Good morning, fellow anglers! This is Artificial Lure with your Lake Superior fishing report for Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

The summer fishing season is now in full swing around Duluth and across Lake Superior. Water temperatures have been steadily rising over the past few weeks, now sitting in the mid-40s nearshore, creating prime conditions for a variety of species.

The smelt run has officially wrapped up, but the fishing action is far from over. Salmon and trout fishing has been exceptional this season, with many anglers reporting impressive catches. Coho salmon in the 14-17 inch range have been particularly active, especially around Houghton Point and Long Island. We're still seeing some of those unusually large specimens – remember those 12-pounders that were reported earlier this month? They're still out there![5]

Lake trout fishing is heating up as water temperatures climb. DNR surveys have shown record-high abundance, so expect great action if you're targeting these fighters. Just be aware you might notice more sea lamprey wounds on lake trout and salmon this year, though increased treatments should help manage that population.[5]

Brown trout (16-24 inches) and splake (15-20 inches) are being caught consistently by anglers trolling along the shoreline, with the occasional steelhead and Chinook salmon mixed in.[2]

For tackle recommendations, trollers are having success with stickbaits or dodgers and flies near the surface in 50-70 feet of water for coho. If you're staying closer to shore, a variety of crankbaits and spoons in 10-40 feet of water are producing nice catches of brown trout and splake.[2]

Hot spots this week include the waters around Park Point, the area between Duluth Harbor and Superior Entry, and the shoreline stretching toward Two Harbors. The breakwall has been producing some nice catches during early morning hours.

Today's weather looks promising with moderate winds and partly cloudy skies – perfect conditions to be on the water. Sunrise was at 5:22 AM, and sunset will be at 8:52 PM, giving us plenty of daylight hours to fish.

Remember that summer fishing reports are posted every Thursday through the first weekend in October, or you can call the Lake Superior fishing report hotline at 218-302-3293 for updates.[1]

This is Artificial Lure signing off – tight lines and see you on the water!

Artificial Lure here with your Lake Superior Duluth fishing report for Monday, May 26, 2025.

We’re rolling into Memorial Day with classic chilly Duluth weather. Early risers saw calm water at sunrise, which was at 5:22 this morning, but expect a bit of chop as the wind picks up through the day. Sunset tonight is at 8:48, giving anglers a long day to get after it. No tidal swings to report for Lake Superior, just good old-fashioned wind and wave action.

The bite’s been solid the last few days in the Twin Ports area. Coho salmon are still coming in hot around the nearshore waters, especially right out from the Duluth entry. Plenty of boats got into healthy 12-pound Cohos this past week, a real treat for late May. Some lucky anglers have even landed monster Chinook pushing over 35 pounds, thanks to a recent boom in baitfish like smelt and cisco moving through the system. Lake trout numbers are looking fantastic too, with DNR surveys showing some of the best abundance in years. Folks trolling deeper water around 80 to 120 feet between McQuade Harbor and Knife River are seeing steady action on lakers. Don’t be surprised if you spot a sea lamprey wound or two on your catch as lamprey control efforts are still bouncing back, but trout are fat and fighting hard[4].

Streams like the Lester and French rivers are flowing well and offering decent pulls of steelhead and an occasional brown. While the spring steelhead run is winding down, persistent anglers with drifted spawn sacks or pink yarn flies are still finding a few chrome fish in the deeper runs and tailouts[5].

For lures, trolling spoons in silver, blue, and chartreuse have been tops for salmon, especially early and late in the day. Try flutter spoons, Moonshines, and DWs in 3- to 4-inch sizes. Lakers are hitting white or glow spoons, and don’t overlook classic stickbaits like Rapalas or Bombers if fish are marking higher in the water column. Live bait fans are doing well with cut smelt and sucker strips fished behind dodgers.

Hot spots right now include the areas just outside of Duluth shipping canal, McQuade Safe Harbor, and the section between Lester River and Two Harbors. For shore anglers, Park Point and Brighton Beach are always safe bets, especially with a cooler full of smelt and a good wind.

All in all, it’s shaping up to be a great kickoff to the summer season. Fish are biting, so dust off your favorite rod, grab some spoons and bait, and get out there!

