fishing on the north shore
So here you are on the biggest freshwater lake in the world. Have you thought about fishing?
You can fish Lake Superior, it’s tributaries or inland lakes and streams. Catch lake trout and a variety of salmon on the big lake, trout and salmon in streams, and walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, perch and brook trout from inland lakes. See fish descriptions and a few tips on catching below.
No boat? Don’t worry. Shorecast form any public lands along Lake Superior, [think public access areas and state parks]. Inland, choose one of the fishing piers noted below, or hire a charter. You can find charter fishing boats in Duluth, Two Harbors, Silver Bay and Grand Marais. Inland fishing guides are centered along the Gunflint Trail with a few near Grand Marais.
Licenses, bait, tackle and gear can be found at most gas stations and outfitters along the shore and up the Gunflint Trail-see the list below. You will need a trout stamp if fishing for trout. What happens if you don’t catch any? Well, you probably had a great day outdoors, but check local grocery stores and fish markets for fresh and smoked Lake Superior fish, too!
Check out details on the specific fish below and here are the details for the Spring Creel Report on Lake Superior Tributaries.
Prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species by cleaning boats and gear, draining water, and drying your watercraft. Did you know boating and fishing are threatened by the spread of aquatic invasive species? Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are organisms that are not native and cause significant harm to an ecosystem when introduced. Harmful impacts can include effects on local game fish populations and impaired swimming waters.
good luck fishing!
north shore charter fishing and guides
mile 109.1 + 0.1 miles
Captain Gary is a USCG licensed charter boat captain with over 30 years of experience fishing out of the Grand Marais marina on Lake Superior. During May and June, we will be downrigging in deeper water for lake trout and salmon. During the months of July, August, and September the salmon action picks up and the lake trout come closer to the surface. During these months we will be using a combination of downriggers, boards, and dipsy divers.
115 S 8th Ave | Grand Marais
218-370-5800
mile 76.9
| Tofte
218-663-9932
mile 109.1
| Grand Marais
218-370-0418
mile 109.1 + 0.1 miles
115 S 8th Ave | Grand Marais
218-370-8726
mile 190.8
22 1st #818 | Grand Marais
218-387-3136
mile 109.7 + 0.1 miles
115 S 8th Ave | Grand Marais
218-387-5035
mile 109.3 + 4.0 miles
69 Brandon Lane | Grand Marais
218-388-9942
Activities
Check out these North Shore Favorites
upcoming events
- George Morrison “Connections” Exhibit
- April 18, 2022 - September 30, 2022
- Grand Marais Art Colony June courses
- June 1, 2022 - June 30, 2022
- North House Folk School June Courses
- June 1, 2022 - June 30, 2022
- Steve Simmer Exhibit
- June 1, 2022 - June 30, 2022
- Sailing on the Hjørdis
- June 1, 2022 - August 31, 2022
- see all events
state record fish
- Atlantic Salmon: 12 pounds, 13 oz; Baptism River at Tettegouche State Park
- Chinook Salmon: [shared record] 33 pounds 4 oz, Poplar River, Lutsen and Lake Superior, near Duluth
- Coho Salmon: 10 pounds 6.5 oz, Lake Superior, northeast of Two Harbors
- Pink Salmon: 4 pounds 8 oz, Cascade River, Lutsen
- Steelhead Rainbow: 16 pounds 6 oz, Devil Track River, Grand Marais
- Lake Trout: 43 pounds 8 oz, Lake Superior, Hovland
- Brown Trout: 16 pounds 12 oz, Lake Superior, northeast of Two Harbors
- Walleye: 17 pounds 8oz, Seagull River, end of the Gunflint Trail
fish descriptions & tips
walleye
description
Average 1-2 pounds, but can exceed 10 pounds
Found in shallow waters (less than 15 feet) moving to deeper waters as temperatures increase, best bite is at dawn & dusk
A “walleye chop” (waves) on the water or overcast skies usually means more active fish
tips
Try a spinner-bait, slip-bobber rig or jig head with bait (minnow, leech or nightcrawler)
smallmouth bass
description
average weight 1 pound; great fighting fish
found in shallow water [less than 15 feet] moving to deeper waters as temperatures increase
tips
try a spinner-bait combo or troll with a Rapala
lake trout
description
average 2-3 pounds, but can exceed 40 pounds
prefer cold water, so move deeper as temperatures rise
tips
for shorecasting, try yarn flies, tiny spinners or spoons
from a boat, try dodger fly with downriggers or planer boards
other trout: brook, brown, splake, rainbow
description
average .5 – 1 pound, elusive fish
found in pools on shaded small streams, and tributaries and small inland lakes
tips
small spinners, nightcrawlers or flies
check regulations concerning live bait
salmon: chinook, coho, pink, & atlantic
description
size varies with type of salmon
can be found on Lake Superior and it’s tributaries
tips
pinks run in odd-numbered years and are caught late summer
Coho prefer cooler water and are found in early July
Chinook run peaks in early July
Atlantics have a fall run around the first of October
where to fish from shore
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR] and US Forest Service [USFS] provide accessible fishing piers in the North Shore area. These are great areas to fish if you don’t have a boat.
hogback lake
Accessible fishing pier at rustic campground; fish for rainbow trout and splake
From Hwy 61 MM 60, drive north on the MN Hwy 1 for 22 miles, turn east / right on the Wanless Road for 11.9 miles
crescent lake
Fish for walleye, smallmouth bass and an occasional muskie from this pier. An accessible campsite is adjacent to the pier.
From Hwy 61 MM 83.2, drive north on the Sawbill Trail for 17 miles, turn west / right on the Wanless Road for 11.9 miles
sawbill lake
Cast for walleyes and enjoy the view of the lake.
From Hwy 61 MM 83.2, drive north on the Sawbill Trail for 23 miles.
white pine lake
Try for walleye or northern at dawn or dusk.
From Hwy 61 MM 92.5, drive north on the Caribou Trail 6.7 miles, go west / left on the Honeymoon Trail for 2.6 miles, then right onto white Pine Access Road
mink lake
Catch splake and rainbow trout off the pier.
From Hwy 61 MM 109.1, drive north on 5th Ave W for .7 miles, turn left onto the Gunflint Trail for 10 miles, thens east / right onto Trout Lake Road for 1.7 miles
trestle pine lake
Note the old railroad trestle crossing the lake; fish for rainbow and splake.
From Hwy 61 MM 90.1, drive north on 5th Ave W for .7 miles, turn left onto the Gunflint Trail for 3 miles, west / left on Devil Track Road for 5.7 miles, north / right on Ball Club Road 4.6 miles, then east / right on Trestle Pine Road for .9 miles
