Minnesota Steelheader

Last fall, I caught a number of nice brook trout that may have been my first North Shore "coasters." I wasn't sure if these were the fabled lake run fish or just robust specimens of their stream dwelling cousins. I have no doubt in my mind that I caught multiple bona fide coasters last weekend. I landed twenty brook trout ranging from 10 inches to over 20 inches on multiple rivers all within 200 hundred of Lake Superior. I find it hard to believe that the fish I caught are the same as the "brookies" that inhabit the upper reaches of these streams. I don't doubt that a large "brookie" or two inhabit the lower streches of these rivers, but I find it hard to believe that I would be lucky enough to catch five fish pushing the magical 20" mark in less than 24 hours on 3 separate rivers if there wasn't a lake run going on. I was thrilled to find these fish in such abundance in these streams. These fish could represent the beginning of comeback...

News Release From The MN DNR The Governor’s Council on Minnesota’s Coastal Program recently honored its past members who have served on the advisory board. At the annual meeting, seven past serving members were acknowledged including: - Arnold Overby, served eight years as an at-large member - Robert Pokela, served three years representing Carlton County - Helena Jackson, served eight years representing St. Louis County - Louise Thureen, served four years representing Lake County - Joanne Fay, served eight years representing St. Louis County - James Hall, served eight years representing Cook County - Thomas Spence, served seven years representing Cook County The 15-member board, known as the Coastal Council, is made up of 12 members from the coastal counties of Cook, Lake, St. Louis, and Carlton along with three at-large members. The group is charged with recommending program priorities and grant projects for funding, annually reviewing the program’s administrative budget and reviewing...

People should mind their manners while enjoying Minnesota’s outdoors (August 21, 2007) News Release from the MN DNR Minnesota’s summer season may be coming to a close, but there’s still plenty of time to leave behind the city limits and get into nature. What shouldn’t get left behind as people tramp through the woods, pitch a tent, go boating or cast a fishing line are manners. “Most outdoor enthusiasts are simply looking to get away from it all and have some fun, but for some reason there are those who toss common courtesies to the wind, spoiling a day in the fresh air and sunshine with boorish behavior,” said Col. Mike Hamm, Minnesota DNR chief conservation officer. This is apparent in recent editions of the Conservation Officer Weekly Report. Here are a few examples: News Release courtesy of the MN DNR

Hello all... I realize it is only the middle of July, but now is a perfect time to start thinking about planning a couple scouting trips for fall. In little more than a month and a half, fall runs for various species will begin; and while your chances of getting into steelhead won't begin to increase until September starts to wind down, you'll find plenty to keep you busy. One of the benefits to Fall fishing is that with the lower water levels, you can begin to identify locations that will be holding fish in the high waters of Spring, even when they are not visible later under fast, deep & discolored flows. This often pays dividends when you're wondering where to go. Other benefits are obvious: Learning the layouts of new streams while having fun targeting other species and the enjoyment of just getting out and fishing the North Shore after a long hiatus is an enjoyable way to spend a day or two. Plus, you just never know what you might hook into: Pink, Chinook & Co...

Well, surprise surprise... Steelhead are still active on the Lower Shore. This last bit of precipitation brought yet another push of fish into Lower Shore tributaries. Fish were reported in nearly all tribs from Split Rock South. Better yet, Upper Shore fish are still active with a mix of bright, spawning and darker fish all being reported from the Arrowhead Brule South to the Cross. Add to that a smattering of Coasters and even Coho being taken in the outflows and it makes for some interesting days. I've also received a report of two confirmed Loopers being taken from the outflow of one Upper Shore trib. This however is not good news. Limiting genetic introgression (the introduction of Looper DNA) into naturalized steelhead stocks is the reason the DNR only stocks Loopers from Two Harbors South. When they wander and interbreed, it causes problems. There should also be Lakers starting to show up near tributary outflows adding to the mixed bag possibilities for late North Shore Fish...

The Lower North Shore is winding down but there are a few items to note. First, the Lower Shore steelhead run has been a bit more prolonged than usual so far in that we are usually seeing diminishing returns at this point. Currently, returns are at a higher level of returns in the latter weeks compared to an average year. Secondly, we should start seeing the first of the dropbacks from the upper reaches of larger systems like the Knife. These fish tend to stay in the system for 20-30 days, then return to the lake according to DNR data. And while it's not fast and furious fishing as during the run peaks, it means that you can extend your season a bit if you're willing to be patient and work for fish. Lastly, Upper Shore returns should be near or at their peaks although with the low flows, much of the fish movement will be in low-light periods or at night. Often, fishing those first and last few minutes of the day for fresh-run fish can pay dividends and make or break a day. Part...

Fishing pressure is down... Fishing pressure is dropped at just about every location we visited this week. Water levels continued to drop over the last weekend in April and are expected to stay low in clear through most of the week. Hopefully we should get some rain over the up in coming weekend. The anglers out fishing are reporting average success rates on both Kamloops and steelhead at the Lester, French, Sucker and Knife rivers with yarn being the go to method. Seems as though not a lot of anglers are using flies these days on the lower rivers. As the temperatures rise we recommend digging a little deeper into your fly box. You can check out our "fly box" for some ideas if you are uncertain on what flies to use. As a rule of thumb, dull down the fly color as the rivers clear up. By the way, River temperatures are ranging from the upper 40s to the mid 50s and running clear. We saw minimal fishing pressure on several middle shore rivers this week. The overcast conditions ...