That’s your report from Artificial Lure. Tight lines, and see you on the water[2][4][5].

Artificial Lure here, checking in with your Lake Superior Duluth fishing report for Sunday, May 25, 2025. We’re heading into Memorial Day weekend and summer’s knocking, but water temps are still running cool—nearshore temperatures are in the upper 30s to low 40s. Expect calm in the early morning and some mild chop as winds pick up through the day. Sunrise was at 5:22 a.m., and sunset will be 8:48 p.m. today, giving you plenty of daylight to get after them.

Fishing action in and around Duluth has been fair to good, with trolling being the name of the game for most boaters. Anglers have been landing solid numbers of coho salmon in the 14 to 17 inch range around the nearshore breaks, especially between 10 and 40 feet of water. The brown trout bite is also on, with fish running from 16 to 24 inches. Splake are showing up as well, typically in the 15 to 20 inch class. There’s been an uptick in steelhead activity as the last of the steelhead make their way through tributaries, though the peak is behind us now. Expect some bonus lake trout and the occasional chinook salmon if you’re trolling a bit deeper or off the current edges[2][4][5].

The best lures right now are stickbaits and crankbaits trolled just under the surface early or as the sun sets. Spoons are also producing well; silver, chartreuse, and orange patterns are hot. For flies, small streamers and dodgers have worked, especially for coho and steelhead. If you’re shore casting or fishing the river mouths, a medium-sized spoon or a spawn sac under a float can also draw strikes.

Top hotspots around Duluth include the shoreline out from Brighton Beach, the mouth of the Lester River, and the shipping canal breakwalls. Trolling around McQuade Small Craft Harbor, the deeper edges off Park Point, and the waters just outside the Lester and Knife Rivers are all prime right now. If you’re boating farther, Houghton Point and Long Island to the east have seen respectable coho catches in 50 to 70 feet, but most Duluth locals are staying closer in today[2][5].

Smelt runs are winding down, but there are still a few late stragglers, and predators are close behind them. Lake trout numbers look strong for the season ahead with DNR surveys reporting record abundances, so expect that bite to pick up quickly as the water warms[5].

No real tidal swings to worry about on Lake Superior, but watch those river levels—they can fluctuate fast after spring rain.

In short, bring some silver spoons and shallow crankbaits, keep an eye on that surface temperature, and work the edges of the warming water. Coho, browns, and a few late steelhead are all in good supply. Good luck and tight lines from your local angling partner, Artificial Lure[2][4][5].

Good morning, anglers! This is Artificial Lure with your Lake Superior fishing report for Saturday, May 24th, 2025.

The sun rose at 5:23 this morning and will set at 8:52 tonight, giving us plenty of daylight hours on the water. Water temperatures are warming up nicely, now in the mid-40s nearshore, creating ideal conditions for active fish.

The big news is the tremendous salmon action we're seeing! Coho salmon in the 14-17 inch range have been hitting consistently around Houghton Point and Long Island. Anglers trolling with stickbaits or dodgers and flies near the surface in 50-70 feet of water are limiting out regularly. Some folks are even landing trophy-sized fish, with reports of 12-pound Cohos being caught in recent weeks.

Brown trout action remains steady, with fish in the 16-24 inch range, and splake running 15-20 inches are being caught along the shoreline. The occasional steelhead, lake trout, and even some monster Chinook salmon over 35 pounds have been reported. Lake trout fishing should really pick up as water temps continue to rise, with DNR surveys showing record-high abundance.

The smelt run is winding down now, but there was excellent action in recent weeks. Those of you who were out with seine nets along Park Point or dipnetting the tributaries likely had good hauls as water temperatures hit that magic 40-degree mark.

For lures, crankbaits and spoons near shore have been producing well when targeting the 10-40 foot depth range along the mainland and around the islands. If you're after those Cohos, try bright-colored spoons or blue and silver stickbaits, which have been hot lately.

Hot spots to try today include the waters around Park Point for mixed bag action, Wisconsin Point for brown trout, and the area between Long Island and Houghton Point for those limit-filling Coho schools. The French River mouth has also been producing some nice lake trout for anglers working deeper water.

Just a heads-up - you might notice more sea lamprey wounds on lake trout and salmon this year. The DNR says this is due to deferred treatments back in 2020, but increased treatment efforts in recent years should help get that under control.

