Fishing the Northland: Duluth's Lake Superior Report for September 28, 2025
Good morning from Duluth—this is Artificial Lure with your Lake Superior fishing report for Sunday, September 28th, 2025.We’ve got a classic early fall day on tap: plenty of sunshine, with temps heading to the low and mid-70s away from the lake, though sticking closer to the mid-60s right along the shore. Winds are light out of the south at 10–20 mph, so expect a little chop on open water by mid-morning. According to WDIO, tonight should be clear with a low hovering around 47, so don’t skip that extra layer if you’re working the night bite.Sunrise hit at 7:04 AM and sunset is at 6:57 PM, giving you a solid window of daylight. No tides to worry about on freshwater, but the changing winds and shifting light have certainly put the fish on the move.The fall transition is underway, and the bite’s been strong for salmon, trout, and perch, especially on the Duluth end. The “Duluth Daily Fishing Report” from QP confirms anglers are still pulling in nice coho and the first big lake-run browns of the season. Charter guides over on FishingBooker say the whitefish and perch bite has been consistent, and the occasional laker is still being caught by deeper trollers near the Lester River mouth and off the Two Harbors breakwall.Reports this week highlight lots of mixed bags: it’s mostly coho salmon running 2 to 3 pounds, lake trout up to 12 pounds, and solid yellow perch in that 10-to-13 inch range. There’s also been a few bonus burbot picked up by night anglers using glow spoons.If you’re after salmon or browns, stick to the river mouths—the Lester and the French have been classic hot spots, especially at first light when the water’s cool and the fish are pushing in. Bronzed stickbaits in the 3.5 to 5 inch range—think Rapala Husky Jerks or Smithwick Rogues in silver/black or firetiger—have been consistent producers when casted or trolled slow. For lakers, try heavy spoons like the classic KB Superior or Doctor Spoon, running them slow and deep right along the drop-offs.Perch and whitefish action has been best in 12 to 30 feet, with anglers jigging small fathead minnows or waxies tipped on a gold jig or a plain hook under a slip float. If you’re looking to go big, muskie chasers are having luck with oversized spoons and bucktails in areas with lots of bait; just remember to move slow and steady as water temps drop.For bank fishing, canal park and the mouth of the St. Louis River have offered decent mixed-bag catches, especially around sunset for shore anglers tossing spoons or floating nightcrawlers.Two top hot spots this week:- Lester River Mouth: Early-morning salmon, bonus lake trout after sunrise, and steady perch action just off the breakwater rocks.- McQuade Safe Harbor: Easy launch, lots of structure nearby, with whitefish and the odd steelhead reported.The Minnesota DNR Fall Color Finder notes peak foliage is arriving, so it’s not just the fish putting on a show.Best baits today: live fatheads, nightcrawlers, twister tails in white or chartreuse, and smaller spoons for perch and whitefish. For bigger game, try silver-on-blue or red-on-gold patterns—those vintage muskie spoons and big wobblers are a Duluth fall tradition for a reason.That wraps your fishing report from Lake Superior and the Twin Ports for today, September 28th. Big thanks for tuning in. Be sure to hit “subscribe” so you never miss an update and can keep ahead of the bite all season.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