Lake Superior

I am interested in starting a discussion forum about Lake Superior. I have never fished the lake, but have recently purchased a capable boat with down-riggers and will be planning trips in April and over the Memorial Day Weekend. The problem is that I have never down-rigged or identified trout vs salmon, or etc. I would like information in this forum to include good areas to fish, techniques and lure selection, and where to launch and dock (marinas) your boat. If you know the lake and can offer advice, I welcome your reply. Thanks in advance, Smitty II

Hi Smitty!

I would love to setup a forum for Lake Superior, do you think we can get a handful of people that will exchange with you. If you can bring in a couple buddies to FTL that want this also, I will set it up for you! Just let me know.

I would also be interested in a Lake Superior forum. I am a transplanted Duluthian, living in the twin cities, who has fished the lake quite a bit (just not as much now as I would like). And remember Lake Superior is more than just trout and salmon. Chequamegon bay is one of the best trophy smallmouth fisheries around and also a fairly good walleye fishery.

Sweet. Sounds like we got some regulars. EFN Pro-Staffer Chris Beeksma guides on Chequamegon so this could be great for him as well. My folks used to drag my brother and I to Superior to fish for walleyes.

Even though this is ‘Fish the Lake’ it might be interesting to invite conversation of fishing the tributary rivers for spring and fall run fish. This is where you separate the men form the boys!

Might be a thought to call it a Great lakes forum rather than just Superior. Lots of great fishing available on Lake Michigan just 5 hours away from the Twin Cities area.

You guys tell me how you want it setup and I will think about it. Its your forum.

I was thinking of just putting it in the Wisconsin Lakes area but Im not sure what to do now.

Bluefin,

You are right, Lake Michigan rocks!! People here in Mn need to “Look East” instead of always “Heading North”. Can’t wait to get back out there.

J.

I’d like to be involved in a Great Lakes thread. I’m more of a wading tributary river fisherman but love to get out in a boat when given the chance. Harder now with 2 little kids. Have done both enough though that I might be able to pass along something to others.

WOW, This now has potential! I agree with everything all of the replies have mentioned. I am glad we all have this interest, and thank you all for your replies! A Great Lakes and tributaries forum seems to be the best fit. Such a forum could have some rules in order to keep order. One such user rule could be, because of the great expanses of the lakes, all original posts and replies could list subject areas first and then areas of discussion, an example would be “Lake Superior, Two Harbors area”, this way readers would know which lake is being discussed and what area with out having to view the entire post. Just a thought, lets really get this thing cooking, I am eager to learn about fishing this wonderful natural resource! SmittyII

Funny you should mention this! We were just talking about this amongst the staff! I am HUGE fan of the North Shore, and we were talking about getting something going. I have fished up there for 20 years! I have seen the comings and goings of the Loopers and the Kings, the Skemania(Sp?) steelhead, et al! I love the area! It has HUGE potential. Also, maybe the St. Louis holds some potential for the FTR site as well.

I will post over there too and find out.

Tuck

Cool idea…. I think you are on to something here.

I too am excited about the idea.

I am ready to cook! Fire up the stove….

Hawger

I agree, this has alot of potential. The whole area has a ton to offer just about every type of angler.

Yes the St. Loius River has good arena for the FTR site.

The mouth of the Spirit Lake-Lake Superior has basically a untapped open water trolling gig for some huge eyes here. I should refrase that. Not just walleyes, but alot of different species. Then there is the almighty Lake Superior itself, I don’t think we could ever have too much info for this amazing body of water. And of course,all the great opportunities that take place along the shores of the lake and rivers here. And the list goes on and on with the through ice looper fishing, and Isle Royale…………..

Like Hougie mentioned. Anyone that knows somebody as a good resorce for reports on these areas should get in contact with them and talk about being a Field Staff reporter for thier particular area.

Ok. I added it under Wisconsin Lakes. Since we already have Erie talk going on in Ohio I wasnt sure if I wanted to start out a Great Lakes forum or not. So I just did that. Hope its ok.

Thanks Steve… I am excited to see where this heads. Hawger

Nice to see the site back up. I agree with DeeZee the trolling opportunities in the lower St. Louis are unlimited. The last couple of years fishing out there I am always amazed that hardly anyone trolled It is something I hope to explore this summer.

To try and answer the some of the original question that started this post. April on Lake Superior is always going to be iffy but you should be able to launch this year. I would suggest either Duluth entry and trolling by Park Point, a surprising number of fish are caught there especially if there are smelt around, and up towards the Lester River. You could also try knife river marina and troll south towards the sucker and the french rivers. Most of this fishing would be within a half mile of shore.

I used to fish on the St.Louis a long time ago. There used to be a warm water discharge around some kind of a power plant that dumped the water into a big square pond to cool down. This is on the Duluth side We used to take a car topper 14 foot v hull alumnum and drag it over a dyke. We used to do real good there. It sure was something to troll in a square pattern. Not sure if that spot is still there. Also used to fish off the Arrowhead bridge. There were always huge northerns there and under the high bridge by the pilings.All kinds of neat places to fish up there even from shore. My last trip up there this summer I went out to the Superior Point where the canal is and a lot of people were fishing there for guess what????? POUTS fresh water cod I was told. Steve

Thanks all of you who have replied to my original post, it is really exciting and I appreciate the addition to the Wisconson Lakes portion of this site. I will be posting the results form my adventures to the North Shore of Minnesota there(Wisconson Lakes). Thanks again, Smitty II

I just need more time in the day! I will be posting regularily on the Trout/Salmon runs come April and at least every other day on the smallmouth, northerns and walleye fishing on the bay once May rolls around. Iwill try to check this site daily and answer any questions and also learn what others know. The St. Louis is a great river fishery and I plan on guiding there also. Muskies, walleyes, smallmouths etc. And yes, I love to go and fish the “bigger” steelhead on the Michigan side.

Chris Beeksma