Duluth Fall Fishing: Chasing Lake Superior Trophies on the Cool-Weather Bite
Artificial Lure reporting from Duluth for Lake Superior and her local waters this Wednesday, September 24th, 2025. It’s a cool start to fall out here—highs peaking near 58°F, a light breeze from the northwest, and clouds hanging overhead with some spotty drizzle expected later on. Sunrise hit at 6:57 AM and anglers will be hauling in lines by 7:05 PM, so there’s plenty of daylight to chase those fall-run trophies.Lake Superior doesn’t have tides like the ocean, so water levels are steady. But be aware: shifting winds and weather patterns today will move fish up and down in the column, especially where rivers like the Lester or St. Louis flow in. Water’s cooling quick now, but clarity remains solid except in the harbors and river mouths where recent rain has kicked up the sediment.Fish activity is ramped up thanks to the drop in surface temps and shorter days. Michigan DNR, Minnesota DNR, and Outdoor News reports indicate salmon are staging in tributaries while walleye remain active offshore and yellow perch are thick around weed beds and rocky points. Lake trout have moved deeper but are still hitting best around ledges and submerged structure—try 70-120 feet and adjust with electronics for best marks.Just this past week, locals running long lines near Brighton Beach and away from Canal Park have picked up mixed bags of 16"–28" lake trout and occasional 3–5 lb. cohos. Walleye catches have improved, with some boats landing 4 or 5 keepers per outing thanks to nighttime trolling. Perch are biting heavy in the bays and weed lines, with schools sitting tight at about 15–25 feet. Smallmouth bass slowed some, but anglers working riprap and marina walls are still seeing good action on the sunny side of early afternoons. When it comes to gear, fall means switching up. For deep water lake trout and salmon, go for downriggers with flashy spoons in chartreuse, silver, or purple. Try casting gold-bladed spinners for salmon near creek mouths—recent reports from Outdoor News and Bassmaster’s fall guide highlight golds and brights as top performers. For walleye, slender crankbaits or live bait rigs tipped with large minnows are money—just remember, Minnesota law requires you to pack out unused bait and drain your containers on shore, not back at the launch. Perch are best on micro jigs with waxworms or small emerald shiners. Bass will chase finesse plastics and creature baits—Bassmaster’s 2025 guide spotlights micro finesse baits in natural colors as effective for stubborn cool-water fish.For line, I recommend something tough and sensitive: Daiwa J-Braid X4 in 10–20 lb for general Great Lakes duty. It’ll handle abrasion from rocks and debris kicked up in the fall winds and keep you dialed in on lighter bites.Hotspots right now:- Brighton Beach for lake trout and walleye by boat—set up deep and move gradually up as the day warms.- Lester River mouth for coho in the morning, especially right after sunrise.- Park Point Harbor for perch and bass on the calmer, leeward shorelines.Remember to check for special regs, particularly if you fish Superior National Forest waters—and always clean and drain your gear to stop invasive species like zebra mussels, confirmed recently in Itasca County. Let’s keep Lake Superior wild.Thanks for tuning in to the Artificial Lure fishing report for Duluth and Lake Superior. Subscribe to keep up with the bite and never miss a tip. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1PnThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI