Artificial Lure reporting from the chilly North Shore, bringing you the Duluth-Lake Superior fishing rundown for Friday, November 7th, 2025. This week, the lake’s flexing its November muscle: overnight temps dipping into the mid-30s, highs near 41°F, blustery northwest winds around 10-15 mph, and the occasional gust cutting straight off the open water. WDIO News says we’re still in for periods of broken sunshine with clouds sweeping in by afternoon. Dawn broke at 7:07 AM with sunset expected at 4:41 PM, so plan for a tight window of daylight to work those bites.
No traditional tides on Superior, but barometric swings and moon phase do make a mark. We’re riding a post-full moon wave—FishingReminder notes these bright nights amp up predator fish activity, especially at dusk and after dark. Water clarity’s been top-notch, so the fish see you coming, making downsized, natural presentations key.
Fish activity’s shifting hard for the season. Local anglers report the deep bite picking up—late fall staples like lake trout, coho and chinook salmon, and the occasional walleye are all in play. The sculpin population is dense as ever, serving as prime forage, according to Canadian environment agencies. Benthic trawls run earlier this year show ample sculpin and a solid showing for trout, especially off the points and near deeper ledges.
Recent catches around Duluth Harbor Marina and Tower Bay Slip were heavy on lake trout and coho, with some brown trout hugging the shoreline. Chris Carlson, a regular in Grand Marais, mentioned a hot run on salmon last weekend, particularly on windward rocky points right at sunrise. You’ll see folks drifting smelt strips and casting small spoons for bonus browns and cohos.
Lure choice is classic late-season finesse. A 3.5-inch paddle tail like the Northland Eye-Candy in smoke shad imitates dying baitfish well—cast it slow along current breaks. Downsized soft plastics—think lizards or craw imitations in natural hues—are producing, especially worked slow on a Ned rig or underspin for bass and trout following bait into the harbors. The Berkley X Super Smooth 8 braid in flame green makes strike detection easy, and the latest drop-shot soft plastics in smoke, watermelon red, or green pumpkin can tease out picky fish. In these clear waters, light line is your friend.
If you want to soak bait, salted minnows and smelt chunks are the ticket for trout and salmon on a slip rig near the breakwaters. Walleye are showing up after dark along riprap banks—bring jigging raps or live shiners.
For hot spots: Duluth Harbor Marina is still kicking out mixed bags, particularly close to the shipping channel. Cumming Slip has been a notorious November haunt for coho and browns. And if you’re up for a drive, pop over to Grand Marais and hit the outer harbor walls—those rocks are producing at first light, especially for salmon cruising for late prey.
If the wind’s too much on the big lake, try the warmer backwaters off Howards Bay or hug the wind-protected side of Park Point, working jigs around deeper eddies.
That’s today’s report—bundle up, fish slow, and don’t overlook those twilight bites. Thanks for tuning in to your local fishing update. Be sure to subscribe for fresh reports, and remember: This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
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