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Lower Shore: Duluth to Two Harbors
Rain and moderate east winds kept many anglers off the water. However, in between the bad weather anglers were able to find success. Surface water temps were in the 50’s along the Lower Shore and anglers found success using a variety of presentations, but green, orange, or pink spoons and stickbaits did best. Changing air temps and weather patterns have impacted the shift from stickbaits to spoons for Lake Trout and the patterns in what fish are biting have been variable at best. Consider trying a variety of depths and presentations to cover your bases. Coho Salmon were caught in good numbers again this week and most we 15-20 inches. St. Louis River Estuary fishing has cooled down somewhat and anglers reported catching primarily smaller Walleye, on worm harnesses, in less than 10 feet of water. Surface water temps are approaching 70 °F in the Estuary.
Upper Shore: Twin Points to Hovland
Surface water temps were 36-39 °F at all stations. Weather conditions were variable with periods of wind and fog making it difficult for boaters. Anglers from Silver Bay and Taconite Harbor reported fair fishing for 18-22 inch Lake Trout. Reports from Grand Marais were of very slow action. Anglers targeted Lake Trout in 120-200 feet of water, near bottom structure and drop offs, using downriggers, with glow spoons and flasher fly combos. Angler pressure was light at all stations as anglers were waiting for water temps to warm and fishing to improve. Shore anglers reported fair fishing for Brook Trout in Grand Marais Harbor and slow fishing for Lake Trout.
Management Update: A Good Smelt Run This Spring
The excitement around the 2022 Cisco (also known as Lake Herring or Tullibee) boom drowned out another important piece of information and that is Rainbow Smelt abundance in 2023 was the highest it has been since 1986. Rainbow Smelt dip netting in Lake Superior tributaries and seine-netting on Park Point in Duluth was very productive for many people this spring but the peak run occurred a bit later and was of shorter duration than usual based on angler reports. The higher abundance and larger size of smelt reported this spring is likely due to Cisco buffering predation of Rainbow Smelt by the rehabilitated Lake Trout population.
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Helpful Links
 Questions?
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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
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