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Lake Superior Fishing Report: Smelt Running, Steelhead Fair, Trout & Coho Biting
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!
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!
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By Quiet. PleaseHey 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!
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!