Fishing North Shore Area Late Sept.

[Guest]

Hi,
I am an avid fisherman from West Palm Beach, Fl and I will be staying on the North Shore the last week of Sept.
I will be spending a few days at Gichee-Gumee and a few days at Lutsen.

I am interested in either "shorebound" or canoe fishing opportunities.
I understand fishing Lake Superior from near shore is useless right now and would appreciate some ideas about where I might find some decent fishing.

I know there are many streams, rivers and lakes above the North Shore and I would like some opinions.

Is this the season for a run by any particular specie in any of the tribituaries of Lake Superior?

Thank You for your time
D. Laseter

------------------

Nothing Beats a "Big" Live-Bait

[Guest]

Hey D.Laseter ,
I was up at Pike Lake this past weekend and caught a few Small Mouth. The lake is just NW of the Cascade River State park. Their is a resort on the lake that allows people to rent boats and canoes.
Right now is not the greatest time to fish Superior from shore since all the fish are suspended deep. You could try fly fishing some of the tribituaries for steelhead salmon. Your best bet would be to check out the French and Sucker Rivers.
Write back if you have any further questions.
Steve

[Guest]

Hey KingBassMan,

Thanks for your reply and info.

This will be my first trip to the area and I'm very excited to see what I have read about many times.

I will be arriving in Minneapolis on the 29th of Sept. and will first make a stop in Superior, WI to fish the Brule river for a day.

My reservation at the Gitchee Gumee Inn starts the Oct. 1. I will stay there a few days and then I will be staying in Lutsen for a few days.

The French river is very close to Gitchee Gumee and I will definately try it, I couldn't find the Sucker river on my map but I will definately get a better map upon my arrival.

I am not a fly-fisherman so I was hoping you might tell me what type of tackle I should use on a light spinner or light baitcasting outfit. ( line- what # test should i use, can I use live bait or some other type of bait or are there any particular "local" lures that I should purchase upon arrival.

When I am in Lutsen I will try to rent a canoe and fish Pike lake. Are there any pike there? (I have long dreamed of catching a pike.)
I will also make sure I pronounce Lutsen: Loot-sen and not Luht-sen with my southern accent.LOL

Also, when I fish the French river do I need to be up towards the headwaters or is there any particular part of the river that is best right now?

And how about the Lester river? Is it holding fish right now?

I also noticed that there are many rivers that dump into Lake Superior. Is there any fishing where these rivers meet the lake?

Basically I will be limited to fishing the waters below the BWCA and I am trying to figure out where my best bet is.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate your time and effort in helping me.
Any questions you can answer or advice that you may have is much appreciated.

Dana Laseter

------------------

Nothing Beats a "Big" Live-Bait

[Jim W]

Beacfisher,
Haven't personally, but I have heard that the pier on Two Harbors has excellent fishing in the fall. Throwing spoons as far out as you can, can supossedly land you a variety of trout and salmon!

Good Luck! Keep the rods bendin'!!!

Jim W

[Guest]

Hey Jim,
Thanks for the tip and I'll be sure to give it a try.

Here in South FL we use numerous types of spoons but what you're suggesting sounds like a job for a "Crocodile" spoon and an "Uncle Josh's" Muskie strip trailer which is deadly off the beaches here.

And no we don't have Muskies but them trailers have landed me some nice Snook and Tarpon.

Could you elaborate a little more on the type of spoon? Type? Weight? etc....

Thanks for your time and effort.......

Dana Laseter

------------------

Nothing Beats a "Big" Live-Bait

[evntam]

If you're just pasing through, and want to know what to use on the shore, stop in at Marine General in Duluth. That's the only place I shop. They have a ton of spoons, and tend to hire guys that fish a lot. My Dad and I have been shopping there for 10-15 years. They will have what you need, and the information you need as well. They really aren't like the other stores up the shore. And no, I don't work there. I know my Dad and I have spent well over $10K there over the years on all our fishing stuff. FYI The salmon are now on the surface up the shore, so they may be tight to shore soon.

[Guest]

Thanks evntam,

That will be extremely helpful because this "General Marine" is precisely the kind of place I would be looking for. I'll definately check it out.

