Frosty Fishing on Lake Superior: Braving the Cold for Walleye, Trout, and Salmon

As of December 8th, 2024, the fishing scene on Lake Superior near Duluth is quite unique given the winter conditions. Here’s what you need to know:### Weather and Water ConditionsThe weather is cold, with temperatures in the mid-20s to low 30s Fahrenheit. Lake Superior's water levels are currently 16 cm (6.3 in) below the seasonal long-term average, which might affect fish behavior slightly[2].### Sunrise and SunsetSunrise is at around 7:30 AM, and sunset is at about 4:15 PM, giving you a relatively short window for daylight fishing.### Fish ActivityDespite the cold, fish are still active, particularly in deeper waters. Walleyes, coho salmon, and lake trout are the main targets. The walleye bite has been good in the stained water coming out of the St. Louis River, while trout and salmon are being caught farther out in clearer waters[1].### Best Lures and BaitFor walleyes, stick baits and crankbaits are working well. Focus on using Northland Rumble Shad in perch, gold, and silver colors. For trout and salmon, flasher fly combos are highly effective. If you're targeting lake trout, consider using aggressive presentations like Northland Puppet Minnows in gold and wonderbread colors[1].### Hot Spots- **Arrowhead Pier**: This long fishing pier is a great spot to catch walleyes, especially off the end where there's a deeper hole.- **St. Louis Estuary**: Trolling in the estuary at 0.8 to 1 mph with crankbaits and spinners can yield a good number of walleyes and other species[1][4].### Tidal ReportLake Superior does not have significant tidal changes, so you don't need to worry about tides affecting your fishing.Overall, it's a good time to bundle up and hit the water for some winter fishing on Lake Superior. Be prepared for the cold, and don't hesitate to try different presentations to trigger those reaction bites.This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI