The St Louis River is a magnificent body of water that is home to thousands upon thousands of walleyes that migrate in from Lake Superior every winter, and prepare for the spring spawn. These fish have only 2 ways to get into the river from the lake, the Duluth Entry which goes underneath the Ariel Lift Bridge, and the Superior Wisconsin shipping canal. From there the walleyes begin their slow migration upriver, to their spawning grounds. We can dissect the river into two main parts in which people fish, the harbor; which extends from the entrance to Allouez Bay, north, up to the Ariel Lift Bridge, and the rest of the river. For the most part, 90% of the harbor is structure less. Other than your shipping channel which runs at 26 feet deep (paralleling the Wisconsin side of the shoreline) you have a major flat area that is nearly 3.5 miles in length by 3/4 of a mile wide.
This is the time of year right now where the first wave of Lake Superior fish comes into the river. It is a very exciting time, due in part to the accessibility to catch these fish thru the ice when they venture onto the flat areas at peak feeding times. Today I had taken full advantage of it, as it was my first time on the river this winter. Up until today no one had fished the harbor yet and I was one of the first this morning.
Ice conditions were surprisingly pretty good. The ice can get pretty hairy out there sometimes, as the USCG cuts a path thru the shipping channel to allow ships to access the loading docks. The shipping season will continue into January, depending on weather conditions. For the most part today I had 5 to 6 inches of good solid ice, despite some areas where it had recently been broken up by wind, current and the USCG.
Fellow IDO member Jake Hendrickson (hendo1589) joined me this morning as we ventured onto the harbor a good hour before sunrise. Walking out from shore, we had a 15 minute hike until we reached the area where I like to fish this time of year. The snow barren ice made for tough walking, but it is also a blessing due to the fact that we will have good solid ice during the ice fishing season.
I positioned Jake’s house and my Otter Cabin strategically for the best chance to intercept the walleyes that would soon roam the flats and be on the search for some perch, or other forage present in the area. We had a very strong south current this morning, which can make fishing challenging at times but can also help it at others. Sitting in 7.5 feet of water, I was ready to let the games begin for the 2010-2011 ice fishing season on the St. Louis River.
Running a dead stick, with a number 4 Custom Jigs and Spins Demon, and a jigging rod, I was ready to see what the river had to offer on this chilly morning. At 720, I was to find out. The minnow on the dead stick started to dance vigorously and I knew there was activity in the area. The fish in the harbor are very light sensitive, and I mean very. On an average morning you have a 45 minute window to catch these active fish, plus or minus a half hour depending on weather conditions.
The bobber came to a dead stop, as the fish had inhaled the Demon, and did the slow descend underneath the ice. I set the hook and before I knew it the first fish was on the ice for the 2010-2011 ice season!
From that point on I knew it would be GAME ON! Shortly after, the Demon went down again just as I was getting things back together. Less than 5 minutes apart and I had two nice female walleyes that had come in from the lake recently in the Otter. Both released very well as they will live to see another day.
Once the bite starts out here, you better pay attention. These fish are ON THE MOVE, and when you get the first one, you can bet there will be a few more to follow very soon.
Watching your Marcum and learning how to read it is a very important aspect to fishing out here. Along with the walleyes there are pike, pout, perch and the infamous ruffie. This invasive species has an army of 100,000 and they sure are curious! Coming up to your lure, they will get your heart going at first, but once you twitch your spoon when there near they are like a kamikaze and in no time are back on the bottom. It is very critical not to mistake these for walleyes because 95% of the time they wont hit your lure and if your mistaking them for walleyes you will be changing up lures very often trying to find something to work when there is no need to be.
As the morning progressed and we reached the 830 hour, I had three walleyes come visit me in the house! Things started to slow down so I gave Jake a call who was 40 yards away from me to discuss what he was seeing. Shortly after we hung up, my graph lit up like the Santa had just come to town! I quickly brought a fish up three feet from the bottom and WHAM, my jigging spoon got pounded and somehow I missed, but I quickly recovered and got the best of him. I frantically unhooked the nice eater sized walleye, let it back down the hole, and threw the spoon back down. Before I knew it, WHACK, I had another one on, all within 30 seconds. I called Jake and he had the same thing go on in his house. He and one of his buddies each popped an eye within a minute of each other.
