Gear & Tackle

Lakes & Reservoirs

Spin, Cast & Bait

Lake Superior (Duluth) Fishing Guide

Minnesota

Lake Superior along the shore from Duluth toward Two Harbors, with lake trout, coho, and Chinook in summer and shore casting for steelhead and browns in the cold months.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Lake Superior (Duluth) for brown trout, lake trout, steelhead, chinook salmon and coho salmon. In October, brown trout and steelhead are in season, and Suspending Jerkbait, Paddle-Tail Swimbait and Casting Spoon are a good place to start. There are 5 shops within 25 miles (1 fly, 4 bait and tackle); the closest is Superior Fly Angler in Superior, about 6 mi away. St. Louis River Estuary is also nearby if you want to make a trip of it.

Season at a Glance

Brown Trout
Lake Trout
Steelhead
Chinook Salmon
Coho Salmon
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What You'll Catch

Lake Superior (Duluth) Species

Brown Trout

Brown Trout

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Oct to Jun

Lake Trout

Lake Trout

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Jun to Aug

Steelhead

Steelhead

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Oct to Jun

Chinook Salmon

Chinook Salmon

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Jun to Aug

Coho Salmon

Coho Salmon

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Jun to Aug

Images: USFWS; Timothy Knepp, USFWS; Michael Humling, USFWS. Public domain.

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

3 picks for October. marks species in season in October.

  • Suspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Hard Bait · Brown Trout

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  • Paddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Lake Trout · Jigged deep.

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  • Casting Spoon 1/4 to 1 oz

    Lure

    Spoon · Lake Trout · Shallow after ice-out.

    Shop This Lure

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Brown Trout

Fly 9 ft 5 or 6 wt rod, floating line for dries and nymphs, sink-tip with 0X to 2X for streamers.

Spin / Cast 6.5 to 7 ft light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 6 to 8 lb line. Jerkbaits and inline spinners.

Lake Trout

Fly 8 to 9 wt rod with a full-sink line when fish are shallow after ice-out.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-heavy spinning or baitcasting rod, 20 to 30 lb braid with a fluorocarbon leader, or downrigger trolling gear.

Steelhead

Fly 11 to 13 ft 7 or 8 wt spey or switch rod with a Skagit head and sink tips, or a 10 ft 8 wt single hand rod with an indicator rig.

Spin / Cast 8.5 to 10.5 ft medium-light rod, 3000 spinning reel, 8 to 12 lb line. Float and jig or drift rigs.

Chinook Salmon

Fly 10 ft 9 or 10 wt rod, sink-tip line, 15 to 20 lb leader.

Spin / Cast 9 to 10.5 ft medium-heavy casting rod, line-counter or levelwind reel, 20 to 30 lb line.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Lake Superior (Duluth)

Spinners

Mepps Aglia Inline Spinner

A classic spinner for trout, bass, and salmon in moving water.

Check Price

Rods

Ugly Stik Bigwater Trolling Rod

A long, forgiving trolling rod for downriggers and planer boards.

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Nets & Tools

Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net

A fish-friendly rubber net that does not tangle hooks.

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Hard Baits

Rapala X-Rap Jerkbait

A suspending jerkbait that shines in cold, clear water.

Check Price

Spoons

Acme Kastmaster Spoon

A dense spoon that casts a mile and flutters on the fall.

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Within 25 Miles

Shops Near Lake Superior (Duluth)

Within 25 Miles

Guides and Charters Near Lake Superior (Duluth)

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Rivers & Streams · Minnesota

St. Louis River Estuary

The river mouth and bays between Duluth and Superior, about 10,000 acres where DNR surveys find walleye, northern pike, perch, crappie, and smallmouth.

Walleye · Northern Pike · Yellow Perch

Rivers & Streams · Wisconsin

Bois Brule River

A historic Lake Superior tributary with steelhead and brown trout runs.

Steelhead · Brown Trout

Lakes & Reservoirs · Wisconsin · About 69 mi

Lac Courte Oreilles

A 5,139-acre Sawyer County lake near Hayward, up to 90 feet deep, with abundant northern pike and common musky, smallmouth, and walleye.

Northern Pike · Muskellunge · Smallmouth Bass

Lakes & Reservoirs · Wisconsin · About 72 mi

Chippewa Flowage

A 14,593-acre Sawyer County flowage east of Hayward with abundant walleye and common musky, bass, and northern pike, reached from six public landings.

Walleye · Muskellunge · Largemouth Bass

Lakes & Reservoirs · Minnesota · About 74 mi

Lake Vermilion

A rocky Northwoods lake with about 340 miles of shoreline and 365 islands.

Walleye · Muskellunge · Smallmouth Bass

Lakes & Reservoirs · Minnesota · About 76 mi

Pokegama Lake

A 6,721-acre lake at Grand Rapids, over 100 feet deep in places, where the DNR's last full survey found northern pike, walleye, bass, and crappie.

Northern Pike · Walleye · Smallmouth Bass