As of January 16, 2025, the fishing scene on Lake Superior, particularly around the Duluth area, is quite active despite the chilly winter conditions.
### Weather and Ice Conditions
The weather is cold, with temperatures ranging from the single digits to the mid-teens Fahrenheit. Ice conditions on Lake Superior are variable and require extreme caution. Local fishing clubs, outfitters, and bait shops are the best sources for current ice conditions. Make sure to use an ice spud bar constantly, wear a floatation suit, and have ice picks readily available. Ice creepers or cleats are also recommended due to the lack of snow on the ice.
### Sunrise and Sunset
Sunrise today is at around 7:45 AM, and sunset is expected at about 4:45 PM.
### Fish Activity
Yesterday saw a good number of catches in various spots around the Duluth area. On the Ashland side, anglers at Kreher Park and Second Landing reported nice catches of perch (9-11 inches), along with some walleye (15-25 inches), northern pike (26-34 inches), and whitefish (17-20 inches)[1].
On the Washburn side, anglers out from Bono Creek, Thompson Park, the Washburn Coal Dock, and Memorial Park caught a mixed bag of fish. This included splake (15-20 inches), brown trout (15-22 inches), herring (15-19 inches), whitefish (17-20 inches), perch (9-11 inches), and the occasional coho salmon (14-16 inches) and northern pike (26-34 inches)[1].
### Best Lures and Bait
The most successful anglers are using spoons, jigging minnowbaits, lake shiners, sucker minnows, or golden shiners. For deeper waters, jigging raps and using lake shiners or golden shiners have been effective[1].
### Hot Spots
- **Kreher Park and Second Landing** on the Ashland side for perch, walleye, northern pike, and whitefish.
- **Bono Creek, Thompson Park, the Washburn Coal Dock, and Memorial Park** on the Washburn side for a mixed bag including splake, brown trout, herring, whitefish, perch, coho salmon, and northern pike.
### Tidal Report
While Lake Superior does not have tides in the traditional sense, water levels and flows are managed. The St. Marys River flow, which affects Lake Superior's water levels, is expected to be around 1,790 cubic meters per second (63,200 cfs) in January, as prescribed by Regulation Plan 2012[2].
Remember to exercise extreme caution on the ice and enjoy your time out on the lake. Good luck fishing