This is a very common occurrence as a school of 15 plus similar sized walleyes will roam the area looking for bait. I don’t know how many were in this school, but with Jake and I being 40 yards away and getting fish at the same time, this had to be a good one! Ending the day with five, I was pleased. Early ice can be tough at times out here, and you have to be alert and observant at all times. As we progress into the winter, things should only be getting better as more and more walleyes will make their way into the river and be available for the ice angler to catch!
For those of you who will be fishing out here please use caution and refrain from driving atv’s ect out for awhile yet. This ice DOES move and new pockets of thin ice are popular this time of year. With the colder temps in the forecast this week we should see improved ice conditions, but you should never feel too comfortable on the ice, especially a river, because thats when things go wrong. Walk out, be safe, use caution and catch some fish!
Had a great time fishing with you this morning Grant, always appreciate a fellow IDO’er and friend hitting the hard water on such a great day. A few more pictures to add, the first is from the morning bite, with 2 going into the grease tonight. And the second was a nice 23 incher that was CPR’d during the evening bite. Again, great day of fishing, and hope to get back out in the next few days
Great report Grant! Good meeting you at the ice show!
Nice fish
Awesome report Grant Looks like a good time
Does the St Louis take a big Pout run still? In the mid 90’s during college we would catch some dandys on 1 ounce jigs and smelt.
Dream’n
Great Report Grant, I bet those low light “peak” walleyes in 7.5 fow water are a blast. Is that water just as clear as the lake, so could you sight fish these?
Yes there are still plenty of pout out there, but i dont think its quite like it was awhile back. The ones you get are usually in the 5 to 10 pound range which make for a fun fight, but then again they are not a walleye lol.
Yes there are still plenty of pout out there, but i dont think its quite like it was awhile back. The ones you get are usually in the 5 to 10 pound range which make for a fun fight, but then again they are not a walleye lol.
Calvin, the water is pretty dark. Sometimes you can see mussle beds on the bottom but thats about it. I have never seen a walleye or yet another fish. The water was clearer than normal yesterday which i think helped with the success. When the water darkens up, the bite tends to get a little more tough.
I might have to try to see what the 825sd can do down there tho! If the water was very clear, I bet we would even see a shorter time period of active fish. They sure are a blast to catch out of 7 feet of water tho, you think you have em to the hole and they say no you dont!
Calvin, the water is pretty dark. Sometimes you can see mussle beds on the bottom but thats about it. I have never seen a walleye or yet another fish. The water was clearer than normal yesterday which i think helped with the success. When the water darkens up, the bite tends to get a little more tough.
I might have to try to see what the 825sd can do down there tho! If the water was very clear, I bet we would even see a shorter time period of active fish. They sure are a blast to catch out of 7 feet of water tho, you think you have em to the hole and they say no you dont!
Great report Grant
You can keep the walleye! I’ll take the Pout!
Great report!!
Nice fish guys!
Great pics of the rod benders and read
Grant,
Impressive write up! I just moved to Duluth and thought that the Superior/St. Louis Bay bite was a late ice (last two weeks of Feb) bite. Your post gives me hope that it’s an all-winter fishery.
Brien
Nice report Grant!
Yeah, for everyone else, and brien as i said in your pm, this is by no means a late ice bite. Yes in January you will see more numbers of bigger female fish but there are fish from the lake in there now that have come in to prepare for the spawn. These fish will travel in waves weather they are entering the river, or moving upriver and out of the harbor.
Yeah, for everyone else, and brien as i said in your pm, this is by no means a late ice bite. Yes in January you will see more numbers of bigger female fish but there are fish from the lake in there now that have come in to prepare for the spawn. These fish will travel in waves weather they are entering the river, or moving upriver and out of the harbor.
great report Grant. hope your drive back was safe and uneventful.
Way to go Grant! I see working at the ice show didn’t stop you from getting out and doing some damage on the ‘eyes. Looks like some quality fish mixed in too, congrats!