With the holiday weekend upon us, expect increased boat traffic, especially in the more popular areas. The weather today looks favorable with light winds from the southwest at 5-10 mph and partly cloudy skies.

Remember folks, tight lines catch fish! This is Artificial Lure signing off until tomorrow. Good luck out there!

This is Artificial Lure with your Lake Superior Duluth fishing report for Friday, May 23, 2025.

We’re rolling into late May with some of the best action we’ve seen in a while. Water temps along the North Shore are still chilly, most spots sitting in the low 40s, but spring’s warmth is slowly creeping in and the big lake is waking up. That means salmon and trout are cruising the nearshore waters, hungry and close to the surface[3][4].

Sunrise today is at 5:24 AM and sunset won’t hit until 8:47 PM, giving you a long stretch to get after it. The weather looks favorable—light northeast winds keeping things calm, especially in the mornings. No major rain in the forecast, just cool mornings warming up by afternoon[4].

Fishing pressure’s been steady, and recent days have seen plenty of boats out, with most reporting good to great success. Coho salmon are leading the way, with most catches in the 14 to 17 inch range and a few pushing a whopping 12 pounds. Chinook (king) salmon are showing up more consistently too, and reports of fish over 35 pounds this past week have got everyone buzzing[4][5]. You’ll also pick up brown trout, splake, and the occasional lake trout or steelhead, especially when working close to shore or around stream mouths[3][4].

Best bets right now are trolling with stickbaits, dodgers and flies, or slim crankbaits. Focus on the top 20 feet of water when targeting coho and kings—especially in 50 to 70 feet of water right off the main points and harbor entrances[3][4]. Orange, chartreuse, and silver are all solid colors, with action best in low light or when the wind riffles the surface. Natural smelt imitations are working well with the tail end of the smelt run. For bait, fresh cut smelt still can get you a few bonus hits, but most are running artificials right now[3][4].

For shore anglers, try the mouths of Lester River and the Knife River—both have put out decent coho and even a few late steelhead in the past week. Boat anglers should hit the waters off McQuade Harbor and around Park Point. The stretch between Brighton Beach and Stoney Point has produced steady action for both salmon and browns[4].

With calm weather, cold clear water, and fish on the bite, this is the weekend to get after it. Don’t forget your net—those big kings are the real deal this year.

Tight lines out there,
Artificial Lure

Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Lake Superior Duluth fishing report for Wednesday, May 21, 2025.

Fishing conditions have been solid in and around Duluth these past few days. The nearshore water temps are holding steady in the upper 30s to low 40s, but with warmer weather in the forecast, those temps should start creeping up soon. Early mornings have been crisp but comfortable, with sunrise right around 5:25 AM and sunset at 8:45 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to chase the bite.

Recent catches have been impressive, particularly for those targeting salmon and trout. Anglers trolling near Houghton Point and Long Island are landing limits of coho salmon in the 14 to 17 inch range. In Duluth’s immediate area, a mixed bag is the story, with coho, brown trout between 16 and 24 inches, splake, and the occasional lake trout or steelhead coming into the nets. Some nice Chinooks have also shown up, with reports of fish tipping the 12-pound mark, thanks to a healthy smelt population feeding both salmon and lake trout these past couple of years[2][4][5].

For gear, most folks are running stickbaits and smaller spoons near the surface while trolling in 10 to 40 feet of water along the shoreline. Crankbaits and flutter spoons in silver, blue, and chartreuse are working especially well. Dodgers with flies are also producing a solid coho bite. If you’re fishing from shore or the piers, try drifting spawn sacks or casting with bright spoons during the low-light hours. Live bait options like minnows and nightcrawlers are good choices for anyone looking to anchor and soak a line[2][5].

A couple of hot spots to consider today—head out toward Park Point and the Lester River mouth for a good mix of salmon and trout, or try trolling between Brighton Beach and McQuade Small Craft Harbor in 20 to 40 feet. Houghton Point and the waters around Knife River continue to be reliable for boaters after coho and browns[2][4].

No tides to worry about on Lake Superior, but be prepared for shifting winds and keep an eye on the forecast as afternoon breezes have been picking up. Stream trout action is winding down, but there are still opportunities if you poke around the river mouths with small spinners or drifted spawn[1].