Your report of Salmon sounds great and I would like to know a little more about what's goin on with that.

You say they may be "tight to shore" soon, does this mean they are heading to the rivers?

Thanks for taking time to help improve my trip.

Dana Laseter
West Palm Bch, FL

[Xplorer]

BeachFisher,
You can contact Marine general at 800-777-8557 or go to their website marinegeneral.com for some info/email . Their online catalog is nothing compared to what they have in their store, everything you will need for sure. I was just in there yesterday and the king salmon are starting to come in to the Lester river. It is best if you can fish right after a rainfall, this usually brings fish into the rivermouths. Lake trout season will be closed by then.
The sucker river is between the Lester and the French river. I believe the best fishing will be near the lower river/rivermouths, as we have had a dry summer and most rivers are quite low right now. There can be good fihing at the French but also many anglers. The DNR fisheries office is right there at the rivermouth, you could stop in and I'm sure they would be happy to give you the lowdown on the entire northshore shore fishing right now.
The lake-run brown trout are coming into the Brule as we speak, a friend has been over a few times and caught fish up to @ 7 lbs with many smaller river fish thrown in, by drifting nightcrawlers. You should have a great stay, the colors are just starting to turn and should be peak while you are here. Good luck and have a great visit.
I have a quick question for you also. I will be spending 10 days in the Keys next early March, camping about 20 miles from Key West (cannot remember the exact key) What type of shore/wade fishing could be done at that time of year? My father in law and I would like to try tarpon/snook/???? if possible while the ladies soak up the sun. Will have a car so anywhere from about Islamorada down is easy. Thanks for any help! Xplorer

[Guest]

Hey Xplorer,
Thanks for the info.
Sounds great! Can't wait to get there Sat. night.

Would you suggest bringing a pair of waders? (hip/chest)?

I appreciate all the help from everyone and I am more than glad to help anyone planning a FL fishing trip.

I haven't ever tried shore fishing in the keys but I hear that it is excellent, especially for Bonefish.

Since you are not going till March let me have some time to look into it for you.
When I get home from Minn. in a couple of weeks I will dig through my FL Sportsman magazine collection and see what is happening down there at the beginning of March.

It is likely your target fish will be: Bonefish, Snook, Seatrout, Redfish and Tarpon. You can also fish the mangroves for Snapper.

I'm sure I can come up with some helpful info for you.

Thanks
Dana Laseter

------------------

Nothing Beats a "Big" Live-Bait

[Xplorer]

BeachFisher,
If it is possible I would definitly bring waders, chest waders if possible. I know my friend always uses them on the Brule. Looks like we may have some rain early next week to help you out at the rivermouths.
Appreciate anything you can find out, there is a marina right next to the campground we are staying in, so I'm hoping they can help point us in the right direction also. I have used bait for shorefishing on the west coast of florida before, but never tried spoons or plugs. Would love to hook into my first tarpon. Xplorer

[Guest]

Hey Xplorer,

I just found out that plans have changed and I won't get a chance to fish the Brule. (bummed out about that)

Do you think I will need the waders for the rivers I will be fishing along the North Shore?

I'm just wondering if I need to buy some.
I wade fish all the time but my waders are a pair of shorts and old sneakers. LOL
I know the water up there is WAY too cold for me to try that. I get cold standing in front of the fridge. LOL

You spoke of tarpon? Right now, the Mullet run is making it's way through Palm Beach county(where I live) and there are tarpon on the beaches 100-150lbs not to mention many other gamefish feeding voraciously on the bait schools. Very exciting fishing.

Thanks
Dana

[Xplorer]

BeachFisher,
I would not worry about waders for the north shore. If you find you would like them, you could always get a cheap pair at walmart etc . Tommorrow is supposed to be 68 (cool for you but darn nice here for the end of Sept.!!) and sunny, the colors are really turning on, you should have a great trip up.
150 lb tarpon, that would get the blood pumping!! Thanks for any info on the keys you can find.
Xplorer

[Guest]

Thanks alot Xplorer.

I will be leaving soon and can't wait.

When I get back I will get you the info you need.

Thanks,
Dana Laseter

------------------

Nothing Beats a "Big" Live-Bait