"I fish because I love to. Because I love the environs where Trout are found, which are invariably beautiful, and hate the environs where crowds of people are found, which are invariably ugly."
-Robert Traver
Short on population, but high on beauty and running water, the northwestern shoreline of Lake Superior, stretching from Duluth to Terrace Bay, offers the adventurous angler excellent fishing and unbeatable surroundings. Rising from large inland lakes or swamps, these freestone streams tumble, then gallop down the granite bedrock of the coastal hills as they race torwards Lake Superior. If you were to cross these streams during low water periods of late summer, you'd see nothing to convince you of their ruggedness. Make no mistake, this is wild country where mother nature has yet to be tamed. Spring runoff or heavy rain events will turn these small to medium sized rivers into a raging wall of whitewater for several days or even weeks on end, throwing trees 10 feet up the banks and gouging out impossibly deep corner pools straight through volcanic rock. With gradients up to and over 200 feet per mile in some stretches (the Driftless average is less than 10), its no surprise that this area is also renowned as a whitewater kayaking destination. Keep this in mind when you scout out a stretch to wade!
Duluth to Grand Portage
Beginning with the Lester River on the edge of Duluth, this portion of the shore offers up some of best easy to access water for all natural Steelhead in the lower 48. Not native, but long since naturalized, these fish are one of the finest strains in the world,with power well above their weight. With a few exceptions, you'll find the barriers to upstream migration within a mile or two of the lake, due to the steep topography of the coastline. For those streams without barriers, there will generally be a fish sanctuary in place above a certain point to allow the fish easy access to the spawning gravel in the headwaters. The Knife is one of these rivers, and as a result it hosts the largest Steelhead run in the state. The Sucker Hole, just below 61, can host fast action when fish are pushing in hard and fast from the lake. Above the hole, from the falls on up, the stream is closed until June 15th to protect the spawners. Smaller but very fishable runs of Steel will run rivers like the Stewart, Split Rock, Gooseberry, Baptism, Cross and Cascade from March-May every year. The timing of the run will vary based on spring breakup and flows, and can differ as much as 6-7 weeks from one year to the next.
Around Duluth, you'll also encounter Kamloops Trout, a hatchery raised strain of Rainbows that generally reach 4-5 lbs. They will have a clipped adipose fin and harvest is encouraged, take them home! There has been some concern in recent years with Kamloops Trout hybridizing with natural Steelhead, thus weakening the genetics of our long naturalized strain of fish. The French, Lester, and Stewart Rivers see good numbers of Loopers most years, although scattered fish will surface on occasion well up the shore. During milder winters, fish can be caught just off the mouth of the French on spinning or fly gear.
Above the barriers, many of these same rivers host good populations of resident Brook Trout. These fish are not native above the barriers, having largely been introduced by loggers as a food source. That said, they've become naturalized, generally do quite well, and require no supplemental stocking in most cases. Rainbows will show up in a few streams, and occasionally you'll find a stream with some Browns. June-August is prime time on these rivers assuming good flows, don't forget the DEET and head nets, you'll need them. Terrestrials fish well, as do buggers and old school patterns like the Pass Lake. Spinners or spoons will take plenty of fish. The Finland/Isabella Area boasts a large collection of Trout Lakes; some will be easy to access, others will require a hike, but all can provide good fishing for Brookies and Rainbows, especially through the ice.
Come September, Pink Salmon will begin arriving in the same streams that host Steelhead in the spring. Ironically enough, they're suckers for anything pink. Pinks are far and away the most prolific Pacific Salmon on the Minnesota Shoreline due to lower juvenile requirements. Limited runs of Chinook and Coho Salmon will also show up in several streams. This portion of the lake isn't very conductive to hosting populations of Salmon for several reasons, namely forage and juvenile habitat. A recent, welcome returnee to the fishery has been the legendary Coaster Brook Trout. All but extirpated by the 1960s, they've held on despite overfishing and competition with non-native Salmonids, and with help have now begun a furious comeback. Fishable numbers of these large lake runners now reach well down the Minnesota shoreline.
Campsites are available in all of the State Parks, as well as several rustic sites scattered along the shoreline. Many lodging options are available in Duluth, Two Harbors, Beaver Bay, Lutsen and Grand Marais, along with the Casino at Grand Portage.
Above the barriers, many of these same rivers host good populations of resident Brook Trout. These fish are not native above the barriers, having largely been introduced by loggers as a food source. That said, they've become naturalized, generally do quite well, and require no supplemental stocking in most cases. Rainbows will show up in a few streams, and occasionally you'll find a stream with some Browns. June-August is prime time on these rivers assuming good flows, don't forget the DEET and head nets, you'll need them. Terrestrials fish well, as do buggers and old school patterns like the Pass Lake. Spinners or spoons will take plenty of fish. The Finland/Isabella Area boasts a large collection of Trout Lakes; some will be easy to access, others will require a hike, but all can provide good fishing for Brookies and Rainbows, especially through the ice.
Campsites are available in all of the State Parks, as well as several rustic sites scattered along the shoreline. Many lodging options are available in Duluth, Two Harbors, Beaver Bay, Lutsen and Grand Marais, along with the Casino at Grand Portage.
Grand Portage to Terrace Bay
Once one crosses the Pigeon River into Canada, the potential of their angling experience goes up exponentially. With several warm, protected bays hosting a northern exposure, baitfish growth is no longer inhibited. Combine that with large watersheds less prone to drought and excellent genetics in their fish populations, and you've found an angling paradise.Beginning with Thunder Bay and reaching up and east to Marathon, you'll find a large collection of freestone streams with excellent populations of residents and quality migratory runs as well. The Nipigon River (pronounced Nipig-in) is world famous for its large Brook Trout and remains first class, and it even hosts an impressive Steelhead run. Other streams such as the McKenzie, Black Sturgeon, Jackpine, Gravel and Steel Rivers all host impressive spring runs of Steelhead.
Come fall, all of these streams and more host large runs of Pink Salmon. Big Chinooks of up to 25 lbs will show up in the Black Sturgeon, Nipigon and Steel Rivers, with Coho later running the Nipigon, Jackpine, Gravel and Steel River as well. Fall run Steelhead are liable to show up in any of these streams, you'll find them just behind the pods of spawning Salmon. This area is Coaster Central, and all the aforementioned streams and many more host large runs of these true natives to Gitche Gumee. Timing of these runs can vary, but Chinooks will generally start to run by the last week of August, barring low water, and peak around the third week of September. They will be closely followed by the Pinks. Occasionally, they will even produce a cross breed called a Pinook. By the time the Chinooks finish up, Cohos will begin their run, and remain in fishable numbers into November some years. Coasters will run into the rivers all summer when presented with good flows, and will feed on eggs before they begin nuptials themselves in October.
Camping is available just about anywhere on the shoreline, with lodging in Thunder Bay, Nipigon and Terrace Bay.
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