Duluth Fishing Report: Salmon, Trout, Walleye, and More Biting Strong as Seasonal Transition Kicks In
Artificial Lure here with your fresh Lake Superior–Duluth fishing report for Friday, August 29, 2025. Sunrise was at 6:21 a.m., with sunset expected at 8:04 p.m.—plenty of daylight for anglers to chase those bites. Dry conditions early, winds light out of the northeast, high temps forecasted near 79°F. Water surface temps remain warm up top, sitting in the mid- to upper-70s, meaning fish are hanging deeper and seeking cooler pockets.No tides to speak of—Lake Superior isn’t tidal—but wind direction still affects current and water movement, especially along shore and river mouths. Mornings have been best for a calm surface and active feeding.Right now, the bite is strong as the seasonal transition kicks in. The coho and chinook salmon have been moving closer to bay mouths and river inflows. Lake trout action remains solid but remember, with water temps this high, keep those trout wet and get ’em back fast to limit hooking mortality, especially for larger specimens. The DNR’s latest bulletin estimates that mortality can spike under these conditions.A local angler just landed a 62-year-old lake trout—the biggest story of the week here, showing there’s plenty of trophy fish still roaming these waters. Reports from WDIO and local social media say regular catches of lake trout, browns and steelhead—most running between 16 and 24 inches. Walleye bites have picked up, especially on the St. Louis River flats where anglers are hauling in 3- to 5-pound fish with consistency. Smallies are, frankly, everywhere: from Glenwood Street up past Lester River. You’ll get them from docks, breakwalls, and rocky drop-offs. The best bass action? Toss a topwater in the early morning, then work the deeper rocks and weed edges with Ned rigs, wacky worms, or crawlers on a small jig. Daily limit action—one boat reported a full basket in less than two hours yesterday afternoon.Right now, your best lures for Superior waters are:- Perch-colored crankbaits—troll these over mud and sand flats in 15-25 feet.- Silver or blue spoons for coho and steelhead—fast retrieve is key.- Soft plastics in green pumpkin or brown for smallmouth bass.- Live bait: Fathead minnows for walleye, nightcrawlers on a slip rig for river fish.- Fresh salmon roe and shrimp are deadly if you’re targeting the trout and salmon at river mouths.Local tackle shop owners say white Mister Twister tails are still hot for walleye and hungry pike, especially on a slow-trolled spinner. Don’t overlook the classic leech or crawler on jig if the bite slows.For the most reliable action, set up at these Duluth hotspots:- **Park Point breakwall**: Early mornings for salmon and steelhead.- **Lester River mouth**: Transition zone for coho and big browns, especially right after sunrise.- **St. Louis River flats**: Active walleye and smallmouth bite—use crankbaits or plastic worms.- **Brighton Beach**: The rocks off the point are packed with bass and the occasional cheeky pike.The algae bloom outlook is fair around Duluth—nothing major reported yet, but if you head east, watch clear shallows for any spikes, as Superior continues to warm faster than other Great Lakes.Remember: slow down your retrieve if the fish aren’t smashing lures right away. Keep the rod tip up to maintain pressure when you set the hook and balance your setup for max sensitivity—you’ll feel more bites and stick more fish.Thanks for tuning in to the Lake Superior–Duluth Daily Fishing Report. If you want the latest tips and hot bite news, be sure to subscribe—you won’t want to miss next week’s highlights.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...