 0.4 0.80 lb 1
1988-08-12 Standard gill nets 0.4 (normal) 0.3 – 0.7 0.50 lb 5
1988-08-12 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 0.4 0.30 lb 1
2008-08-11 Standard electrofishing 125.4 — 0.34 lb 163
2008-08-11 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.3 – 0.7 0.25 lb 5
2008-08-11 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 0.4 0.27 lb 1
2003-08-18 Standard electrofishing 119.6 — 0.22 lb 241
2003-08-18 Standard gill nets 0.8 (above normal) 0.3 – 0.7 0.59 lb 10
1986-08-25 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.7 0.27 lb 3
1986-08-25 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 0.4 0.50 lb 1
1992-08-10 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.7 0.66 lb 2
1992-08-10 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 0.4 0.13 lb 1
2013-07-08 15-ft beach seine 0.5 — — 2
2013-07-08 1/4-in trap nets 0.1 — — 1
2013-07-22 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 0.7 0.27 lb 6

Largemouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1998-08-12 Standard electrofishing 2.5 — 0.08 lb 4
1988-08-12 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 0.7 0.30 lb 1
2008-08-11 Standard electrofishing 5.4 — 0.78 lb 7
2003-08-18 Standard electrofishing 3.5 — 0.11 lb 7
2003-08-18 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 0.7 0.07 lb 1
1986-08-25 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 0.7 0.10 lb 1
2013-07-08 1/4-in trap nets 0.5 — — 9
2013-07-08 15-ft beach seine 0.8 — — 3
2013-07-22 Standard trap nets 0.2 (normal) 0.1 – 0.7 0.09 lb 2

LKW

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1998-08-12 Standard gill nets 3.8 (above normal) 0.2 – 3.0 2.65 lb 45
1988-08-12 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 3.0 3.75 lb 4
2008-08-11 Standard gill nets 3.7 (above normal) 0.2 – 3.0 3.73 lb 56
2003-08-18 Standard gill nets 1.3 (normal) 0.2 – 3.0 2.94 lb 16
1986-08-25 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 3.0 3.95 lb 4
1992-08-10 Standard gill nets 1.1 (normal) 0.2 – 3.0 2.36 lb 13
2013-07-22 Standard gill nets 1.3 (normal) 0.2 – 3.0 3.84 lb 16

Rock Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1998-08-12 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.3 – 1.0 0.31 lb 7
1988-08-12 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.2 0.30 lb 3
1988-08-12 Standard trap nets 1.3 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.0 0.20 lb 15
2008-08-11 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.0 0.43 lb 3
2003-08-18 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.2 0.16 lb 1
2003-08-18 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.3 – 1.0 0.17 lb 9
1986-08-25 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.3 – 1.0 0.14 lb 9
1986-08-25 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.5 – 2.2 0.21 lb 6
1992-08-10 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.2 0.17 lb 3
1992-08-10 Standard trap nets 1.5 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.0 0.17 lb 18
2013-07-08 1/4-in trap nets 0.2 — — 3
2013-07-22 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.0 0.22 lb 3

Walleye

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1998-08-12 Standard gill nets 1.7 (below normal) 3.1 – 9.8 1.31 lb 20
1998-08-12 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 1.3 2.60 lb 6
1988-08-12 Standard gill nets 5.0 (normal) 3.1 – 9.8 1.23 lb 60
1988-08-12 Standard trap nets 0.7 (normal) 0.3 – 1.3 1.38 lb 8
2008-08-11 Standard gill nets 2.5 (below normal) 3.1 – 9.8 0.93 lb 38
2008-08-11 Standard trap nets 0.7 (normal) 0.3 – 1.3 3.51 lb 10
2003-08-18 Standard gill nets 4.5 (normal) 3.1 – 9.8 1.61 lb 54
2003-08-18 Standard trap nets 0.9 (normal) 0.3 – 1.3 2.55 lb 11
1986-08-25 Standard gill nets 4.3 (normal) 3.1 – 9.8 0.76 lb 52
1986-08-25 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 1.3 2.36 lb 6
1992-08-10 Standard gill nets 3.5 (normal) 3.1 – 9.8 1.01 lb 42
1992-08-10 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 1.3 2.29 lb 6
2013-07-08 1/4-in trap nets 0.1 — — 2
2013-07-22 Standard gill nets 2.3 (below normal) 3.1 – 9.8 0.81 lb 28
2013-07-22 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.3 – 1.3 1.07 lb 7

