Fishing Lake Superior in Winter: Angling for Trout, Salmon, and Walleye near Duluth

For December 21, 2024, if you're planning to hit the waters of Lake Superior near Duluth, here's what you need to know:First off, the weather is expected to be quite chilly with north winds at about 5 to 15 knots. You can anticipate some snow flurries, but the winds should be calmer compared to the past few days. Sunrise is at around 7:30 AM, and sunset will be at about 4:20 PM, giving you a decent window for both morning and late afternoon fishing[1][2].Lake Superior, being a freshwater lake, does not have significant tidal changes, so you don't need to worry about that affecting your fishing.Despite the cold weather, fish activity remains active. Yesterday, anglers had success catching lake trout, coho salmon, and a few king salmon. Walleyes are also being caught, particularly in the stained water coming out of the St. Louis River[1].For the best results, target areas less than 40 feet deep along the mainland from Duluth to Two Harbors. The cooler water temperatures have pushed fish into nearshore areas, making them more accessible. Brown trout, splake, and even some steelhead have also been reported in these areas[1].When it comes to lures, spoons, stickbaits, and dodger/fly combinations are your best bets. Bright colors like pink, orange, UV green, and chrome have been working well. For trolling, use an eight-foot medium to medium-heavy trolling rod with a bait-casting reel and a line counter to help you calculate lure depth and distance from the boat[3].Hot spots include the areas around the Apostle Islands and the mid-lake humps and rock piles where walleyes tend to congregate during their fall patterns. If you're looking to fish from shore, public access areas and state parks along Lake Superior are good options[1][4].Stay warm and good luck on the waterThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI