Hardtack Lake near Ely: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Saint Louis County, Minnesota, is where Hardtack Lake sits. Height above sea level is 1,486 feet. Ely is the closest place, 11 miles off. Thunder Bay sits 124 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. Alternatives close at hand: North Hegman Lake (0.4 miles), Trease Lake out at 0.5 miles, Little Bass Lake (1.1 miles), South Hegman Lake out at 1.2 miles and Hopkins Lake (1.6 miles). No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Hardtack Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Species logged across Saint Louis County include yellow perch, northern pike and white sucker. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Hardtack Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 2°F and July at about 65°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Ice is part of the season here, ending near late April. Expect the water usable from around late April until roughly mid November. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. The season on Hardtack Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Mapping shows a campsite some 0.9 miles from the water. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Failing this one, try North Hegman Lake, 0.4 miles away. Confirm before you fish Hardtack Lake.