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Duluth's Spring Fishing Heats Up: Lake Trout, Salmon, and More on Lake Superior's Shores
Today, April 4, 2025, fishing around Lake Superior near Duluth is shaping up to be productive for anglers who are tuned into the conditions and using the right techniques. Here’s the latest report:
The weather is chilly but stable, with the morning sunrise at 6:39 AM and sunset expected at 7:37 PM. The small craft advisory from earlier in the week has subsided, and current wave heights near shore are manageable at 1 to 2 feet. The tidal schedule shows low tides at 2:24 AM and 2:41 PM and high tides at 5:51 AM and 11:10 PM, though Lake Superior’s minimal tides have a limited effect on fishing.
Anglers have recently had success catching lake trout, with some trophy-sized fish measuring 26 to 36 inches being landed. Coho salmon are also making an appearance, most commonly in the 14 to 16-inch range. The smelt run is underway along Park Point, providing excellent forage for predatory fish and opportunities for dip-netting enthusiasts. Walleye and brown trout are active in the region, and even some king salmon have been reported closer to the Duluth entry this week.
For lures and bait, stickbaits and wobbling spoons remain outstanding choices for trolling. Popular options include the Williams Wabler in hammered silver or blue, as well as the Lucky Strike Half Wave and Acme Little Cleo casting spoons. These lures work well for lake trout and salmon when fished near structures like rock points and drop-offs. For bait, large golden shiners, sucker minnows, and even smaller panfish are excellent for targeting trophy lake trout. Smelt fishing is also productive with simple dip nets after dark near Park Point.
For locations, two hot spots to consider are:
1. **The Duluth Entry**: Focus on about 50 to 70 feet of water for trout and salmon using stickbaits or trolling spoons. This area is close to the smelt activity, which draws hungry predators.
2. **St. Louis River Estuary**: Walleye are being caught in shallow waters, around 4 feet deep, by slow trolling with spinner rigs paired with bottom bouncers.
With the cold water temperatures, trout and salmon are cruising near the surface and along transitional depth zones. Keep your lures in these strike zones and experiment with trolling speeds. Duluth’s anglers are reporting a mix of good catches, so take advantage of this spring bite and head out to the water. Tight lines!
The weather is chilly but stable, with the morning sunrise at 6:39 AM and sunset expected at 7:37 PM. The small craft advisory from earlier in the week has subsided, and current wave heights near shore are manageable at 1 to 2 feet. The tidal schedule shows low tides at 2:24 AM and 2:41 PM and high tides at 5:51 AM and 11:10 PM, though Lake Superior’s minimal tides have a limited effect on fishing.
Anglers have recently had success catching lake trout, with some trophy-sized fish measuring 26 to 36 inches being landed. Coho salmon are also making an appearance, most commonly in the 14 to 16-inch range. The smelt run is underway along Park Point, providing excellent forage for predatory fish and opportunities for dip-netting enthusiasts. Walleye and brown trout are active in the region, and even some king salmon have been reported closer to the Duluth entry this week.
For lures and bait, stickbaits and wobbling spoons remain outstanding choices for trolling. Popular options include the Williams Wabler in hammered silver or blue, as well as the Lucky Strike Half Wave and Acme Little Cleo casting spoons. These lures work well for lake trout and salmon when fished near structures like rock points and drop-offs. For bait, large golden shiners, sucker minnows, and even smaller panfish are excellent for targeting trophy lake trout. Smelt fishing is also productive with simple dip nets after dark near Park Point.
For locations, two hot spots to consider are:
1. **The Duluth Entry**: Focus on about 50 to 70 feet of water for trout and salmon using stickbaits or trolling spoons. This area is close to the smelt activity, which draws hungry predators.
2. **St. Louis River Estuary**: Walleye are being caught in shallow waters, around 4 feet deep, by slow trolling with spinner rigs paired with bottom bouncers.
With the cold water temperatures, trout and salmon are cruising near the surface and along transitional depth zones. Keep your lures in these strike zones and experiment with trolling speeds. Duluth’s anglers are reporting a mix of good catches, so take advantage of this spring bite and head out to the water. Tight lines!
