Water temps have been dropping and unstable weather was the constant last week. Different pressure systems have certainly brought forth some challenging conditions.
The thunderstorm and heavy rain last weekend halted any type of fishing for the St. Louis River and parts of Lake Superior and forced this guide to move clients to inland waters. Hopefully things get back to normal in the near future. Surface temperatures are definitely slipping below the 70 degree threshold and will continue to drop as we slide into October. We are now in the time of the year where we will start to encounter other sportsmen and sportswomen moving on their respected hunting adventures. So be cautious of safety and courteous to other outdoors people.
Lake Superior continues to produce along the North Shore. Most action is toward Two Harbors and beyond. Trolling with riggers has been best, however long lining spoons has been okay for a fish or two. Picking the right colors is the challenge. Meat rigs have been important for scent give-offs. Anywhere from 100-200 feet have been good for some Lakers and the occasional Salmon. The South Shore, from Superior to Ashland, has been slow due to rain and muddy water.
The same rain has filed Lake Superior tributaries and is triggering fish to move upstream. Brown trout have been hitting topwater lures in the late afternoons. Some anglers are reporting a few steelhead and occasional king.
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Inland lakes are starting to see removal of lake shore docks and lake homeowners putting away their boats for the year. Expect boat launches to have some traffic with that being said. Fishing has been hit or miss depending on where your fishing. Crappies are showing up utilizing small jig'n minnow or casting watsit jigs tipped with crappie minnows. Pike and smallmouth have definitely been active in and around deeper vegetation. Walleyes are still going on lindy rigs or slip bobbers. Concentrate on mid-lake sunken humps.
Jarrid Houston of South Range is a fishing guide (houstonsguideservice.com) on Minnesota and Wisconsin inland waters, the St. Louis River and, in winter, on Lake Superior.
