Weekly Stream Conditions
Lower Shore (Lester to Knife rivers)
Angling pressure in the lower shore was very low over the past week and weekend, which is typical following the weekend of inland fishing opener as anglers shift efforts from rivers to the lakes. River conditions in the lower shore remain great. Intermittent rains kept river temperatures in the mid-forties to low fifties throughout last week. Warm weather over the weekend raised water levels into the mid-fifties to low sixties. Adult steelhead continue to "drop-back" to Lake Superior, but some are still actively spawning. Adult steelhead and juvenile (2-year-old) steelhead smolts have been captured at the Knife River smolt trap (downbound trap) last week. White and Longnose suckers have been caught in the Knife River adult trap (upbound trap) and are actively spawning in most lower shore rivers. More rain is expected in the forecast this week which will likely decrease water temperatures and raise river levels; this could keep more adult steelhead in the rivers, post-spawn, and provide additional catch opportunities in lower shore rivers.
-Lake Superior Area Fisheries Creel Crew
Middle Shore (Stewart to Baptism rivers)
Angling pressure on the middle shore this period has been low, especially last weekend presumably due to inland fishing opener, Mother's Day, and wildfire smoke. Water levels have been lower than average, and streams are mostly clear. Water temperatures are ranging from the high forties to high fifties. Angler pressure and numbers of fish caught has been best in the northern-most middle shore streams. A few chrome steelhead have been reported, though most being caught are dark and colored. Some people have been having success using bug patterns as opposed to beads and eggs; stoneflies and larger beaded nymphs have been working well. Large schools of suckers are present in most streams. Both Longnose and White suckers have been caught and reported this period. Only one Brook Trout was reported caught this period.
-Joel T., MN DNR Middle Shore Creel Clerk
Upper Shore (Cross to Brule rivers)
Angler pressure has been mostly light during this reporting period and quite a few experienced anglers have now hung up their river rods for the season. Most steelhead have vacated small tributaries, but some larger rivers still have fair numbers of actively spawning steelhead. River levels have remained moderate to low in most rivers, and river temperatures warmed-up sharply during this reporting period into the mid-fifties to low sixties. A few reports of brook trout caught in several rivers with a few up to 18 inches. Suckers are now present in all larger rivers and a few reports of lake trout caught near in river mouths.
-Phil K., MN DNR Upper Shore Creel Clerk
Station
|
Avg. Temp.
(range; °F)
|
Conditions
|
| Lester River |
56 (51-64) |
S, L-A, C |
| Talmadge River |
54 (50-60) |
S, L-A, C |
| French River |
55 (50-63) |
S, L-A, C |
| Sucker River |
58 (54-61) |
S, L-A, C |
| Knife River |
56 (51-63) |
S, L-A, C |
| Stewart River |
53 (44-59) |
F, L, C |
| Silver Creek |
51 (44-57) |
F, L, C |
| Gooseberry River |
50 (45-58) |
F, L-A, C |
| Split Rock River |
51 (46-56) |
F, L, C |
| Beaver River |
51 (46-57) |
F, A, C |
| Baptism River |
51 (46-57) |
F, A, C |
| Cross River |
51 (47-59) |
F, A, C |
| Temperance River |
51 (47-59) |
F, A, C |
| Poplar River |
No angler access via Cook County Sheriff (Fire Investigation) |
F, A, C |
| Cascade River |
50 (46-56) |
F, A, ST |
| Devil Track River |
51 (49-58) |
F, A, C |
| Kadunce River |
52 (48-58)
|
F, L, C |
| Brule River |
54 (49-59) |
F, 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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