Lower Shore: Duluth to Two Harbors
Northeast winds and thunderstorms reduced fishing pressure this week, especially closer to Duluth. The depth of the thermocline varied daily and was anywhere from 50 to 90 feet down. Anglers trolling from Knife River to Two Harbors caught some of their fish on structure near the bottom, and some suspended 30-50 feet down. As usual, anglers did best trolling near the thermocline with spoons and flasher/fly rigs. Blue and green were good colors, especially for the trolling flies. Glow-in-the-dark spoons and flashers are also effective at those depths, especially with some orange and holographic pearl mixed in. Whole or partial smelt improved success with flasher/fly rigs. Near Two Harbors, some Lake Trout were caught jigging bottom structure 60-180 feet down, but fish did not appear to be staging for the spawn yet. Most Lake Trout were 19-23 inches long, with a few as large as 27 inches. The only Chinook Salmon reported was 24 inches. The Coho Salmon reported were very large measuring up to 26 inches and over 8 pounds. No Pink Salmon were reported this week, likely due to fish moving toward river mouths, staging for spawning. Brown Trout and a few Coho Salmon have been caught in Lower Shore rivers. Pink Salmon will likely show up any day now. For more information on stream fishing the North Shore click on the first link at the bottom of this page.
Upper Shore: Twin Points to Hovland
Upper Shore surface water temps were warm and averaged 60-63 °F at all stations. Some anglers reported warm water extending as far down as 100 feet. Lake Trout fishing was improved this week, especially near Grand Marais. However, Lake Trout were still scattered throughout the water column making them difficult to pattern at times. Lake Trout were caught in good numbers near shore, in shallow water, but this bite was sporadic. More Lake Trout were caught suspended in the water column over deeper water. Most of the Lake Trout caught were 3-10 pounds. A few Chinook and Coho Salmon were reported this week, but numbers of Salmon were generally very low. Most of the Coho Salmon reported were very small fish in the 8-14 inch range. Pink Salmon were still caught in the lake this reporting period, but they were also observed entering the larger Middle and Upper Shore rivers with the highest numbers observed in the Brule River. With recent rains, rivers were at low to moderate flow and water temps ranged from the mid 50’s to the mid 60’s.
Helpful Links
 Questions?
Visit us online at mndnr.gov
If this message was shared with you, sign up to receive it at the link above.
Email us at Lake Superior fishing report
Give us a call at 218-302-3277
Fishing report hotline at 218-302-3293
Report suspicious activity at 800-652-9093
|
