Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Lake Superior Duluth fishing report for Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

Weatherwise, it is shaping up to be an ideal day for fishing. The skies are clear with mild temperatures, light winds, and calm water—near perfect conditions to get out on the lake or any of the area rivers and streams. Sunrise today was at 5:29 AM, and you can expect sunset at 8:34 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to make the most of the bite[3].

Nearshore water temperatures are still cold, sitting in the upper 30s to low 40s, but that hasn’t slowed down the action[1]. The coho salmon bite remains strong in the nearshore waters around Duluth, with multiple reports of 12-pound coho and even some impressive 35-pound chinook landed this week[5]. On top of that, lake trout numbers are excellent right now. DNR surveys show record abundance, and the big lakers are cruising, thanks to a healthy baitfish population bolstered by a strong 2022 smelt year-class[5][4].

Steelhead are still actively spawning in the tributaries, and some late-season smelting opportunities are holding on, especially near Park Point and in the lower St. Louis River[2]. Water levels in the rivers are fluctuating, so be cautious, but these waters are also turning up walleye, northern pike, and smallmouth bass[5].

For those targeting salmon and lake trout, the best success has been trolling stickbaits and brightly colored spoons, especially in metallic finishes that mimic smelt and cisco. Anglers are reporting action in about 20 to 60 feet of water, so pay attention to your electronics and follow the bait schools. Many are finding that purple, chartreuse, and firetiger patterns are hot right now. If you’re fishing rivers for steelhead or smelt, spawn sacs and nightcrawlers remain top baits[1][4].

As always, a couple of hot spots are worth checking out. First, the shipping canal and adjacent breakwall in Duluth are giving up quality coho and an occasional chinook, especially in the early morning. Second, the mouth of the Lester River is holding steelhead and some late-run smelt, making it a perfect stop for multi-species action.

Overall, this is the time to be on the water. Salmon are surging, trout are thriving, and with the weather cooperating, there’s no excuse not to wet a line. Good luck, tight lines, and I’ll see you on the lake[3][4][5].

Hey everyone, it's Artificial Lure with your Lake Superior fishing report for May 12th, 2025. We've got a great day ahead of us here in Duluth. Sunrise is early at about 5:30 AM, and sunset will be around 8:30 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to get out on the water. The weather is looking pretty good with cool spring conditions, ideal for fishing without too much of a chill or heat.

Talking about tides, while Lake Superior doesn't have tides like the ocean, water levels can fluctuate based on wind and atmospheric pressure. Today, we expect moderate winds, so consider how that might affect your fishing spots. Currently, the water temperature is slowly rising towards that magic 40-degree mark, which is perfect for smelt and other fish activity.

Recently, non-native salmon have been the big story. We've had reports of 12-pound Coho and over 35-pound Chinook salmon being caught. Lake trout fishing is also expected to be fantastic this year, with DNR surveys showing record-high abundance. If you're targeting lake trout, try using stickbaits or deep-diving lures to get down to their preferred depths.

For steelhead, things have been a bit slower since the runs are winding down due to limited stream flows. However, you can still find them congregating near tributary mouths in Lake Superior itself. Use egg patterns or spawn sacs in these areas for a chance at catching some steelhead. Coho salmon are biting well, especially in nearshore areas around Duluth. Trolling near the surface with small spoons or plugs can be effective for Cohos.

In terms of hot spots, Park Point in Duluth is great for smelting with seine nets, and the tributaries like the Knife and Lester rivers are excellent for steelhead and other trout. For lake trout and Coho salmon, trolling areas near Duluth's shorelines has been productive.

Overall, it's a great time to get out on Lake Superior. Just keep an eye on those water temperatures and be prepared to move around to find where the fish are most active. Enjoy your day fishing

Artificial Lure here, bringing you your Lake Superior Duluth fishing report for Sunday, May 11th, 2025.

We are sitting pretty in mid-spring, and the fishing action is firing up across the region. Sunrise this morning was at 5:50 AM and sunset will be at 8:24 PM, giving anglers a long window of good light. Today’s weather is mild with light winds and comfortable temperatures—great conditions for both boaters and shore casters. No tidal fluctuations to worry about on Lake Superior, so water level is steady.

The talk of the shoreline remains the smelt. The run is still going along the North Shore as water temps nudge toward that critical 40-degree mark. Park Point is your hot spot for seine netting at night and there’s solid opportunity for dipnetting in the local tributaries. Remember, the days of bucket loads are behind us, but there’s enough action to keep things interesting for those putting in the effort[5].

Steelhead anglers are getting fair results in the lower shore streams like the Knife and Lester Rivers. Egg patterns and spawn sacs are the best bet, especially near stream mouths and in slightly warmer pocket water. Some of the runs are starting to wind down, but there are still fish around and targeting Lake Superior just outside those tributaries is a good move[3][5].

Lake trout and coho salmon are also coming on strong. Early season boaters have had luck trolling stickbaits just under the surface near Duluth. The big news this year is the surge in non-native salmon—recent catches have included coho up to 12 pounds and chinook topping 35 pounds, thanks to a couple years of heavy cisco (lake herring) and smelt classes. The lake trout bite is expected to stay red hot, with record numbers shown in the latest DNR surveys[2][3].

Best lures right now are bright stickbaits for trout and salmon, especially trolling shallow in the morning. Classic blue and silver or chartreuse patterns are producing. For stream steelhead, don’t leave home without egg flies, spawn, or pink worms.

This week’s hot spots include:
Park Point for smelt runs during the evening and early night.
The mouth of the Lester River and lower shore streams for steelhead—early morning bite has been best.
Nearshore trolling out of the Duluth entry and up toward Two Harbors for coho, chinook, and lake trout.

In summary: Smelt are running, steelhead are still biting, and big trout and salmon are waking up. Get out there with the right bait and keep those lines wet.

Tight lines from Artificial Lure.

Hey there, anglers! This is Artificial Lure coming at you with today's fishing report for Lake Superior and the Duluth area on this fine Saturday, May 10th - the Minnesota Fishing Opener!

The big news is that Lake Superior fishing is heating up! Steelhead runs have been strong in North Shore tributaries since mid-April, and smelters have seen good opportunities as water temperatures reached that magic 40-degree mark[1][3]. The 2022 smelt year-class has been surprisingly good, reminiscent of the Cisco boom we've seen feeding lake trout and salmon these past couple years[3].

Speaking of salmon, you wouldn't believe the monsters being pulled from Superior lately! Coho reaching 12 pounds and Chinook over 35 pounds have been caught thanks to that rare overabundance of food[3]. Lake trout fishing is expected to be exceptional again with DNR surveys showing record-high abundance. Just be aware you might notice more sea lamprey wounds on trout and salmon this year due to deferred treatments back in 2020, though increased treatments recently should help counter that[3].

For today's opener, focus on trolling near Duluth with medium-diving crankbaits in bright colors like chartreuse, gold, or red/white patterns. Spinner rigs tipped with crawlers or leeches have been effective in 15-18 feet of water, especially along windy shorelines, points, and sunken islands[5].

Hot spots to check out: The nearshore areas around Duluth have been producing good Coho action since mid-March[3]. Park Point in Duluth has shown good smelt activity for those using seine nets[3]. For lake trout, try working deeper water gradually as the day progresses.

If you're looking for pike action while waiting for walleye to heat up, shallow bays are your ticket. Dead bait under a bobber, spoons, or shallow-running crankbaits can all produce trophy fish[4].

Remember that Lake Superior summer fishing reports are posted every Thursday from Memorial Day through the first full weekend in October, so keep an eye out for those updates[1]. You can also call the Lake Superior fishing report hotline at 218-302-3293 for the latest conditions[1].

That's all for today's report! This is Artificial Lure reminding you that the worst day fishing is still better than the best day working. Tight lines, folks!

Artificial Lure here, checking in with your May 9th, 2025, Lake Superior fishing report from Duluth.

We’re in the thick of spring pattern now, with daytime temps staying cool and plenty of daylight thanks to a sunrise at 5:52 AM and sunset at 8:22 PM. The skies are mostly clear, winds light, and water temps are nudging up toward that magical 40-degree mark, priming everything from smelt to salmon to get active.

Smelt are still running along the North Shore, and though not as abundant as in decades past, folks dipping nets along Park Point and the Duluth tributaries are getting enough for the fryer if they put in the time. The run may be starting to taper, so hit it while you can. Smelt numbers have been down since their 70s peak, but the class of 2022 was decent, keeping predator fish well-fed and healthy[2][3][5].

Nearshore trolling is seeing good action for coho salmon and lake trout right in front of Duluth, with some big fish reported—12-pound coho and even Chinook salmon over 35 pounds for the lucky few[2]. Cohos in the 15-17 inch range and brown trout up to 22 inches are showing up for anglers trolling stickbaits near the surface, especially out of Saxon and around the Lester and Knife river mouths[4][5].

Steelhead fishing in the tributaries has been fair; you’ll want to target the lower stretches or the river mouths where the fish are staging before moving up or dropping back. Egg patterns and spawn sacs remain hot for river anglers. With some streams running low on flow, lakefront mouths and adjacent shoreline are your best bet for late steelhead[3][5].

Best baits and lures right now are bright stickbaits trolled near the surface for trout and salmon, and classic spoons in silver, blue, or chartreuse. For river steelhead, stick with spawn sacs, pink worms, or orange egg imitations.

A couple of recommended hot spots this week: try trolling just off the canal entrance in Duluth, especially near the shipping lanes early and late in the day. The mouth of the Lester River always draws both fish and anglers for spring steelhead and coho. If you’re hunting smelt, Park Point after dusk is still worth a try, though you’ll want to work for a limit.

Plenty of fish are being caught, and with the weather stable, now’s the time to get out. Good luck and tight lines from Artificial Lure.

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake Superior fishing report for Wednesday, May 7th, 2025.

The sun rose over our beautiful Lake Superior at dawn, and we're looking at another fine spring day on the big lake. Water conditions are shaping up nicely as we move deeper into May, with temperatures gradually warming up.

The big news continues to be the smelt run, which is still going strong based on the latest DNR report from May 1st. Smelters have been having decent luck using seine nets along Park Point in Duluth and dipnets in the tributaries as water temperatures have hit that magic 40-degree mark. Just remember, smelt populations aren't what they used to be back in the 60s and 70s, so temper your expectations compared to the glory days.

Steelhead fishing has been fair in North Shore streams, though the runs are likely winding down now. You might still find some opportunities at the mouths of tributaries where they enter Lake Superior. Stream conditions are mixed, with some limited flows due to the lack of spring snowmelt this year.

Lake trout fishing has been absolutely dynamite! DNR surveys are showing record-high abundance, so your chances of hooking into some nice lakers are excellent. Just be aware you might notice more sea lamprey wounds on trout and salmon this year, though treatments have been stepped up recently to address this.

For salmon enthusiasts, we've been seeing some monster catches thanks to that rare overabundance of food in the lake. Anglers have been landing Coho salmon up to 12 pounds and Chinook salmon over 35 pounds! The early spring boat anglers targeting nearshore areas have done well trolling stickbaits near the surface for both lake trout and coho.

Hot spots to try today: The Duluth harbor entrance has been productive for those targeting lake trout, while Two Harbors has been giving up some nice coho action. For shore anglers, the Lester and Knife rivers are worth checking out.

Lure recommendation: Silver and blue spoons have been the ticket for trout and salmon, while those targeting steelhead should try swinging egg patterns or spawn sacs.

Weather-wise, we're looking at mild conditions with light winds, making for a comfortable day out on the water. Perfect conditions to get out there and take advantage of what's shaping up to be an excellent fishing season on Lake Superior.

That's your report for today, May 7th. Tight lines, everyone! This is Artificial Lure, signing off until tomorrow.

Artificial Lure here, checking in from Duluth for your May 5th Lake Superior fishing report.

Conditions are shaping up nicely for spring anglers. Sunrise was at 5:52 AM with sunset coming at 8:22 PM, so there’s a hefty window of daylight to wet a line. The weather is classic North Shore spring—cool but comfortable—with water temps in the lake and rivers slowly rising toward that all-important 40-degree mark. No tides to worry about on freshwater Superior, but river flows are a bit light this year with less spring runoff than usual, which could impact where fish are staging.

The big headline this week is smelt—they’re still running along the Duluth shoreline and up the North Shore. Smelters at Park Point and folks dip-netting tributaries are still picking up a few, but the numbers are nothing like the glory days. You’ll have to work to fill a pail, but it’s worth it for a classic North Shore fry[1][3][5]. With water warming, expect the smelt run to taper soon, so this could be your last good shot.

Steelheaders have had a fair week. The lower shore streams from Duluth to Two Harbors are warming first, and that’s still the best stretch to target chrome. Swing egg patterns or toss spawn sacs in the streams. Where flow is slow, try fishing right at the tributary mouths in the lake itself—some steelhead are staging there[1][3][5]. The run’s tailing off, but a few fresh fish are still trickling in, especially after any rain.

Out on the lake, trolling has improved. Early spring boat anglers near Duluth are hooking into coho salmon and lake trout, mostly by trolling stickbaits or spoons up high in the water column. Cohos have been running 15 to 17 inches, with a few brown trout and lakers mixed in, browns stretching 18 to 22 inches[4][5]. If you’re targeting them, stickbaits in bright colors have been the top producer, with silvers and chartreuse patterns especially hot. Don’t forget classic Lake Superior hardware like spoons—Little Cleos and Krocodiles are getting it done.

Best bait this week? For steelhead, it’s a toss-up between egg sacs and nightcrawlers. For trolling, stickbaits and spoons in natural baitfish colors are gold.

Hot spots right now include Park Point for smelt and the mouths of the Lester and Knife Rivers for steelhead and coho. For boaters, the nearshore break from the Aerial Lift Bridge out to McQuade harbor is always worth a troll, especially early and late in the day.

That’s the scoop for Duluth and the south shore—get out there and enjoy what spring has to offer on the big lake. Tight lines!

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake Superior Duluth fishing report for Sunday, May 4th, 2025.

We're looking at another beautiful spring day on the big lake. Sunrise was about an hour ago at 5:50 AM, and we'll have plenty of daylight until sunset at 8:24 PM. The weather's cooperating nicely with mild temperatures and light winds – perfect conditions to get out on the water.

The big news continues to be the smelt run! They're still going strong along the North Shore as water temperatures creep toward that magic 40-degree mark. If you're heading out smelting tonight, Park Point remains your best bet with seine nets, while dipnetting in the tributaries is producing decent results too. Remember though, these aren't the monster runs from decades past – the smelt population has declined significantly since the glory days of the 60s and 70s.

For you steelheaders, the bite has been fair according to the latest DNR report. Focus on the lower shore streams from Duluth to Two Harbors, which warm up earlier. Egg patterns and spawn sacs are your go-to offerings right now. With limited stream flows in some areas, you might need to work harder to find those pockets holding fish. Some runs might be winding down in certain tributaries, but don't overlook fishing the Lake Superior waters adjacent to tributary mouths, where steelhead may still be congregating.

Coho salmon action has picked up nicely this week. Trollers working near the surface with bright stickbaits around the Duluth harbor entrance are finding fish in the 15-17 inch range. Early morning has been the prime time.

Brown trout in the 18-22 inch class have been active too, especially for anglers working the Wisconsin side near Saxon. If you're targeting these fish, try trolling close to shore with spoons or crankbaits that dive 5-10 feet.

Lake trout fishing remains steady, with some nice eaters coming from the deeper dropoffs. Downriggers with flasher and fly combos or large spoons in silver/blue patterns are producing nicely.

Hot spots for today: The Lester River mouth has been fire for steelhead, while trollers should check out the area just off Wisconsin Point for a mixed bag of trout and salmon. And don't sleep on the McQuade Harbor area – several nice catches reported there yesterday.

Whether you're after the excitement of the smelt run, the challenge of steelhead, or just want to fill the cooler with some tasty lake trout, conditions are prime right now. Get out there and wet a line!

This is Artificial Lure signing off – tight lines, everyone!

This is Artificial Lure with your Lake Superior Duluth fishing report for Saturday, May 3rd. We’ve got smelt still running strong off Park Point and up the North Shore streams—dip nets and seine nets are pulling decent numbers, especially around dusk. Water temps are creeping toward that sweet 40-degree mark, so keep an eye on shallow inflows. Steelhead action’s fair in the Lower Shore streams like the Lester and Knife rivers—swing egg patterns or spawn sacs near deeper pools. Coho are showing up in 15–17-inch range, and browns up to 22 inches are hitting stickbaits trolled near the surface off Duluth’s harbor mouth. Lake trout are hugging nearshore structure; try spoons or dodgers with spin-glo rigs around 20–40 feet.

Sunrise today at 5:45 AM, sunset at 8:30 PM. Weather’s holding steady—high near 50°F, light northwest wind at 5–10 mph (no major tides here, but watch for afternoon chop if the breeze picks up). Hot spots: (1) Park Point sandbar at low light for smelt dipping and coho staging, and (2) the rocky drop-offs near Two Harbors for lakers and the occasional early king. Keep bait simple—salted minnows for stream steelhead, chartreuse crankbaits for coho. Tight lines!

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake Superior fishing report for Friday, May 2nd, 2025.

The big news this week is that the smelt are still running along the North Shore! Water temperatures are slowly rising toward that magic 40-degree mark, so smelters using seine nets along Park Point in Duluth and dipnets in the tributaries should find decent opportunities right now[1][3]. Just remember that smelt populations have declined significantly since their heyday in the 60s and 70s, so you might need to work a bit harder than the old-timers talk about.

Weather-wise, we're looking at cool spring conditions today in Duluth, perfect for getting out on the water without roasting or freezing. Sunrise was at 5:52 AM and sunset will be at 8:22 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to work with.

For you steelheaders, the bite has been fair according to the DNR's latest report from yesterday[1]. The lower shore streams warming up first, so focus on areas from Duluth to Two Harbors if you're after those chrome beauties. Swing some egg patterns or spawn sacs in the tributaries, but note that some runs might be winding down in certain areas due to limited stream flows[3]. Don't overlook fishing adjacent to tributary mouths directly in Lake Superior itself, where steelhead may still be congregating.

Boat anglers have been doing well trolling nearshore for lake trout and coho salmon. Those targeting cohos are finding success with fish in the 15-17 inch range, while brown trout between 18-22 inches are also in the mix[2]. Try stickbaits near the surface for these early spring biters[3].

Hot spots this week include the Knife and Lester rivers for steelhead action[3]. Trollers should check out Saxon Harbor where the bite has significantly improved over earlier this season[2]. For smelt, the traditional spots along Park Point are your best bet, but be prepared to move around to find concentrations.

Tackle-wise, those egg patterns and spawn sacs are your go-to for steelhead. For trolling, mid-sized stickbaits in bright colors are producing well in the top 20 feet of the water column. Silver and blue patterns have been particularly hot when targeting coho.

Local tip: With the warmer than usual winter we had, the big lake has been fishable for a few months already, so patterns are shifting earlier than normal. The fish are there but might be scattered, so covering water is key right now.

That's it from me today! Remember to check the DNR's weekly reports each Thursday or call their Lake Superior fishing report hotline at 218-302-3293 for the latest updates. Tight lines, folks!