Late Summer Splendor: Lake Superior Fishing Report 08/28

Evening anglers, Artificial Lure here, coming to you with the August 28th Lake Superior and Duluth-area fishing report.We started the day with a crisp sunrise at 6:23 AM, and anglers wrapped lines before a sunset at 8:01 PM. The weather’s been classic “end of the fair” northern Minnesota—airy clouds with temps topping out in the upper 60s, a steady east wind coming in off the lake, and shoreline foggy stretches this morning but burning off by noon. Conditions on the Big Lake stayed mostly flat till mid-afternoon, when whitecaps picked up just enough for a light chop—nothing to scare off the big boats or the kayaks.Let’s get right to the fish. The walleye bite has picked up, with folks reporting fish cruising back into shallower water. If you’re after ’eyes, the near-shore structure by Park Point and the breaks off McQuade Harbor have been productive. Jigs tipped with half a nightcrawler, leech, or paddle tail plastics pitched right up to the rocks in 6–10 feet were taking fish early and again near dusk, as confirmed by both local guides and scattered social media checks this morning.For those trolling, perch-colored crankbaits have gotten attention—work those over sand breaks and big mud flats in about 15 feet, and don’t be shy about switching to spinner rigs with leeches or crawlers if the crankbaits aren’t tempting them. Gold and firetiger patterns have been the standouts according to the latest area guide reports.Lake trout and salmon action has been typical late-August, with charters and private crafts alike netting lakers south of Knife River in 60–100 feet, especially in the late morning when the breeze picked up. The salmon have started showing tighter to the surface before first light. Hot tackle lately includes large spoons in watermelon and silver/green, along with glow plugs—Sweet Water Trolling recommends Tomic Lures and Salmon Candy Flashers for those trolling the open water lanes.Recent catches include several three- to five-pound lakers, a handful of oustanding cohos pushing seven pounds, and bonus browns taken by folks running stickbaits near river mouths at daybreak. Pier anglers at the Duluth entry saw moderate action, especially with white twister tails tipped with smelt or using fresh-cut sucker for bait.For bass chasers, Rice’s Point and St. Louis Bay have been delivering. Social posts show smallmouth getting active on Ned rigs and surface poppers. One cabin visitor celebrated with a chunky bass on their third cast right off the dock last night, suggesting post-storm fronts are moving these fish shallow and feisty.Best bait: nightcrawlers are always reliable for walleye and perch; fathead minnows also scoring. Lure picks: don’t leave home without perch or firetiger cranks, 1/8–1/4 oz. jigheads, Tomic plugs for trout, and bright bucktail spinners for salmon. Fly anglers: think about barbless summer patterns for trout and drifting chironomids or streamers at river mouths.Duluth’s tidal swing is just about nil, but watch for those classic Lake Superior seiche surges after strong east winds—sometimes it’ll nudge bait and predators alike toward channel edges around harbor entrances.For the hot spots, hit:- McQuade Safe Harbor breakwall, casting for walleye and trout at sunrise.- Rice’s Point for smallmouth—those rock piles are prime late summer homes.- Knife River mouth—solid for coho and bonus lakers on the first drift of the day.You’ve got options out here, folks. Tackle bags are packed, the fish are biting, and the lake is giving up some late-summer energy. Thanks for tuning in to tonight’s Lake Superior report—remember to subscribe, and if you land a trophy, send us those pics! This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.Great deals on fishing gear