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Memorial Day Fishing Forecast: Cohos, Lakers, and Steelhead in Duluth's Twin Ports
Artificial Lure here with your Lake Superior Duluth fishing report for Monday, May 26, 2025.
We’re rolling into Memorial Day with classic chilly Duluth weather. Early risers saw calm water at sunrise, which was at 5:22 this morning, but expect a bit of chop as the wind picks up through the day. Sunset tonight is at 8:48, giving anglers a long day to get after it. No tidal swings to report for Lake Superior, just good old-fashioned wind and wave action.
The bite’s been solid the last few days in the Twin Ports area. Coho salmon are still coming in hot around the nearshore waters, especially right out from the Duluth entry. Plenty of boats got into healthy 12-pound Cohos this past week, a real treat for late May. Some lucky anglers have even landed monster Chinook pushing over 35 pounds, thanks to a recent boom in baitfish like smelt and cisco moving through the system. Lake trout numbers are looking fantastic too, with DNR surveys showing some of the best abundance in years. Folks trolling deeper water around 80 to 120 feet between McQuade Harbor and Knife River are seeing steady action on lakers. Don’t be surprised if you spot a sea lamprey wound or two on your catch as lamprey control efforts are still bouncing back, but trout are fat and fighting hard[4].
Streams like the Lester and French rivers are flowing well and offering decent pulls of steelhead and an occasional brown. While the spring steelhead run is winding down, persistent anglers with drifted spawn sacks or pink yarn flies are still finding a few chrome fish in the deeper runs and tailouts[5].
For lures, trolling spoons in silver, blue, and chartreuse have been tops for salmon, especially early and late in the day. Try flutter spoons, Moonshines, and DWs in 3- to 4-inch sizes. Lakers are hitting white or glow spoons, and don’t overlook classic stickbaits like Rapalas or Bombers if fish are marking higher in the water column. Live bait fans are doing well with cut smelt and sucker strips fished behind dodgers.
Hot spots right now include the areas just outside of Duluth shipping canal, McQuade Safe Harbor, and the section between Lester River and Two Harbors. For shore anglers, Park Point and Brighton Beach are always safe bets, especially with a cooler full of smelt and a good wind.
All in all, it’s shaping up to be a great kickoff to the summer season. Fish are biting, so dust off your favorite rod, grab some spoons and bait, and get out there!
That’s your report from Artificial Lure. Tight lines, and see you on the water[2][4][5].
We’re rolling into Memorial Day with classic chilly Duluth weather. Early risers saw calm water at sunrise, which was at 5:22 this morning, but expect a bit of chop as the wind picks up through the day. Sunset tonight is at 8:48, giving anglers a long day to get after it. No tidal swings to report for Lake Superior, just good old-fashioned wind and wave action.
The bite’s been solid the last few days in the Twin Ports area. Coho salmon are still coming in hot around the nearshore waters, especially right out from the Duluth entry. Plenty of boats got into healthy 12-pound Cohos this past week, a real treat for late May. Some lucky anglers have even landed monster Chinook pushing over 35 pounds, thanks to a recent boom in baitfish like smelt and cisco moving through the system. Lake trout numbers are looking fantastic too, with DNR surveys showing some of the best abundance in years. Folks trolling deeper water around 80 to 120 feet between McQuade Harbor and Knife River are seeing steady action on lakers. Don’t be surprised if you spot a sea lamprey wound or two on your catch as lamprey control efforts are still bouncing back, but trout are fat and fighting hard[4].
Streams like the Lester and French rivers are flowing well and offering decent pulls of steelhead and an occasional brown. While the spring steelhead run is winding down, persistent anglers with drifted spawn sacks or pink yarn flies are still finding a few chrome fish in the deeper runs and tailouts[5].
For lures, trolling spoons in silver, blue, and chartreuse have been tops for salmon, especially early and late in the day. Try flutter spoons, Moonshines, and DWs in 3- to 4-inch sizes. Lakers are hitting white or glow spoons, and don’t overlook classic stickbaits like Rapalas or Bombers if fish are marking higher in the water column. Live bait fans are doing well with cut smelt and sucker strips fished behind dodgers.
Hot spots right now include the areas just outside of Duluth shipping canal, McQuade Safe Harbor, and the section between Lester River and Two Harbors. For shore anglers, Park Point and Brighton Beach are always safe bets, especially with a cooler full of smelt and a good wind.
All in all, it’s shaping up to be a great kickoff to the summer season. Fish are biting, so dust off your favorite rod, grab some spoons and bait, and get out there!