Hybrid Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1998-08-12 Standard trap nets 0.1 — 0.13 lb 1
2003-08-18 Standard trap nets 0.1 — 0.18 lb 1

Tullibee (Cisco)

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1998-08-12 Standard gill nets 1.0 (below normal) 1.8 – 12.4 0.16 lb 12
1988-08-12 Standard gill nets 1.4 (below normal) 1.8 – 12.4 0.20 lb 17
2008-08-11 Standard gill nets 1.1 (below normal) 1.8 – 12.4 0.14 lb 16
2003-08-18 Standard gill nets 1.1 (below normal) 1.8 – 12.4 0.20 lb 13
1986-08-25 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 1.8 – 12.4 0.20 lb 1
1992-08-10 Standard gill nets 0.6 (below normal) 1.8 – 12.4 0.13 lb 7

White Sucker

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1998-08-12 Standard gill nets 4.8 (normal) 2.8 – 6.7 2.46 lb 57
1998-08-12 Standard trap nets 1.1 (normal) 0.3 – 3.0 2.53 lb 13
1988-08-12 Standard gill nets 4.4 (normal) 2.8 – 6.7 1.92 lb 53
1988-08-12 Standard trap nets 1.3 (normal) 0.3 – 3.0 1.95 lb 15
2008-08-11 Standard gill nets 1.5 (below normal) 2.8 – 6.7 2.45 lb 22
2008-08-11 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 3.0 3.20 lb 2
2003-08-18 Standard gill nets 2.0 (below normal) 2.8 – 6.7 2.70 lb 24
1986-08-25 Standard gill nets 5.1 (normal) 2.8 – 6.7 1.70 lb 61
1986-08-25 Standard trap nets 2.8 (normal) 0.3 – 3.0 1.70 lb 34
1992-08-10 Standard gill nets 4.8 (normal) 2.8 – 6.7 2.15 lb 57
1992-08-10 Standard trap nets 0.9 (normal) 0.3 – 3.0 2.15 lb 11
2013-07-22 Standard gill nets 2.3 (below normal) 2.8 – 6.7 2.24 lb 27
2013-07-22 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 3.0 2.12 lb 1

Pumpkinseed

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1998-08-12 Standard trap nets 1.3 (normal) 0.5 – 3.4 0.14 lb 15
1988-08-12 Standard trap nets 1.8 (normal) 0.5 – 3.4 0.18 lb 21
2008-08-11 Standard trap nets 0.9 (normal) 0.5 – 3.4 0.26 lb 14
2003-08-18 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.5 – 3.4 0.11 lb 9
1986-08-25 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 0.10 lb 1
1986-08-25 Standard trap nets 5.4 (above normal) 0.5 – 3.4 0.09 lb 65
1992-08-10 Standard trap nets 0.4 (below normal) 0.5 – 3.4 0.09 lb 5
2013-07-08 1/4-in trap nets 0.1 — — 2
2013-07-22 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 3.4 0.25 lb 4

Bluegill

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1998-08-12 Standard trap nets 2.3 (normal) 0.8 – 8.7 0.23 lb 27
2008-08-11 Standard trap nets 9.7 (above normal) 0.8 – 8.7 0.26 lb 145
2003-08-18 Standard gill nets 0.2 — 0.11 lb 2
2003-08-18 Standard trap nets 3.4 (normal) 0.8 – 8.7 0.14 lb 41
1992-08-10 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.8 – 8.7 0.69 lb 1
2013-07-08 1/4-in trap nets 6.2 — — 111
2013-07-08 15-ft beach seine 23.8 — — 95
2013-07-22 Standard gill nets 0.3 — 0.15 lb 4
2013-07-22 Standard trap nets 8.4 (normal) 0.8 – 8.7 0.22 lb 101

