Weekly Stream Conditions
Lower Shore (Lester to Knife rivers)
Steelhead catch and fishing pressure in the lower shore was low again this week. Steelhead remain in the rivers and are actively spawning. A few chrome (fresh from the lake) steelhead were captured at the Knife River traps, and a few drop-back, post-spawn females have been caught this week. Water temperatures remained in the high-30s to mid-40s. It rained almost every day this week which made rivers high and turbid, but they are dropping now and are still fishable. Cold temperatures and more precipitation are in the forecast over the next week which will likely keep rivers high and cold. Appears that the 2024 smelt run is over in the lower shore as catches have diminished this week.
-Lake Superior Area Fisheries Creel Crew
Middle Shore (Stewart to Baptism rivers)
Angler pressure on the middle shore significantly decreased this period, starting particularly this last Sunday (4/28). Drop in angler pressure is presumably due to the rain, colder air temps, and moderate to high winds this week. Water temperatures in the middle shore have declined over this period, ranging from the upper 30s to low 40s. Recent precipitation increased water levels a bit this week and most rivers remain at moderate levels. The number of steelhead caught continues to be in the low-average range, albeit some anglers have had good success in numbers throughout this week, and more chrome steelhead (new arrivals from the lake) have been reported this week. Brook trout have been caught, mostly being in the 10-12" range. No species have been reported other than Steelhead and Brook Trout.
-Joel T., MN DNR Middle Shore Creel Clerk
Upper Shore (Cross to Brule rivers)
Water temperatures have been variable this week ranging from the upper-30s to 50◦F. Upper shore rivers remain average to high, but fishable. Anglers reported fair luck for steelhead in most upper shore rivers with some larger fish reported up to 29 inches! Anglers have reported catching a mix of spawned out and dark steelhead mixed with chrome (fresh from the lake) steelhead. A few Brook Trout and one sucker was reported caught this week, as well. Angler pressure was light to moderate during this reporting period. No smelting activity as recent onshore winds made for rough lake conditions this week.
-Phil K., MN DNR Upper Shore Creel Clerk
Station
|
Avg. Temp.
(range; °F)
|
Conditions
|
| Lester River |
42 (42-47) |
S, A-H, ST |
| Talmadge River |
44 (40-46) |
S, A-H, ST |
| French River |
44 (41-47) |
S, A-H, ST |
| Sucker River |
44 (42-48) |
S, A-H, ST |
| Knife River |
45 (42-48) |
S, A-H, ST |
| Stewart River |
40 (37-42) |
R, A-H, C |
| Silver Creek |
40 (37-42) |
R, A-H, ST |
| Gooseberry River |
40 (37-41) |
R, A-H, ST |
| Split Rock River |
39 (37-42) |
R, A-H, C |
| Beaver River |
40 (37-42) |
R, A-H, C |
| Baptism River |
42 (39-45) |
R, A-H, C |
| Cross River |
42 (37-48) |
S, A, ST |
| Temperance River |
42 (37-48) |
S, A, ST |
| Poplar River |
No angler access via Cook County Sheriff (Fire Investigation) |
S, A, ST |
| Cascade River |
42 (37-46) |
R, A, ST |
| Devil Track River |
42 (38-46) |
S, A, ST |
| Kadunce River |
38 (35-41)
|
S, A, ST |
| Brule River |
45 (42-50) |
S, A, ST |
Stream conditions key
River Stage: F=Falling, S=Stable, R=Rising
Water Level: L=Low, A=Average, H=High
Water Clarity: C=Clear, ST=Slightly Turbid, T=Turbid
More information on North Shore streams and stream conditions available at Minnesota Steelheader – Discover. Learn. Fish.
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