Crankbaits
Rapala Shad Rap
A tight-wobbling crankbait that walleye anglers troll and cast.
Check Price
Rivers & Streams
Spin, Cast & Bait
St. Louis River Estuary Fishing Guide
Minnesota
The river mouth and bays between Duluth and Superior, about 10,000 acres where DNR surveys find walleye, northern pike, perch, crappie, and smallmouth.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to St. Louis River Estuary for smallmouth bass, crappie, yellow perch, walleye and northern pike. In October, smallmouth bass, crappie, yellow perch, walleye and northern pike are in season, and Ned Rig, Suspending Jerkbait and Paddle-Tail Swimbait are a good place to start. There are 4 shops nearby (1 fly, 3 bait and tackle); the closest is Superior Fly Angler in Superior. Check the live USGS flow and water temperature before you head out. Lake Superior (Duluth) is also nearby if you want to make a trip of it.
Season at a Glance
Smallmouth Bass
Crappie
Yellow Perch
Walleye
Northern Pike
JFMAMJJASOND
What You'll Catch
St. Louis River Estuary Species
Smallmouth Bass
Prime NowJ
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best: Apr to Oct
Crappie
Prime NowJ
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best: Feb to May, Oct to Nov
Yellow Perch
Prime NowJ
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best: Jan to Mar, Jun to Oct
Walleye
Prime NowJ
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best: Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov
Northern Pike
Prime NowJ
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best: Apr to Jun, Sep to Oct
Images: Duane Raver, USFWS; Timothy Knepp, USFWS. Public domain.
Plan by Month
What to Use
Month
Fish
6 picks for October. marks species in season in October.
Suspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in
LureHard Bait · Walleye, Smallmouth Bass · After dark.
Shop This LureNed Rig 2.5 to 3 in
LureFinesse · Smallmouth Bass
Shop This LurePaddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in
LureSoft Plastic · Walleye
Shop This LureTube Jig 3 to 4 in
LureSoft Plastic · Smallmouth Bass
Shop This LureInline Spinner 1/16 to 1/4 oz
LureSpinner · Smallmouth Bass
Shop This LureJig and Minnow 1/8 to 3/8 oz
LureJig · Walleye
Shop This Lure
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Rod & Reel
Recommended Setups
Smallmouth Bass
Fly 9 ft 6 or 7 wt rod, floating line, 10 to 12 lb leader. Crayfish patterns, Clousers, and poppers.
Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod, 2500 reel, 8 lb braid to a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Crappie
Fly 8.5 ft 4 wt rod, floating line, small jig flies and minnow patterns.
Spin / Cast 10 to 12 ft jigging pole or 6 ft ultralight spinning rod, 4 to 6 lb hi-vis line.
Yellow Perch
Spin / Cast 6 ft ultralight spinning rod or ice rod, 4 lb line, perch spreader or small jig.
Walleye
Spin / Cast 6.5 ft medium-light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 10 lb braid with a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Matched to These Species
Gear for St. Louis River Estuary
Reels
Pflueger President Spinning Reel
Light and smooth for its price. A favorite for finesse and panfish rods.
Check PriceLine
Berkley Trilene XL Monofilament
Limp, easy-casting mono for spinning reels and general fishing.
Check PriceRigs
Northland Baitfish-Image Spinner Harness
Crawler harnesses trolled behind bottom bouncers for summer walleye.
Check PriceRods
St. Croix Musky Casting Rod
A heavy, long casting rod for big bucktails, jerkbaits, and figure-eights.
Check PriceRods
St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod
A sensitive, lightweight rod for finesse plastics and jigs.
Check PriceHard Baits
Rapala X-Rap Jerkbait
A suspending jerkbait that shines in cold, clear water.
Check PriceNets & Tools
Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A fish-friendly rubber net that does not tangle hooks.
Check PriceSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Nearby
Shops Near St. Louis River Estuary
Nearby
Guides and Charters Near St. Louis River Estuary
Charter
Superior Pursuits Charter Fishing
Duluth, Minnesota
1000 Minnesota Ave 906-360-7513
Per their website: Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips
Charter
Paulsen's Quickstrike Charter Fishing
Superior, Wisconsin
250 Marina Dr 218-343-8049
Per their website: Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips
Charter
Fishnorthmn
Duluth, Minnesota
1000 Minnesota Ave 218-343-8049
Per their website: Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips
Charter
Action Fishing Charters - Duluth
Duluth, Minnesota
1033 Minnesota Ave 218-355-8540
Per their website: Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips
Make It a Trip
Nearby Water
Lakes & Reservoirs · Minnesota · About 8 mi
Lake Superior (Duluth)
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.
Lake Trout · Coho Salmon · Chinook Salmon
Rivers & Streams · Wisconsin
Bois Brule River
A historic Lake Superior tributary with steelhead and brown trout runs.
Steelhead · Brown Trout
Lakes & Reservoirs · Wisconsin · About 67 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 71 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 73 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
Lakes & Reservoirs · Minnesota · About 78 mi
Mille Lacs Lake
Classic Minnesota walleye lake with a big ice fishing community and trophy smallmouth.
Walleye · Smallmouth Bass · Muskellunge