Lower Shore: Duluth to Two Harbors
Surface water temps were 60-65 °F near Duluth and 55-60 °F from McQuade to Two Harbors this week. Construction continues on Highway 61 at the McQuade intersection, and on Lighthouse Point Road in Two Harbors. Anglers from all stations reported a steady bite for 18-33 inch Lake Trout and 17-23 inch Walleye close to Duluth. Anglers found success trolling spoons, flasher flies, and stick baits in the top 20-50 feet in 70-120 feet of water. Further north, anglers found success jigging on structure in 80-120 feet and trolling bright spoons, stick baits, and flasher flies in 150-300 feet of water with fish being fairly spread out throughout the water column. No Salmon were reported from any station this week. On the St. Louis River Estuary anglers reported catching primarily small Walleye below the required 15 inch minimum to harvest. Trolling stick baits and worm harnesses on the flats and jigging live bait on deeper structure was most productive.
Upper Shore: Twin Points to Hovland
Surface water temps were around 51-57 °F from all stations, but strong winds occasionally caused upwelling of cold water close to shore that was in the mid 40’s. Although anglers reported slow Lake Trout fishing to start the week, the average size was large and numbers seem to be trending up. Most were caught suspended in the top 100 feet of the water column trolling spoons and flasher fly rigs using downriggers, lead lines, or divers. Anglers from all stations reported steady action for 17-22 inch Coho Salmon trolling green spoons and flasher fly combos in the top 70 feet of the water column. Numbers of Chinook Salmon were low, but some nice 20-30 inch fish were reported. Angler pressure has been moderate from all stations.
Management Update: Donate Your Carcasses!
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The MNDNR Lake Superior Area Fisheries Office started the Predator Prey Project in 2020. The MNDNR has teamed up with several other agencies and tribes in Lake Superior to evaluate the lake’s food web. This project collects diets and tissue samples from the carcasses of Lake Superior fish carcasses provided by anglers. So far, anglers have contributed over 10,500 fish carcasses over the last 6 years! From these samples we have learned that introduced species, like Brown Trout, Coho, and Chinook Salmon, consume different things than native Lake Trout and occupy different positions in the food web. We have also been able to track shifts in their diets and growth rates in response to the massive Cisco boom that took place in 2022. Some strange diet items we have observed include: a star faced mole, a bratwurst, wasps, a duck leg, a tobacco pouch, and plastic! If you fish on Lake Superior and would like to contribute to this project please contact Nate Beckman at (218) 302-3277 or Nathan.beckman2@state.mn.us for more details and to get your free collection bags. A huge thank you to all of the anglers that have contributed to this important research!
Helpful Links
 Questions?
Email us at Lake Superior fishing report
Give us a call at 218-302-3277
Report suspicious activity at 800-652-9093
Visit us online at mndnr.gov
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