Episode Details
Back to Episodes
Duluth November Fishing: Late Season Trout & Salmon, Perch, Muskies in the Gales
Published 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Description
Artificial Lure here with your November 11, 2025, fishing report for Lake Superior and the Duluth waterfront. We woke up this morning with the thermometer stubbornly pressed near freezing, and if you stepped outside early, you might've noticed a stiff north wind and a few lingering flurries—typical November behavior up here, that's for sure. According to WCCO’s most recent report, those flurries should give way to sunshine later in the day, but don’t expect it to get much warmer. Dress in layers and bring something windproof!
We’re just past the gales that mark the anniversary of the Edmund Fitzgerald—always a somber reminder up here, with those notorious “Gales of November” still possible any time now. Mornings are crisp, with sunrise at 7:07 a.m. and an early sunset tonight at 4:39 p.m., so plan accordingly if you want to get prime time action.
Lake Superior doesn’t have true ocean tides, but you will see some water level fluctuations known as seiches, caused by wind and pressure shifts. With today’s steady north wind, anticipate some higher water pushed toward the Duluth side—keep that in mind if you’re targeting river mouths or shorelines with wader access.
Fish activity has slowed some as water temps have dropped, but don’t count Duluth out. Last week’s Minnesota fishing reports confirm that most folks have turned to hunting, yet the die-hards sticking it out have found cooperative fish using classic late season tactics, especially in the St. Louis River estuary and around the harbor, where the water stays open longer.
The best bite right now is for lake trout and coho salmon, especially off deeper ledges near Park Point and the shipping channel. Shore anglers reported some decent brown trout and occasional steelhead, mostly on spawn bags, wax worms, and small spoons. Yellow perch action in the harbor picked up over the weekend, and folks dragging minnows along the edges did pretty well.
Muskie and bigger pike have been caught by anglers trolling large crankbaits just outside the river mouth and along riprap in the harbor. For lure selection, it’s hard to beat a ½ oz bladed jig in darker hues or an XPS Rattle Shad in Chrome Blue or Ghost Shad color—those internal rattles and flashy finishes mimic a late season shiner better than just about anything. Don’t forget to bring a selection of tube jigs and flutter spoons for trout. When it comes to bait, a lively sucker minnow or fathead under a slip bobber remains a proven classic for hungry late fall predators.
If you’re looking for hot spots, I recommend:
- The shipping canal wall on the Duluth side—lots of structure and a steady baitfish presence.
- The mouth of the St. Louis River near Rice’s Point, especially on a north wind.
If the wind lays down by afternoon, consider a run toward Two Harbors and try trolling in 20-40 feet off Agate Bay—reports mention a few active trout and salmon still cruising there.
One last tip—bring gear for all conditions. The wind gusts off the lake can make even a mild forecast feel raw quick, especially when the sun ducks behind the clouds.
Thanks for tuning in to the report. Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an update, and tell your fishing buddies where to find the real scoop.
This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
This episode includes AI-generated content.
We’re just past the gales that mark the anniversary of the Edmund Fitzgerald—always a somber reminder up here, with those notorious “Gales of November” still possible any time now. Mornings are crisp, with sunrise at 7:07 a.m. and an early sunset tonight at 4:39 p.m., so plan accordingly if you want to get prime time action.
Lake Superior doesn’t have true ocean tides, but you will see some water level fluctuations known as seiches, caused by wind and pressure shifts. With today’s steady north wind, anticipate some higher water pushed toward the Duluth side—keep that in mind if you’re targeting river mouths or shorelines with wader access.
Fish activity has slowed some as water temps have dropped, but don’t count Duluth out. Last week’s Minnesota fishing reports confirm that most folks have turned to hunting, yet the die-hards sticking it out have found cooperative fish using classic late season tactics, especially in the St. Louis River estuary and around the harbor, where the water stays open longer.
The best bite right now is for lake trout and coho salmon, especially off deeper ledges near Park Point and the shipping channel. Shore anglers reported some decent brown trout and occasional steelhead, mostly on spawn bags, wax worms, and small spoons. Yellow perch action in the harbor picked up over the weekend, and folks dragging minnows along the edges did pretty well.
Muskie and bigger pike have been caught by anglers trolling large crankbaits just outside the river mouth and along riprap in the harbor. For lure selection, it’s hard to beat a ½ oz bladed jig in darker hues or an XPS Rattle Shad in Chrome Blue or Ghost Shad color—those internal rattles and flashy finishes mimic a late season shiner better than just about anything. Don’t forget to bring a selection of tube jigs and flutter spoons for trout. When it comes to bait, a lively sucker minnow or fathead under a slip bobber remains a proven classic for hungry late fall predators.
If you’re looking for hot spots, I recommend:
- The shipping canal wall on the Duluth side—lots of structure and a steady baitfish presence.
- The mouth of the St. Louis River near Rice’s Point, especially on a north wind.
If the wind lays down by afternoon, consider a run toward Two Harbors and try trolling in 20-40 feet off Agate Bay—reports mention a few active trout and salmon still cruising there.
One last tip—bring gear for all conditions. The wind gusts off the lake can make even a mild forecast feel raw quick, especially when the sun ducks behind the clouds.
Thanks for tuning in to the report. Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an update, and tell your fishing buddies where to find the real scoop.
This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
This episode includes AI-generated content.