That’s your report from Artificial Lure. Tight lines, and see you on the water[2][4][5].
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By Quiet. PleaseArtificial Lure here with your Lake Superior Duluth fishing report for Monday, May 26, 2025.
We’re rolling into Memorial Day with classic chilly Duluth weather. Early risers saw calm water at sunrise, which was at 5:22 this morning, but expect a bit of chop as the wind picks up through the day. Sunset tonight is at 8:48, giving anglers a long day to get after it. No tidal swings to report for Lake Superior, just good old-fashioned wind and wave action.
The bite’s been solid the last few days in the Twin Ports area. Coho salmon are still coming in hot around the nearshore waters, especially right out from the Duluth entry. Plenty of boats got into healthy 12-pound Cohos this past week, a real treat for late May. Some lucky anglers have even landed monster Chinook pushing over 35 pounds, thanks to a recent boom in baitfish like smelt and cisco moving through the system. Lake trout numbers are looking fantastic too, with DNR surveys showing some of the best abundance in years. Folks trolling deeper water around 80 to 120 feet between McQuade Harbor and Knife River are seeing steady action on lakers. Don’t be surprised if you spot a sea lamprey wound or two on your catch as lamprey control efforts are still bouncing back, but trout are fat and fighting hard[4].
Streams like the Lester and French rivers are flowing well and offering decent pulls of steelhead and an occasional brown. While the spring steelhead run is winding down, persistent anglers with drifted spawn sacks or pink yarn flies are still finding a few chrome fish in the deeper runs and tailouts[5].
For lures, trolling spoons in silver, blue, and chartreuse have been tops for salmon, especially early and late in the day. Try flutter spoons, Moonshines, and DWs in 3- to 4-inch sizes. Lakers are hitting white or glow spoons, and don’t overlook classic stickbaits like Rapalas or Bombers if fish are marking higher in the water column. Live bait fans are doing well with cut smelt and sucker strips fished behind dodgers.
Hot spots right now include the areas just outside of Duluth shipping canal, McQuade Safe Harbor, and the section between Lester River and Two Harbors. For shore anglers, Park Point and Brighton Beach are always safe bets, especially with a cooler full of smelt and a good wind.
All in all, it’s shaping up to be a great kickoff to the summer season. Fish are biting, so dust off your favorite rod, grab some spoons and bait, and get out there!
That’s your report from Artificial Lure. Tight lines, and see you on the water[2][4][5].
We’re rolling into Memorial Day with classic chilly Duluth weather. Early risers saw calm water at sunrise, which was at 5:22 this morning, but expect a bit of chop as the wind picks up through the day. Sunset tonight is at 8:48, giving anglers a long day to get after it. No tidal swings to report for Lake Superior, just good old-fashioned wind and wave action.
The bite’s been solid the last few days in the Twin Ports area. Coho salmon are still coming in hot around the nearshore waters, especially right out from the Duluth entry. Plenty of boats got into healthy 12-pound Cohos this past week, a real treat for late May. Some lucky anglers have even landed monster Chinook pushing over 35 pounds, thanks to a recent boom in baitfish like smelt and cisco moving through the system. Lake trout numbers are looking fantastic too, with DNR surveys showing some of the best abundance in years. Folks trolling deeper water around 80 to 120 feet between McQuade Harbor and Knife River are seeing steady action on lakers. Don’t be surprised if you spot a sea lamprey wound or two on your catch as lamprey control efforts are still bouncing back, but trout are fat and fighting hard[4].
Streams like the Lester and French rivers are flowing well and offering decent pulls of steelhead and an occasional brown. While the spring steelhead run is winding down, persistent anglers with drifted spawn sacks or pink yarn flies are still finding a few chrome fish in the deeper runs and tailouts[5].
For lures, trolling spoons in silver, blue, and chartreuse have been tops for salmon, especially early and late in the day. Try flutter spoons, Moonshines, and DWs in 3- to 4-inch sizes. Lakers are hitting white or glow spoons, and don’t overlook classic stickbaits like Rapalas or Bombers if fish are marking higher in the water column. Live bait fans are doing well with cut smelt and sucker strips fished behind dodgers.
Hot spots right now include the areas just outside of Duluth shipping canal, McQuade Safe Harbor, and the section between Lester River and Two Harbors. For shore anglers, Park Point and Brighton Beach are always safe bets, especially with a cooler full of smelt and a good wind.
All in all, it’s shaping up to be a great kickoff to the summer season. Fish are biting, so dust off your favorite rod, grab some spoons and bait, and get out there!
That’s your report from Artificial Lure. Tight lines, and see you on the water[2][4][5].