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By Quiet. PleaseToday, April 4, 2025, fishing around Lake Superior near Duluth is shaping up to be productive for anglers who are tuned into the conditions and using the right techniques. Here’s the latest report:
The weather is chilly but stable, with the morning sunrise at 6:39 AM and sunset expected at 7:37 PM. The small craft advisory from earlier in the week has subsided, and current wave heights near shore are manageable at 1 to 2 feet. The tidal schedule shows low tides at 2:24 AM and 2:41 PM and high tides at 5:51 AM and 11:10 PM, though Lake Superior’s minimal tides have a limited effect on fishing.
Anglers have recently had success catching lake trout, with some trophy-sized fish measuring 26 to 36 inches being landed. Coho salmon are also making an appearance, most commonly in the 14 to 16-inch range. The smelt run is underway along Park Point, providing excellent forage for predatory fish and opportunities for dip-netting enthusiasts. Walleye and brown trout are active in the region, and even some king salmon have been reported closer to the Duluth entry this week.
For lures and bait, stickbaits and wobbling spoons remain outstanding choices for trolling. Popular options include the Williams Wabler in hammered silver or blue, as well as the Lucky Strike Half Wave and Acme Little Cleo casting spoons. These lures work well for lake trout and salmon when fished near structures like rock points and drop-offs. For bait, large golden shiners, sucker minnows, and even smaller panfish are excellent for targeting trophy lake trout. Smelt fishing is also productive with simple dip nets after dark near Park Point.
For locations, two hot spots to consider are:
1. **The Duluth Entry**: Focus on about 50 to 70 feet of water for trout and salmon using stickbaits or trolling spoons. This area is close to the smelt activity, which draws hungry predators.
2. **St. Louis River Estuary**: Walleye are being caught in shallow waters, around 4 feet deep, by slow trolling with spinner rigs paired with bottom bouncers.
With the cold water temperatures, trout and salmon are cruising near the surface and along transitional depth zones. Keep your lures in these strike zones and experiment with trolling speeds. Duluth’s anglers are reporting a mix of good catches, so take advantage of this spring bite and head out to the water. Tight lines!
The weather is chilly but stable, with the morning sunrise at 6:39 AM and sunset expected at 7:37 PM. The small craft advisory from earlier in the week has subsided, and current wave heights near shore are manageable at 1 to 2 feet. The tidal schedule shows low tides at 2:24 AM and 2:41 PM and high tides at 5:51 AM and 11:10 PM, though Lake Superior’s minimal tides have a limited effect on fishing.
Anglers have recently had success catching lake trout, with some trophy-sized fish measuring 26 to 36 inches being landed. Coho salmon are also making an appearance, most commonly in the 14 to 16-inch range. The smelt run is underway along Park Point, providing excellent forage for predatory fish and opportunities for dip-netting enthusiasts. Walleye and brown trout are active in the region, and even some king salmon have been reported closer to the Duluth entry this week.
For lures and bait, stickbaits and wobbling spoons remain outstanding choices for trolling. Popular options include the Williams Wabler in hammered silver or blue, as well as the Lucky Strike Half Wave and Acme Little Cleo casting spoons. These lures work well for lake trout and salmon when fished near structures like rock points and drop-offs. For bait, large golden shiners, sucker minnows, and even smaller panfish are excellent for targeting trophy lake trout. Smelt fishing is also productive with simple dip nets after dark near Park Point.
For locations, two hot spots to consider are:
1. **The Duluth Entry**: Focus on about 50 to 70 feet of water for trout and salmon using stickbaits or trolling spoons. This area is close to the smelt activity, which draws hungry predators.
2. **St. Louis River Estuary**: Walleye are being caught in shallow waters, around 4 feet deep, by slow trolling with spinner rigs paired with bottom bouncers.
With the cold water temperatures, trout and salmon are cruising near the surface and along transitional depth zones. Keep your lures in these strike zones and experiment with trolling speeds. Duluth’s anglers are reporting a mix of good catches, so take advantage of this spring bite and head out to the water. Tight lines!