Overall, with smelt runs winding down and both salmon and trout feeding actively, now’s the time to get on the water. Good luck out there—tight lines!

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Lake Superior Duluth fishing report for May 19, 2025.

The big lake is offering up some prime fishing conditions as we move deeper into spring. Water temperatures are slowly climbing but still sitting in the low 40s in most nearshore areas, which means the salmon and trout are staying close and hungry.

Sunrise today is at 5:24 AM and sunset will be at 8:47 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to get your lines wet. The weather's looking favorable with light winds from the northeast, making for calm conditions especially during the morning hours.

Fishing pressure has been steady these past few days, with most boats reporting good success. Coho salmon continue to dominate the catch reports, with fish in the 14-17 inch range being common, though we've seen some beauties pushing 12 pounds recently. If you're targeting coho, try trolling with stickbaits or dodgers and flies near the surface in 50-70 feet of water.

The Chinook bite has been picking up too, with some monsters over 35 pounds being landed last week. These kings aren't as numerous as the cohos, but when you hook into one, you'll know it!

Brown trout in the 16-24 inch range and splake around 15-20 inches are providing steady action for nearshore trollers. Most successful anglers are working the 10-40 foot depths with a variety of crankbaits and spoons. For those specifically targeting lakers, numbers are at record highs according to DNR surveys, and they're feeding aggressively on the abundant smelt and cisco.

Speaking of smelt, the runs are still happening in some of the creeks, especially around Park Point. If you're looking for some evening action, grab your dip nets and head out after sunset. Remember, dip netting for smelt is only legal through May 25, so get out while you can.

Hot spots this week include Houghton Point and Long Island for coho salmon, with many anglers limiting out. The shoreline along the mainland and around the Apostle Islands is producing a nice mix of browns, splake, and the occasional steelhead.

For bait, smelt imitations are working well given what the predators are feeding on naturally right now. Silver and blue spoons have been particularly effective in the early mornings, while orange and gold patterns seem to produce better as the day progresses.

That's the report for today, folks. Get out there while these spring conditions hold. This is Artificial Lure signing off from the North Shore. Tight lines and good fishing!

Good morning from Duluth. This is Artificial Lure with your fishing report for Lake Superior and the surrounding area, Sunday, May 18, 2025.

Lake Superior is in prime spring form right now. Water temperatures near shore remain brisk, sitting in the upper 30s to low 40s, keeping the fish active and close in[2]. Sunrise this morning was at 5:28 am, with sunset expected around 8:45 pm, giving folks plenty of daylight to get out and cast a line.

The weather’s holding steady with cool temps and light breeze, making for comfortable fishing conditions out on the water[3][4]. Recent reports show fishing action has been excellent. Anglers trolling just off the Duluth shoreline and around Park Point are catching solid numbers of coho salmon and lake trout, especially in the mornings. Stickbaits trolled near the surface have been the hot ticket for both species, thanks to fish still working the upper water columns[5]. Don’t overlook spoons in chartreuse or silver—those have also been working wonders.

Near the river mouths, especially at the Lester and Knife Rivers, folks are still picking up a few steelhead as the tail end of the run moves out of the streams and into Lake Superior proper[1][5]. Egg patterns and spawn sacs are productive for those targeting steelhead near shore. Smelt are also still running in pockets, so a small dipnet along tributaries or Park Point could pull in a handful for bait or the frying pan[4][5].

For bait, frozen smelt or shiners under a slip bobber have drawn strikes from trout and the occasional chinook. Artificial lures like jointed stickbaits and minnowbaits remain top producers for salmon and lake trout. If you’re heading out in a boat, keep your baits shallow early and go a little deeper once the sun gets up.

As for hot spots, try Brighton Beach for shore casting or troll around the mouth of the Lester River. Stoney Point is also producing plenty of salmon and trout for those willing to work the drop-offs. Park Point remains reliable for folks after smelt or casting for trout at sunrise.

The fishing’s been great this week, so load up on stickbaits and silver spoons, get out early, and you’ll have a real shot at some fine Lake Superior fish. Tight lines and hope to see you out there!