Joel
Speaking of quality… I just got a voicemail from Grant. Apparently a 31.25″ walleye spent some time in his Otter this morning. Pics? Please let there be pics!
There will be pics. Sounds like the fish in question was quite the beast. 12#+. I can’t wait to see them.
Looking forward to seeing this one.
Wow sounds like a beast…Cannot wait!
I bet your just itching to go to syracuse this weekend, right James?
I’m going to hate every second of it.
Alrighty here we go guys! Its not the biggest you guys have seen but its a very respectable fish that will be remembered for a very long time.
I called up my dad last night and told him that i was going out tomorrow morning (this morning). He was sorta himming and hawing about it then i convinced him to come out with me. My dad doesn’t ice fish very much but i can usually get him out with me 5 times a year or so. He has some tough times in the past 5 years or so, losing his job, back problems, divorce, and some more things, and i don’t ever know how he stayed sane so i give him all the credit in the world for hanging in there, and i enjoy every minute i get to spend in the outdoors with him weather we are on the water or in the woods, because i know things could be different.
He taught me how to fish when i was less than 3 years old and i am sure thankful he did! Weather we were in the Boundary waters, or at the cabin catching bass and pike, he is the one that gave me the addiction!
This morning, he met me where we park at 615 am. On the ice and had the Otter set up by 645. Running 2 jigging rods and 2 dead sticks we were set for the morning. Around 720 i had a fish on the Marcum, brought it up and missed it. Then the next second the demon got hammered on the bobber rod and i missed that one too. Great start to the morning huh? I said to myself, its goona be one of those mornings.
My dad then set the hook on a nice 19 inch male, and 5 minutes later on another 17 inch male. Fishing sorta slowed down around 745. Then at 745 i saw a mark on my lx5 that i was letting him use. So i said HEY you got a fish by ya! I quickly leaned over and turned on the zoom so we could have that incredible 3/4 inch target separation for added precision.
The fish came up and his rod loaded up with weight. I was screaming SET IT!!! but he waited and waited and waited. HE is one of those that just waits and makes sure the fish has it before he sets the hook. Then the fish dropped it. (I wasn’t too happy lol) So the fish is still on the lx-5 but sitting right on the bottom. 45 seconds passed and he brought her up one more time but then she went back down. Keep in mind he has never really used a flasher before so i was sorta telling him how to react as we watched how the fish reacted. Then she came up with some speed, and i told him to keep bringing her up. He had her 3.5 feet off the bottom. She stopped. I told him to slowly let it down to her, stop it, then as lightly as he can jiggle it. She hit! He set the hook and it was GAME ON .
To make a long story short, not kidding over 4 minutes later I was pulling her out of the hole. What an incredible fight, i have never seen anything like it thru the ice before. As soon as i grabbed/ bear hugged her out of the hole the Custom Jigs and Spins Lightning Spoon came out. perfect timing!
In 40 years of fishing this is by far his biggest walleye. Before last summer his biggest was 26 inches, then this past summer i got his onto a 29.5. The look on his face when i pulled it out of the hole was priceless! Here are the exact words he said. “I would not have got that fish without that Marcum flasher!” In this case the 3/4inch target separation was absolutely critical to his success. Thank you Marcum for making a top of the line quality product!
Official measurements, 31 1/4 by 18.
Alrighty here we go guys! Its not the biggest you guys have seen but its a very respectable fish that will be remembered for a very long time.
I called up my dad last night and told him that i was going out tomorrow morning (this morning). He was sorta himming and hawing about it then i convinced him to come out with me. My dad doesn’t ice fish very much but i can usually get him out with me 5 times a year or so. He has some tough times in the past 5 years or so, losing his job, back problems, divorce, and some more things, and i don’t ever know how he stayed sane so i give him all the credit in the world for hanging in there, and i enjoy every minute i get to spend in the outdoors with him weather we are on the water or in the woods, because i know things could be different.
He taught me how to fish when i was less than 3 years old and i am sure thankful he did! Weather we were in the Boundary waters, or at the cabin catching bass and pike, he is the one that gave me the addiction!
