Weekly Stream Conditions
Creel Station
|
Water Temperatures
[Avg. (range)°F]
|
River Conditions
|
| Lester River |
57 (46-66) |
Clear, low flow |
| Sucker River |
59 (51-67) |
Clear, low flow |
| Knife River |
59 (47-70) |
Clear, low flow |
| Stewart River |
58 (53-64) |
Clear, low flow |
| Silver Creek |
58 (53-67) |
Clear, low flow |
| Gooseberry River |
59 (55-66) |
Clear, low flow |
| Split Rock River |
61 (42-52) |
Clear, low flow |
| Beaver River |
59 (52-66) |
Clear, low flow |
| Baptism River |
58 (50-65) |
Clear, low flow |
| Cross River |
55 (50-58) |
Clear, moderate flow |
| Cascade River |
54 (49-58) |
Clear, moderate flow |
| Devil Track River |
54 (50-56) |
Clear, moderate flow |
| Kadunce River |
53 (46-57) |
Clear, low flow |
| Brule River |
56 (55-58) |
Slightly turbid, moderate flow |
*Please note that stream conditions can change quickly and may differ from what is reported here.
More information on North Shore streams and stream conditions available at Minnesota Steelheader – Discover. Learn. Fish.
Creel Clerk Reports
Lower Shore (Lester to Stewart rivers)
Conditions over the past week were sunny with low, clear water. Water temperatures fluctuated between the 50s and 60s, with the Knife River reaching 70.3°F on Monday (5/12). Air temperatures climbed from the 50s on May 8 to the 80s by Monday. Lower shore rivers are in need of the rain and cold air temperatures expected over the next few days.
Angler pressure was light on most rivers, with some seeing no activity at all—likely due to the inland fishing season now being open. Fishing was challenging this week for most anglers (but not all), but steelhead were still present in most rivers. Some steelhead were still actively spawning but many are dropping back to Lake Superior, indicating that we are near the end of steelhead season on the lower shore.
Middle Shore (Silver Creek to Baptism River)
Popular middle shore rivers continue to see steady angler pressure and steelhead catches. Anglers are using a wider range of tactics, from casting spinners to fishing nymphs on fly lines. Spawning suckers have now been seen in all streams.
Hot, dry weather has significantly lowered water levels, though most streams are still fishable. Water temperatures have risen sharply, with some streams reaching 69°F. Late-season steelhead anglers are encouraged to fish during the coolest parts of the day—early mornings and evenings—and to land and release fish quickly to reduce stress and the risk of mortality.
Upper Shore (Cross to Brule rivers)
Upper shore tributaries saw declining flows and rising temperatures this week. On the afternoon of Wednesday, May 14, river temps jumped sharply into the mid to upper 60s. Smaller rivers are dropping fast and warming quickly, and fewer steelhead have been observed in these streams. Larger rivers like the Brule, Cascade, Temperance, and Cross still have moderate flows and are holding up better during the dry spell.
Most fish being caught are smaller steelhead (14–20 inches) or resident fish in the 4–10-inch range. Brook trout are starting to show up near river mouths, as is typical when water warms, with a few coasters up to 16 inches reported. Suckers are now present in all larger rivers.
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