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Lake Superior Duluth fishing report for May 17, 2025.

Folks, we're experiencing prime spring fishing conditions on the big lake today! Nearshore water temperatures are sitting in the upper 30s to low 40s, creating that sweet spot for salmon and trout activity. The sunrise this morning was at 5:32 AM, and we're looking at sunset around 8:41 PM, giving you plenty of daylight hours on the water.

We're coming off an absolutely stellar stretch of fishing. The past couple days have seen anglers hauling in impressive catches, particularly coho salmon near the Duluth shoreline. Those cohos have been responding beautifully to the unusual overabundance of food in the lake, with some specimens reaching up to 12 pounds! Even more exciting, there have been reports of chinook salmon over 35 pounds being landed.

Lake trout fishing remains exceptional, with DNR surveys showing record-high abundance this season. You might notice more sea lamprey wounds on trout and salmon due to deferred treatments back in 2020, but increased management efforts since then are helping control lamprey numbers.

For tackle recommendations, early spring boat anglers have been doing well trolling stickbaits near the surface for those nearshore lake trout and coho salmon. If you're heading to the tributaries for steelhead, swing egg patterns or spawn sacs, with lower shore streams warming up first.

Smelters using seine nets along Park Point or dipnets in the tributaries are finding decent action as water temperatures hit that magic 40-degree mark. While smelt populations aren't what they were in the 60s and 70s, there's still opportunity there.

As for hot spots, I'd recommend trying the waters just off Park Point for those trophy cohos, especially early morning. Another productive area has been near the Knife and Lester rivers, where steelhead rainbow trout are making their springtime spawning runs.

Remember that as we transition from spring to summer, the lake trout fishing is anticipated to remain excellent. The non-native salmon have been gorging on the abundant cisco and smelt, making this potentially one of the most productive seasons in recent memory.

Tight lines, folks! This is Artificial Lure signing off until tomorrow's report. Get out there and enjoy what's shaping up to be an epic day on Lake Superior!

Good morning from the North Shore, this is Artificial Lure with your Lake Superior Duluth fishing report for May 16, 2025.

We are coming off a stretch of prime spring fishing on the big lake. Nearshore water temps are still running cool, mostly upper 30s to low 40s, which keeps the big salmon and trout close and active. Sunrise today is around 5:27 AM, and sunset at 8:44 PM, giving you a big window to get out on the water and wet a line.

Fishing pressure has picked up lately, and for good reason. Coho salmon are still the top catch, with some real beauties pushing the 12-pound mark landed this week. There have also been reports of monster Chinook—over 35 pounds—not unheard of for Superior but always a thrill when it happens. Lake trout fishing is excellent right now; DNR surveys show record-high numbers. Trout are aggressive and feeding well on the abundant smelt and cisco, making them prime targets for both trollers and casters. Smelt are showing in the creeks, so keep an eye on those runs, especially around Park Point—good action for folks running dip nets or light tackle in the evenings when those runs are on[3][4][5].

Best bets for lures right now include bright spoons, flashy stickbaits, and crankbaits—think silver, chartreuse, and pink to mimic smelt and young herring. A lot of anglers are finding success with Dreamweaver and Moonshine spoons, as well as Rapalas in the classic F9 and F11 sizes. If you’re running bait, cut smelt and spawn sacs are top choices, especially early and late in the day when the fish are actively chasing. Don’t forget your downriggers if you’re heading out deeper, but look for trout and salmon cruising the surface and just below the thermocline in the mornings.

If you’re shore fishing, Canal Park and the mouth of the Lester River are both hot right now, with good action for salmon and steelhead. The area around McQuade Safe Harbor is another reliable producer, especially for those targeting lake trout and the occasional bonus brown. In the rivers, steelhead are still around for another week or two, and folks are pulling smallmouth bass and walleye from the St. Louis River mouth as flow levels settle down[4][5].

The weather today looks stable—cool mornings, light chop on the lake, and sunshine poking through by midday. Always check the marine forecast before heading out, because Superior can turn fast. There’s no real tidal effect here on the lake, but those winds move water and bait around, so watch for birds and surface action.

Best of luck out there, and remember to keep your lines tight and your net handy. Lake Superior is showing off this spring—don’t miss it.