This morning, he met me where we park at 615 am. On the ice and had the Otter set up by 645. Running 2 jigging rods and 2 dead sticks we were set for the morning. Around 720 i had a fish on the Marcum, brought it up and missed it. Then the next second the demon got hammered on the bobber rod and i missed that one too. Great start to the morning huh? I said to myself, its goona be one of those mornings.
My dad then set the hook on a nice 19 inch male, and 5 minutes later on another 17 inch male. Fishing sorta slowed down around 745. Then at 745 i saw a mark on my lx5 that i was letting him use. So i said HEY you got a fish by ya! I quickly leaned over and turned on the zoom so we could have that incredible 3/4 inch target separation for added precision.
The fish came up and his rod loaded up with weight. I was screaming SET IT!!! but he waited and waited and waited. HE is one of those that just waits and makes sure the fish has it before he sets the hook. Then the fish dropped it. (I wasn’t too happy lol) So the fish is still on the lx-5 but sitting right on the bottom. 45 seconds passed and he brought her up one more time but then she went back down. Keep in mind he has never really used a flasher before so i was sorta telling him how to react as we watched how the fish reacted. Then she came up with some speed, and i told him to keep bringing her up. He had her 3.5 feet off the bottom. She stopped. I told him to slowly let it down to her, stop it, then as lightly as he can jiggle it. She hit! He set the hook and it was GAME ON .
To make a long story short, not kidding over 4 minutes later I was pulling her out of the hole. What an incredible fight, i have never seen anything like it thru the ice before. As soon as i grabbed/ bear hugged her out of the hole the Custom Jigs and Spins Lightning Spoon came out. perfect timing!
In 40 years of fishing this is by far his biggest walleye. Before last summer his biggest was 26 inches, then this past summer i got his onto a 29.5. The look on his face when i pulled it out of the hole was priceless! Here are the exact words he said. “I would not have got that fish without that Marcum flasher!” In this case the 3/4inch target separation was absolutely critical to his success. Thank you Marcum for making a top of the line quality product!
Official measurements, 31 1/4 by 18.
What a fish !!
With pics and text all over HSO last year and now this site, thanks to Grant and others, on how great the fishing is in Superior Bay it’s no wonder why the amount of fisherman has increased exponentially in the last few years. It’s sad to see, but everyone certainly has a right to fish the bay of course. It’s a great fishery, the best in the Lake Superior watershed. So, as a local who’s fished the bay for many years, I’m asking everyone to keep it that way! I know I’m speaking for others who fish the bay too, guys who have fished it for decades. We can’t stop the crowds but please release those females, the fishery needs them, it depends on them. Every fish over 20 inches should be put back, growth rates in the lake and in the bay are extremely slow, it takes a long time (25+ years) to replace a fish like the one Grant posted a pic of. Both the MN and WI DNR have reported a significant decrease in the number of breeding females coming through Superior entry, likely due to fisherman keeping those females. While many fish are now staying in the St. Louis estuary because of the increased water quality over the years, this is not good, and doesn’t imply a good future for the walleyes of Superior Bay. Especially if VHS takes a strong hold in Lake Superior and the St. Louis harbor. So please, between pics of 30 inchers and detailed text of what you caught on whatever jig at whatever time, remind folks you cannot just be a fisherman anymore, you need to be a sportman and a conservationalist. If you are not, don’t come to our harbor.
great fish and great story!!
congrats to your dad
Awesome! Totally Awesome and that’s coming from a catfish guy!
Great fish Grant. Congratulations to your dad.
Grant- congratulations on an incredible outing with your dad. That’s a great fishery you have there. Ive drove past it before but didn’t have time to fish it. I’m looking forward to learning more about the fishing in your area. I can’t wait for your next report.
Cool story & great fish.
Congratulations to your dad and to you for coaching him as the fish targeted his lure.
First I would like to congratulate Grant on a great Catch and Release Story… That fish is a fish of a life time for most any angler…
Second I do agree with bowstring when he says we all must be sportsmen and women… One thing I have found on this website is the teaching of the most important part of fishing and that is “Select Harvest”.
We all must do our part in keeping the resource up and running for the next generations to come..
Great Job Grant, and it was good to meet you at the St. Paul Ice Show this past weekend
Tank! Great fish Grant!