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