Lake Superior Outdoor Fishing Report – May 19, 2026
Fishing Wisconsin
Apostle Islands
A relatively cool spring thus far has kept water temperatures cool throughout most of the Apostle Islands region, with most anglers currently reporting surface temperatures from the mid-30s to low 40s. Nearshore trolling has been excellent for trout and salmon. Good catches of coho salmon (14-17 inches), including many limits, are being caught high in the water column in the areas around Houghton Point and Long Island by anglers trolling with stickbaits or dodgers and flies. Anglers trolling along shorelines are having great success, with most boats catching at least a handful of brown trout (15-25 inches), splake (15-20 inches), and coho salmon (14-17 inches), 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. Only a few anglers have begun to target lake trout, with some success being reported by anglers fishing near bottom in 50-100 feet of water.
Chequamegon Bay
Current water temperatures vary a bit throughout the bay but are generally being reported in the mid to upper 40s. A few anglers trolling along the Washburn side of the bay have reported mixed bags of coho salmon (14-17 inches), brown trout (15-25 inches), and splake (15-20 inches), along with the occasional steelhead (rainbow trout) and northern pike. A few anglers have begun targeting smallmouth bass 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 inches) per outing, and action should increase as bass spawning activity picks up with rising water temperatures. Only a few anglers have begun targeting walleye, and anglers have reported mixed success along the Ashland shoreline and out from second landing. Some anglers have reported limited success trolling with stickbaits and crawler harnesses, and a few anglers have reported fair success jigging or casting in the shallows during low light periods. Sturgeon anglers have reported doing well along the Ashland shoreline fishing with smelt on bottom, with anglers reporting some quality fish (50-60 inches). 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
Water temperatures in the open lake are being reported in the low to mid 30s, and skim ice is still occasionally being reported on cold and calm mornings. Fishing has been fair for brown trout (18-24 inches) and coho salmon (14-16 inches), 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 being reported.
Saxon
Water temperatures are reported in the low 40s. Anglers have reported fair success, with catches mainly consisting of coho salmon (14-17 inches) and brown trout (16-28 inches), with the occasional steelhead or chinook (king) salmon mixed in. A few anglers have reported good success targeting lake trout (24-28 inches) near bottom in 50-80 feet. When weather allows it, a few anglers have had luck jigging for burbot (22-28 inches) in 30-60 feet using jigs or spoons with smelt on bottom.
Superior
Water temperatures in the dirty water near shore and in the harbor are generally being reported in the mid-40s to low 50s, while the clear water out in the lake is generally being reported in the mid to upper 30s. Trolling along beaches or mudlines has been producing some limits of coho salmon (14-17 inches), as well as a few lake trout (22-28 inches). Walleye fishing in the St. Louis River, as well as in the estuary and harbor, has been excellent. Many limits of 15-22 inch fish are being caught, with good numbers of larger fish being reported as well. Walleye anglers are reporting success from a variety of fishing methods and baits, the most popular of those being jigging with minnows, crawlers or soft plastics and trolling with stickbaits or crawler harnesses. Most walleye anglers are fishing within the river, estuary or harbor, but fishing pressure out in the lake should increase as the water temperatures increase. A few anglers have reported fair success targeting and catching a handful of nice crappies (10-13 inches) in the estuary.
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.