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Lake Superior Fishing Report: Monster Salmon, Trout Bonanza on the North Shore
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.
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.
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By Quiet. PleaseGood 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.
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.