The warming water temps on Lake Superior are always a nice sight, especially after continuous colder than normal days the past month or so. During the winter, lake trout dwell in deep water, and as the sun warms the water in the spring and early summer, the fish will move shallow! I’m not talking about shallow in terms relative to total water depth; I’m referencing shallow in the water column, over 100’s of feet deep.
Cranks, cranks, cranks! I cannot over emphasize the importance of shallow(er) running cranks this early in the season. What kind? Anything in that 4 to 4.5 inch range will work, but I’m going to make one exception here. A number 8 or 6 Pink Rapala X-Rap. Don’t let size deceive you here, as the 2 largest lake trout I took last year around Duluth were caught on this lure long-lined 150 ft back, which puts it as a mere 4 feet under the surface. When there is clear water there fish will rise 40, 50 feet to hit a bait. You can never be too shallow for these fish.
The smelt numbers are dwindling around Duluth, and yes that is a good thing. It is tough to compete when there are thousands of smelt around your bait. As the smelt numbers die off even more, fishing will continue to pick up. Right now, it is not necessary to run far off shore at all. Get out there in 70 feet and start pulling away! You will still have some mud to play with out there as well, which is a good thing in my mind because it concentrates the fish. Lots of nice weather lately so make sure to get out there and give it a try while you can!!
You would think a friend who taught you a little bit about open water trolling would get an invite to join you. 
Looks like a trip to Fleet Farm is in order! 
