Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Fishing report for the St. Louis River


Recommended Posts

Musky opener on the river follows the wi northern musky opener so it was last weekend.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The fish is basically 100% C&R protected.  May as well open them up with pike and walleye like we’ve done with bass.  Spread the pressure out.

 

Yes, these words were typed by someone who targets and is concerned about the health of the muskies he catches.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

 The flats are on!!!    Crank baits to crawler harnesses with  just one small split shot  all have caught fish for me.

 

 I’ve been trolling the tiny planer boards on days that are calm enough and fun watching them sink like a bobber with a fish on them. I got them as a gift and they work good as long as you don’t troll in too much chop or too much weight

 

 Lots of 16 to 18 inchers. Releasing many but taking one or two home for supper.

  • Thumbs Up 2
  • l Love It 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, tacklejunkie said:

 The flats are on!!!    Crank baits to crawler harnesses with  just one small split shot  all have caught fish for me.

 

 I’ve been trolling the tiny planer boards on days that are calm enough and fun watching them sink like a bobber with a fish on them. I got them as a gift and they work good as long as you don’t troll in too much chop or too much weight

 

 Lots of 16 to 18 inchers. Releasing many but taking one or two home for supper.

 

 Nicely done Tacklejunkie, I fished the harbor for a few hours this weekend after fishing in the bay,. All I was able to produce was 2 decent-ish sized Perch and lost one (Walleye) at the boat (Which if was a keeper, would've barely been 15"). 

Edited by osok
spelling
  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Does the upper sections of the St. Louis River have a fishing populations of smallmouth bass in it? worth a float? The sections I am looking at are around  Hwy 53  and Hwy 7? If you could give me some advice that would be great. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not sure about the Smallmouth on the river in these upper stretches that your inquiring about ,but i do know that Catfish, Walleye, Northern, Sunfish are all possible.. Bring the bug spray ..

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Never seen it myself but I looked at the satellite images and thought it looked worth a float.  The dam would probably tell you what you want to know.  Couple good gravel bars too.  Maybe the water is dark or it is mainly deeper - that I can’t tell.

 

I fished the Cloquet a little where 53 and 33 meet and found good action so I’m assuming the St. Louis would be similar in that area?

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, smallies thrive in the upper reaches of select areas of the St Louis. Lots of structure to get caught up in, but great small mouth habitat.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Was a few years ago, but wade fly fished upstream of 53 for a half day.  Tried every popper and minnow pattern fly in my box with no success.  Finally in the middle of the day switched to a larger brown bugger that looked like a crayfish and caught them till I got tired of it.  Unless things have changed, there’s a lot of bass in there.  Not a ton of size, but every now and then you’ll pop a nice one.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I fished at the Forbes canoe access below the dam one day. And caught a 16 inch on a fly. I will give it a float and report back after the fourth

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

Pretty slow on on the river but we did manage to scrape out a few. Tried trolling crawler harnesses, spinners tipped with , chubs, and small crank baits. It was a struggle to catch fish but the water temperature plus the air temperature were very cold.

 

 All methods did catch fish. But with warmer temperatures coming it should  improve things   going to the end of May

 

Everything was pretty shallow. It’s kind of fun to troll along and catch a fish and not have to do much reeling in just lift the rod right of the rod holder and  fish in the boat

 

I’m to the point now that I don’t care if I miss the Minnesota fishing opener. It was a zoo out there on Saturday

Edited by tacklejunkie
  • Thumbs Up 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 In my experience, it seems like the crawler harnesses with bigger blades are always the best on the river and the bay.  

 

It just seems like no matter what else I use and where the fish are on the river, the crawler harnesses with larger blades outproduce everything else, at least for me

 

Is it just me or do other people find that to be true for themselves

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Gave it a go over the weekend. Nothing F and F  but did get our a limit. Harnesses with the standard chartreuse blades trolling at 1.4-1.6. Did play with some flicker minnows and flicker shads and nothing on the minnows but did get two and released a nice one on the shads

 

Just troll the flats. The fish LOVE those crawlers.

 

 

 

 

Edited by tacklejunkie
  • l Love It 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

 Headed out yesterday morning and got my two walleye limit pretty quickly. Also picked up about three undersized walleyes. 

 

I trolled number six blades  all along the flats between the bridges and  the Bay. Trolled about 1.5-1.7

Surprisingly, my best producer was the purple blade

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • I Like it 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

What an odd day today. Started out calm and picked up some dinky island lake type  walleyes in front of Barkers Island. 

 

 Every single walleye was the same size. All below that 15 inch mark.  Everything came right off the back of the boat with crawler harness and a bottom bouncer.   I don’t really use my planer boards on the river or the bay anymore unless I’m fishing with three people or more and want to spread out rods.  Once your tackle gets more than 10 inches below the water it disappears from sight  and I find planer boards more of a hassle than any other method I fish with

 

Then the wind really picked up and for some strange reason that seem to shut down the bite.  And I don’t mean shut down, I mean completely shut off. I’m going to head up near the Oliver bridge and Spirit Lake tomorrow and I will post my results here.

  • Wow, ❤ 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Thank you @tacklejunkie!

 

TJ is sharing great info. It would be nice to get a group going here.....Anyone else out fishing?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 minutes ago, Rick said:

Thank you @tacklejunkie!

 

TJ is sharing great info. It would be nice to get a group going here.....Anyone else out fishing?

 

Yeah I’m starting to feel kind of lonely here

  • Wow, ❤ 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Still enjoy reading your reports @tacklejunkie even if I don’t fish the St. Louis or Duluth area.  Now if you told me I was missing out big time on muskies up there I might go see what I could raise!

  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 minutes ago, Wanderer said:

Still enjoy reading your reports @tacklejunkie even if I don’t fish the St. Louis or Duluth area.  Now if you told me I was missing out big time on muskies up there I might go see what I could raise!

 

Well, I don’t actively fish for muskies in the river but I have lost a few walleyes to them

 

 They must be big because some of the walleyes have lost to them were around that 15-16 inch range

 

The river is great fishing but some days are better than others. And you don’t need a bunch of fancy equipment. Jigs, crank baits, and especially crawler harnesses are all you need. 

 

 The same equipment that you use to catch walleye in other lakes in Minnesota will work on the river except you get to use two of what you have instead of one

  • I Like it 1
  • l Love It 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Zip. Nothing. NADA

 

I started to get nauseated for some reason so I did wrap it up early though. Not a single fish

  • Wow, ❤ 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wanted to hit lake today but that NE blow forced us to hide in the Bay. Pulled plugs from 4pm to 8pm. Lost something pretty darn heavy right away and then it got quiet. Got a 19" eye and 1 dink eye in 4 hrs. Cold, windy and slow. Few other big boats trolling in the Bay with us and didnt see a net raised. Felt like october out there today.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I went out yesterday afternoon and it looked like the wind was going to die down and headed to Allouez Bay. It was calmer in the afternoon then it was in the morning which is fine because I worked part of the morning

 

Fished from 430 to about 7:45 and caught five fish released everything that was over 18 and kept two. Caught a smallish northern pike also and that was fun

 

Just crawler harnesses off the back with a light split shot And a couple rods right off the back had bottom bouncers 8 feet from the boat. Stayed in about 5 to 7 feet of water.  Speed was about 1.4 to 1.6 gps 

 

 I think next week I’m gonna  hit the big lake 

 

 

 

 

Edited by tacklejunkie
  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

One word to describe the last two days.....dead. One small walleye. So I headed out to the Big Lake and zilch. 

 

Combo of of the NE  winds and I think a lot of the walleyes are already out of the river

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bummer.  NE winds are against the current there aren’t they?  I hate fishing rivers when there’s a strong wind against the current.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 I hit the bay and the big lake today and nothing. The boat inspector at the Boatlanding said that that’s been the case for the last three days For just about everybody she talked to.

 

Time to start hitting Fish and Island Lake

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 months later...

Anybody been out on the river this fall? Was thinking of trying the harbor this weekend but have never fished it this late in the year. Is it even worth it or go try the river mouths for some salmon?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not the ideal time of year for salmon. But if the lake can actually calm down for a few minutes, it’s always worth it!

