Lake Superior Outdoor Fishing Report – May 29, 2025
Fishing Wisconsin
Apostle Islands
Prevailing northeast winds and relatively cool air temperatures have kept water temperatures from climbing much throughout most of the Apostle Islands region, with most anglers currently reporting surface temperatures from the mid-40s to low 50s. Nearshore trolling has been good for trout and salmon. Some good catches of coho salmon (15-18”) are still being caught in the areas around Houghton Point and Long Island by anglers trolling with stickbaits or dodgers and flies. Anglers trolling along shorelines are having fair success, with most boats catching a handful of fish but only a few catching limits. Catches have mainly consisted of a combination of brown trout (15-25”), splake (15-20”) and coho salmon (15-18”), with the occasional lake trout, steelhead (rainbow trout) and chinook (king) salmon being reported as well. Most anglers are targeting 20-40 feet of water near shore along the mainland and around the islands using a variety of crankbaits and spoons. Some anglers have begun to target lake trout, with success being reported by anglers fishing near the bottom in 60-100 feet of water.
Chequamegon Bay
Current water temperatures vary a bit throughout the bay but are generally reported in the upper 50s. A few anglers trolling along the Washburn side of the bay have reported mixed bags of coho salmon (15-18”), brown trout (15-22”) and splake (15-20”), along with the occasional steelhead (rainbow trout) and northern pike. Smallmouth bass action has picked up recently in the sloughs and along the Ashland shoreline as pre-spawn fish begin to make their way to their spawning areas. Most bass anglers are reporting catching a few fish (16-20”) per outing, and action should increase as bass spawning activity picks up with rising water temperatures. Anglers targeting bass are using a variety of baits, including soft plastic swimbaits, crankbaits and live sucker minnows. The post-spawn walleye bite has been solid recently, with some anglers reporting success trolling along the Ashland shoreline and out from second landing with stickbaits and crawler harnesses, or by casting in the shallows during low-light periods. Sturgeon anglers have reported doing well along the Ashland shoreline, fishing with smelt on the bottom, with anglers reporting good numbers of quality fish. Please note that a sturgeon hook and line tag is required to fish for sturgeon, and the minimum size to harvest is 60 inches.
Cornucopia/Port Wing
Prevailing Northeast winds have kept water temperatures in the mid-40s. Fishing has been fair for brown trout (18-24”) and coho salmon (15-18”), with some steelhead (rainbow trout) being reported as well. Most anglers are targeting 10-40 feet of water near shore, as well as the warmer waters along mudlines (when present) near river mouths, using stickbaits and spoons. A few anglers have begun to target lake trout with limited success reported, but action should pick up near the surface over deeper water as the water temperature continues to climb.
Saxon
Prevailing Northeast winds have kept water temperatures in the upper 40s. Anglers have reported fair success, with catches mainly consisting of coho salmon (15-18”) and brown trout (16-24”), with the occasional steelhead or chinook (king) salmon mixed in. A few anglers have reported success targeting lake trout (22-28”) in 50-80 feet. When weather allows it, a few anglers have had luck jigging for burbot (23-28”) in 30-60 feet using jigs or spoons with smelt on the bottom.
Superior
Water temperatures in the dirty water near shore and the harbor are generally being reported in the low to mid-50s, while the clearer water out in the lake is generally being reported in the upper mid to upper 40s. Trolling along mudlines has been producing some limits of coho salmon (15-18”), as well as a few brown trout (16-24”) and lake trout (22-28”). Walleye fishing in the St. Louis River, as well as in or near the harbor, has been excellent. Many limits of 15-22” fish are being caught, with good numbers of large (potentially trophy-sized) fish being reported as well. Wisconsin and Minnesota DNR fisheries personnel have handled what is estimated to be a potentially record number of adult walleyes in this year’s St. Louis River spawning stock assessment, with many fish in the 15-20” range and good numbers of trophy-sized fish as well. Most anglers target walleye in the river and harbor by jigging with minnows, crawlers or soft plastics, and by trolling inside or near the harbor with stick baits or crawler harnesses.
REMINDER – Anglers must carry a paper copy of their license/stamps while fishing on Lake Michigan, Lake Superior and the Wisconsin/Michigan, Wisconsin/Minnesota and Wisconsin/Iowa boundary waters.