This is Artificial Lure with your Duluth-area Lake Superior fishing report.
We’re sliding into full winter mode on the big lake. According to the National Weather Service Duluth office, we’re sitting in the teens to low 20s along the shore today with a stiff northwest breeze and lake-effect flurries. That wind is putting a bite in the air, but visibility is decent and nearshore ice is just starting to skim in the protected corners.
Sunrise is right around 7:45 a.m. with sunset close to 4:20 p.m., so you’ve got a tight feeding window—early and late are your money hours. Lake Superior doesn’t really have true ocean tides, just seiche swings, so focus more on wind direction and barometer than on any tide chart.
The U.S. Coast Guard’s Spar has kicked off ice-breaking operations for western Lake Superior, including Duluth-Superior, so shipping lanes are open and the main basin is wide water. That means no main-lake ice fishing yet—shore casting and small-boat work only where landings allow and conditions are safe.
Recent reports from local captains and bait shops around Duluth and Superior point to decent late-fall/early-winter action for **coho salmon, lake trout, and a few brown trout** when the lake lays down. Anglers working the Wisconsin side and the nearshore Minnesota shoreline have been picking a handful of fish per outing—nothing crazy, but quality over quantity.
Best producers:
- For trout and coho from shore:
Use 3/4–1 oz silver or silver/blue casting spoons, white or smelt-pattern jigging plastics, and floating spawn sacks under a slip bobber. Tip jigs with waxies or a minnow head when the bite is finicky.
- For small-boat trolling near breakwalls and river mouths:
Flat-line small stickbaits in natural smelt or blue/white, and run spoons off in-lines just outside the stained water. Slow roll—1.6 to 2.0 mph.
Bait-wise, **fresh shiner minnows, spawn bags, and wax worms** are your top options right now. Most shops are leaning heavy on trout gear; grab light fluorocarbon leaders—8 to 10 lb—for those clear Superior waters.
Fish activity has been best on stable, overcast days with a light west wind. Sudden cold snaps and big north blows have been turning the bite off, then on again 12–24 hours after things calm down.
A couple local hot spots to keep in mind:
- **Canal Park and the North Pier**:
When waves allow, casting heavy spoons and jigs off the canal can turn up lake trout and coho sliding along the shipping lane edges.
- **Lester River mouth and adjacent shoreline**:
Work the current seam where river water meets the lake with spawn bags and small spoons. Early and late in the day have been best, especially when there’s a bit of chop.
If you’re tempted to wander onto any forming shore ice, treat it as open water—early ice on Superior is not to be trusted. Stay on solid ground or the boat until we’re well into the deep freeze.
That’s the latest from the big lake. This is Artificial Lure—thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss tomorrow’s report.
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