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Similar Content

  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  The focus for many this week is the ongoing deer hunting season which is a big tradition in these parts, even for avid walleye anglers.  There were some that either already harvested their deer or are more into catching fall walleyes than hunting.     Those that are fishing are taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and excellent walleye and sauger bite that is happening across the lake.  Cold weather is in the forecast in the upcoming days and weeks so that is also getting many excited. The best depths on the south end of LOW are 22-28 feet of water.     Vertical jigging with frozen emerald shiners is catching most of the walleyes, saugers and jumbo perch.  Depending upon where on the lake you are fishing, some slots and big trophies are in the mix as well, but most reports are talking about good numbers of eaters.    Jumbo perch are coming in good numbers this fall which will serve ice anglers well.  Watch out for an occasional pike or even lake sturgeon mixed in with the walleyes.      There are good numbers of walleyes and saugers across the south shore which is setting up nicely for early ice.   On the Rainy River...  There continues to be good numbers of shiners in the river, and consequently, there are good walleyes in the river as well.     Walleyes along with saugers, pike and some sturgeon are coming in up and down the river.  Most walleyes are being caught in 10-25 feet of water in various stretches of the river.   Jigging with live or frozen emerald shiners is the key. Some anglers are also still slow trolling crankbaits upstream to cover more ground and find fish. Both methods are producing solid results. Sturgeon fishing remains strong.  The catch-and-release sturgeon fishing is open into the spring when it changes to the "keep season" on April 24th. Up at the NW Angle...  As temps are getting colder, most are in the woods hunting and not fall fishing, however, for those who bundle up, fishing continues to be excellent.     A nice mixed bag with walleyes, saugers, perch, pike and crappies being caught. Very good muskie fishing with the colder water temps and shorter days.  Some big fish and some good numbers are being caught amongst the islands.  Both casting and trolling is getting it done.  
    • gimruis
      I hunt in the rifle zone so I don't have a need to use a shotgun to hunt deer, but I would be looking at this if there was ever a need to.   There could be state legislation introduced next summer that eliminates the shotgun zone completely.  It has bipartisan support.  Wisconsin removed theirs years ago and MN is usually later to follow.  They've tried to pass it more than once and it came up just short both times.  Probably just a matter of time.
    • Wanderer
      Oh, h e l l no! 
    • leech~~
      Screw that, here's whatch need!  😆   Power-Shok Rifled Slug 10 Gauge 766 Grain Grain Weight: 766 Shotshell Length: 3-1/2in / 89mm Muzzle Velocity: 1280
    • Wanderer
      20 ga has become a real popular deer round in the last 5 or so years.  The rifled barrels are zinging those sabot slugs with rifle like accuracy out to 100 yards easily.  Some go so far as dialing in for a 200 yard shot but really, by 150 they’re falling off pretty low.   I have a single shot Ultraslug in 20 ga that shoots really well at 100 yards.  Most everyone I know that has bought a slug gun lately has gotten the Savage 220 in 20ga.  Problem can be finding the shells you want.
    • leech~~
      My son always bugs me about getting a nice light over-under 20ga for grouse hunting.  I say Heck no, I'm getting a 3 1/2" 10ga so I can put as much lead in the air that I can!!     So, I'm keeping my 12ga.  
    • 11-87
      That’s almost exactly what I was thinking.  Have slug barrels for both   One for turkey and one for deer.      I have a 20ga mosseberg as well. (Combo came with the scope but never used.   I always liked the 12 better
    • leech~~
      Wanderer is right on the money and covered it well.  I was wondering too if you had a slug barrel for one of your guns?  If so you could make that your slug gun with a scope, and the other your turkey gun with the Red dot.  As you can afford it. 
    • Wanderer
      Kinda depends on if you want magnification or quick target acquisition.   More magnification options and better accuracy with a scope.  You get what you pay for too so get comfortable with a budget for one.  Tasco and Bushnell work but I find they lose their zero easier, have low contrast and don’t gather light well in low light conditions.  That said, I’m still using one I haven’t replaced yet.  Vortex has been the hot brand for the past several years for bang for the buck.  Good products.  Nothing beats Swarovski though.  Huge dough for those.  Burris is another decent option.   There are some specific models for shotgun/slug hunting in the economy brands and bullet drop compensation (BDC) reticles.  Based on experience I’d recommend not falling for that marketing ploy.   Red dots are usually lower magnification and easier to get on target.  Reasonably accurate but don’t do well with definition, like searching the brush for your target.  I put a HAWKE red dot on a .22 for squirrels and it’s been good.  For turkey, that’s probably the route I’d go.     If your slug shots are normally not too far and too brushy, I’d think a red dot could work there too if you’re only buying 1 scope.  You’ll be better off dimming the reticle to the lowest setting you can easily use to not over shine the target and get a finer aim point.   If you don’t have a slug barrel, you might appreciate one of those.  I had a browning with a smoothbore slug barrel that shot Brenneke 2-3/4 inch well.  The 11-87 would well fitted with a cantelever rifled barrel. 
    • 11-87
      Looking for recommendations on scope or red dot    I basically hunt turkey and whitetail, live in southern MN. So it’s all deer/ shotgun    looking to add a scope/ red dot as my eyes don’t work like they used to to with the open sights.    my gun options are 11/87 12. Browning BPS 12    not looking for the most expensive or the cheapest    pros and cons of one over the other
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.