Black Crappie

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1998-08-12 Standard trap nets 1.0 (below normal) 1.6 – 3.3 0.11 lb 12
1988-08-12 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.2 – 1.4 0.65 lb 2
1988-08-12 Standard trap nets 1.8 (normal) 1.6 – 3.3 0.14 lb 22
2008-08-11 Standard trap nets 0.9 (below normal) 1.6 – 3.3 0.51 lb 13
2003-08-18 Standard trap nets 0.6 (below normal) 1.6 – 3.3 0.16 lb 7
1986-08-25 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 1.6 – 3.3 0.33 lb 3
1992-08-10 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.2 – 1.4 0.28 lb 2
1992-08-10 Standard trap nets 1.0 (below normal) 1.6 – 3.3 0.22 lb 12
2013-07-08 1/4-in trap nets 1.7 — — 30
2013-07-22 Standard trap nets 0.7 (below normal) 1.6 – 3.3 0.14 lb 8

Black Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2013-07-08 1/4-in trap nets 0.2 — 3

Tadpole Madtom

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2013-07-08 1/4-in trap nets 0.6 — 10

Trout-Perch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2013-07-08 1/4-in trap nets 0.2 — 3

Golden Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2013-07-22 Standard trap nets 0.1 — 0.08 lb 1

CIS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2013-07-22 Standard gill nets 0.8 — 0.16 lb 9

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Arrowhead Outdoors

Ely, MN

(218) 365-5358

★ 4.9

Bass Pro Shops

Hermantown, MN

(218) 481-6900

★ 4.4

Benders

Hibbing, MN

(218) 263-5023

★ 4.5

Brimson Sportsman Corner

Brimson, MN

(218) 848-2080

★ 5

Canadian Waters Inc

Ely, MN

(800) 255-2922

★ 4.7

Canoe Country Outfitters

Ely, MN

(218) 365-4046

★ 4.9

Cenex

Hibbing, MN

(320) 894-5765

★ 5

Cliff Wold's Outfitting Co.

Ely, MN

(218) 365-3267

★ 5

Nearby Marinas

Anderson's Canoe Outfitters

Crane Lake, MN

(218) 780-6430

★ 4.9

Aronson Boat Works Inc

Tower, MN

(218) 753-4190

★ 4.5

Arrowhead Lodge

Kabetogama, MN

(218) 875-2141

★ 4.7

Bill's Boat Storage

Ely, MN

(218) 235-9824

★ 5

Birch Point Marine

Tower, MN

(218) 753-4404

★ 4.5

BP Marine Plus

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 830-2216

★ 5

Resorts & Lodges Near Elbow

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Elbow.

C&B Rentals
Fishing Resort Hibbing

(952) 356-5234
Espland's
Fishing Resort Ely

(218) 365-5282
Lake Vermilion Ice Fishing
Fishing Resort Tower

(218) 290-2435
Piney Woods Retreat in Ely, Minnesota - Vacation Cabin Rental
Fishing Resort Ely

(218) 235-1212

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Elbow. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black CrappieBluegillCisco SpeciesLake WhitefishLargemouth BassNorthern PikePumpkinseedRock BassSmallmouth BassWalleyeWhite SuckerYellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Elbow

218 Sportfishing
Fishing Guide

(218) 409-4744
Angler Management Duluth Charters
Fishing Guide

(218) 390-7933
Basswood Trails Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(218) 349-5226
Catching Adventures
Fishing Guide

(651) 270-7155
Chamorrita Charters
Fishing Guide

(218) 393-7121
Chasin' Tail Charters MN
Fishing Guide

(320) 980-6667

View all 33 guides →

Other Lakes in St. Louis County

Aerie

146.35 acres

Agassa

72.18 acres

Agnes

28.99 acres

Alden

189.7 acres

Alruss

28.18 acres

Angleworm

144.03 acres

Plan Your Trip to Elbow

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.