North Shore Trout Run

[Reinhard]

Yes it's that time of the year again.  Time for the steelhead and loopers to make a spawning run up our north shore streams.  My brother and I have fished the streams since we were kids living in Duluth.  My brother [retired police officer] still lives there.  He is out there right now as I type this with his buddy Joel who is also a retired police officer from Duluth.  Both great trout fishermen and I do not know any better guy's that fish for these fish and the streams from the Lester up to the border.  My brother at one time was a state record holder of the King salmon back in 1988.  A guy he knew beat the record just two weeks after he caught his and still stands today.  Beat him by two ounces. 

As of yesterday my brother stopped by McQuade Harbor and saw a 15 pound lake trout that was caught by a guy trolling out from the landing.  Drove to a few streams to check them out.  Water level is low so we do need some good rains to push them in.  Few guy's fishing but did not see anything caught as far as steelhead or loopers.  Remember to return all steelhead right away.  They have no fins clipped so you will know the difference between them and loopers.  I'll keep in touch if I get any good news about any good runs. 

Here is a picture of a steelhead my brother caught on his way back from Florida.  Caught 3 that day in Wisconsin's Menomonie River.  good luck.



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[Reinhard]

My brother and his friend were up the north shore yesterday with poor results.  Rivers were still lower than you like and clear.  They did spot a few trout but no takers.  With the rain today and tomorrow the conditions should improve for more rainbows to move into the rivers.  I'm going Friday to try my luck.  good luck.

[glenn57]

good luck reiny...............trout reciepies coming????????

[Reinhard]

Yes, I'll be doing my brine for the loopers that I can keep.  Hopefully I get some.  good luck.

[Boar]

aWSOME! GOOD LUCK!  cant wait to see a few pics of caught or cooked.!!

[HD]

I'll be making my annual pilgrimage up there soon. I can be on the river in about an hour and a half from home. I got a huge looper hanging on my wall....
Aaaahhhh......good times....

[snow1]

Wish I had the money back in the mid 70's to  have a steelhead mount,back in the hay days when the streams were teaming with these world class lake run rainbows we caught our fare share of dandy's,nothing quite as big as the wisc brule but nice,avg weight was 6-9lbs,seen a few 12's but not many back then,and yes the good ole days.

[HD]

 


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[Reinhard]

Went up to the north shore last Friday to meet up with my brother.  We expected it to be slow and it was but still wanted to go regardless.  Saw some boats that went out from McQades for trolling and some were fishing right in the boat landing area.  The rivers were slightly higher and most were a bit stained.  Did not see any spawning activity.  All the anglers we seen did not have any fish, including us.  But it was a good day anyway.  Lot's of tourists up at the Gooseberry falls.  We were the only fishermen there.  It is early but things will improve with more rain and warmer temps.  Going back soon.  here are some pics: good luck.



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[Reinhard]

Looks like I'll be going up next week.  Predicting rain from Sunday through Monday so next week I think will be the week for the best shot at it again.   Although this week could be good as well.  Just can't make it up this week.  Last Wednesday morning the DNR was netting loopers out of the pool just under the road by the hatchery.  One sweep and they netted 673 loopers.  Now that's pretty good because last year they got a total of  888 loopers during the entire spring run.  So yes they are coming in.  Haven't heard anything about smelt yet.  My understanding is the water is still too cold yet.  There are fishermen out on the park point side of the pier trying for coho which follow the smelt in.  good luck.



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[glenn57]

that would be cool to do or even just see. I would also like to experience the smelt thing............even just seeing people do it!!!!!

good luck reiny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Reinhard]

You can drive and stop by the hatchery this time of the year and look in that pool or in the traps just up from the pool and see the trout swimming around there.  As far as smelt, that happens more up at Park Point by the beach.  Very little is done in the rivers anymore.  The smelters are there all night long with their waders, coolers, or buckets with seine nets.  Not starting yet but soon.  I would say next week will be the big run with the warm weather this week.  I counted 6 anglers on the pier by the lift bridge this morning going after coho with nightcrawlers.  You can tell by the amount of anglers on that pier with the smelt activity also.  Coho follow the smelt in.  good luck.

[Reinhard]

I was up on the north shore last Tuesday.  Had some more rain at that time but the water level did not change much on Tuesday because what was gained was lost by then.  However the fish were in, in all streams.  Seen a few roll  and had a few fish on along with my brother.  I lost a real dandy around 8 pounds that I had two feet from shore but it got off at that time.  My brother did get a nice one.  Very good day up there.  put on plenty of foot steps according to my phone with walking 3 miles that day.  None of that walking was on level surface LOL.  Here are some pics.  good luck.



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[Reinhard]

Went up to the north shore again a couple of days ago.  This time we went up to Grand Marais.  Fished many streams of all sizes.  One stream north of Hoveland we seen hundreds of steelhead jump the medium waterfall there.  A big run came in.  We had fish on but no landings.  The next day no fish were jumping but we did get 6 steelhead and 2 loopers between the 3 of us.  Steelhead must be released and the loopers we kept.  We fished two days and had a lot of fun.  good luck.

[HD]

Cool Beans!  I was planning to be up...but life got in the way.... 

[Reinhard]

That was my brother with the looper.  Sure was great to be there.  Next year we are going for 3 days up there.  Haven't walked so much in my life it seems.  Not as young anymore and I could feel it LOL.  good luck.

[LPS]

Hey great thread RH.  Once I caught a steelhead by DeTour on the UP.  That was so cool to catch a different type of fish.  Would love to do the north shore thing someday so keep up the pics. 

[HD]

That was my brother with the looper.  Sure was great to be there.  Next year we are going for 3 days up there.  Haven't walked so much in my life it seems.  Not as young anymore and I could feel it LOL.  good luck.

Looks like my annual pilgrimage will be pushed out another week. Glad you caught some fish, and got a little exercise!