Minnesota Steelheader

Water temperatures ranged from 46-55 degrees on the Lower Shore, 44-52 on the Middle Shore, and 42-49 on the Upper Shore. Interviewed anglers caught 2 Steelhead and 2 Kamloops on the Lower Shore, 3 Steelhead on the Middle Shore, and 9 Steelhead, 2 Kamloops, and 2 brook trout on the Upper Shore from Friday through Sunday. Flows have decreased on Lower Shore streams, and streams are fairly low, clear, and warm. A few fresh fish have continued to move into Lower Shore streams each day this past week. Middle Shore streams are holding their water and fish and will likely do so for the next couple of weeks. Runs of fish are occurring on Upper Shore streams, which should have fish through the end of the month. Trap totals after running the traps today are 245 unclipped steelhead, 215 clipped steelhead, and 46 Kamloops at the Knife River, and 382 Kamloops, 76 unclipped steelhead, and 8 clipped steelhead at the French River.

Water temperatures ranged from 57-61 degrees on the Lower Shore, 46-50 on the Middle Shore, and 47-52 on the Upper Shore. Interviewed anglers caught 1 Steelhead and 1 Kamloops on the Lower Shore, 5 Steelhead on the Middle Shore, and 2 Steelhead and 2 brook trout on the Upper Shore from Monday through Thursday. Flows have decreased on Lower Shore streams, and streams are fairly low, clear, and warm. A few fresh fish have continued to move into Lower Shore streams each day this past week. Middle Shore streams are holding their water and fish and will likely do so for the next couple of weeks. Runs of fish are occurring on Upper Shore streams, which should have fish through the end of the month. Angling pressure has been light since walleye opener, despite catch rates being good for those fishing. Trap totals after running the traps today are 236 unclipped steelhead, 209 clipped steelhead, and 44 Kamloops at the Knife River, and 361 Kamloops, 74 unclipped steelhead, and 8 clipped ste...

Water temperatures ranged from 48-55 degrees on the Lower Shore, 46-56 on the Middle Shore, and 47-49 on the Upper Shore. Interviewed anglers caught 7 Steelhead and 12 Kamloops on the Lower Shore, 44 Steelhead and 3 Kamloops on the Middle Shore, and 9 Steelhead on the Upper Shore from Friday through Sunday. Flows have decreased a lot on Lower Shore streams since flows peaked last Wednesday, and streams are getting fairly low, clear, and warm. Just a few fresh fish are moving into Lower Shore streams each day at this point in time. Middle Shore streams are holding their water and fish and will likely do so for the next couple of weeks. Early runs of fish are just starting on Upper Shore streams, which should have fish through the end of the month. Trap totals after running the traps today are 214 unclipped steelhead, 199 clipped steelhead, and 42 Kamloops at the Knife River, and 348 Kamloops, 70 unclipped steelhead, and 8 clipped steelhead at the French River. report provided by the MN ...

Water temperatures ranged from 50-60 degrees on the Lower Shore, 48-55 on the Middle Shore, and 43-47 on the Upper Shore. Interviewed anglers caught 14 Steelhead and 14 Kamloops on the Lower Shore, 41 Steelhead and 6 Kamloops on the Middle Shore, and 6 Steelhead on the Upper Shore from Monday through Thursday. Flows increased shorewide, due to thunderstorms on May 5th and 6th that produced approximately ½ inch of rain shorewide. Lower Shore streams have peaked; however, as long as the streams hold their water fish will be present. The Middle Shore streams are peaking and fish will also remain in the streams as long as they hold their water. Upper Shore streams will be peaking over the next week or so, based on stream temps and flows. Trap totals after running the traps today are 201 unclipped steelhead, 190 clipped steelhead, and 38 Kamloops at the Knife River, and 316 Kamloops, 62 unclipped steelhead, and 8 clipped steelhead at the French River.

I want to thank a few great steelheaders for helping make the the KHO filming last week a success. First off, thanks to Dr. Jef Somrock. I have know Jeff for about 17 years. He has been an integral part of the Lake Superior Steelhead Association (LSSA) over the years, acting as President for the past 14 years, and a heck of a local steelheader. Jeff and I meet at a lower shore river Wednesday morning and exchanged stories, tips and flies. Jeff even gave K. Hrbek some "go to" flies that were ideal for the conditions we were about to fish. Thanks Jeff! Next I wish to thanks Andy Burda. Andy has been with Minnesota Steelheader from the start as a field staffer. Andy shares his techniques, tips, reports and photos for all to enjoy. In fact, he shared some great tips upon our meeting at our first filming location. We meet up with Andy stream side for a filming segment on fly selections. You just might get a glimpse of his secret weapons on the final edit. Thanks again Buddy! And ...

Water temperatures ranged from 46-54 degrees on the Lower Shore, 40-49 on the Middle Shore, and 36-40 on the Upper Shore. Interviewed anglers caught 29 Steelhead and 36 Kamloops on the Lower Shore, 34 Steelhead and 5 Kamloops on the Middle Shore, and 4 Steelhead on the Upper Shore on Friday through Sunday. Flows are decreasing and streams are running cleaner and clearer shorewide. Lower Shore streams have peaked; however, as long as the streams hold their water fish will be present. The Middle Shore streams are peaking and will so for the next week. Interviewed anglers caught fish in Upper Shore streams for the first time this weekend, and the run is just starting. Knife River trap totals are 177 unclipped steelhead, 165 clipped steelhead, and 28 Kamloops. French River trap totals are 264 Kamloops, 51 unclipped steelhead, and 6 clipped steelhead.Water temperatures have exceeded 45 degrees overnight on the Lester every night since last Thursday, which is when the smelt spawn.

Water temperatures ranged from 38-46 degrees on both the Lower and Middle Shore, and were 35-37 on the Upper Shore. Interviewed anglers caught 26 Steelhead, 20 Kamloops, and 1 Coho on the Lower Shore, 3 Steelhead and 2 Kamloops on the Middle Shore, and nothing on the Upper Shore on Monday through Thursday. Water temperatures entered the optimal 42-45 degree range for a day here and there on the Lower and Middle Shore this past week, but cold fronts and cold nights have dropped water temps back to the 38-40 degree range every other day. As a result, fishing has been inconsistent for anglers that fish every day. The Middle Shore streams will peak in the next week, so anglers should now focus their attention on those. Up to two feet of snow is still present in the woods north of Grand Marais, so wait until after walleye opener to head up there. Flows are decreasing and streams are running cleaner and clearer on the Lower and Middle shore; however, upper shore streams continue to run high,...