Thirtythree Lake near Ely: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Thirtythree Lake sits in Saint Louis County, out in Minnesota. Elevation runs to 1,329 feet. Roughly 27 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. Ely at 8.1 miles is the nearest place to stop. For a city, Thunder Bay is 118 miles off. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing. It sits away from the main road, which keeps the noise down.

• Where to Fish on Thirtythree Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Saint Louis County records list yellow perch, northern pike and white sucker among the fish reported. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Thirtythree Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 65°F and January near 3°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Look for the thaw near late April; the fishing lifts straight after. Average temperatures cross freezing around late April in spring and again near late November in autumn. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. It holds true on Thirtythree Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. The nearest alternative is Newton Lake, 0.7 miles out. The position on Thirtythree Lake is worth confirming on the day.