Nemadji State
Carlton Co.
St. Louis Co.
r
Castle
Danger
East
Branch
Silver
3
Cr.
N
W
E
r
ek
o
3
2
Two
Harbors 61
S
11
9
ni
fe
B
K
e
r
Ri
ve
61
Gooseberry
Falls State
Park
i
Lake Co.
St. Louis Co.
Cr
.
hy
Br
op
A Victory for
Fish Management
A
p
u
Fishing sanctuaries exist
on both the Knife and
the Little Knife Rivers.
Please refer to
current fishing
regulations.
Kamloops Rainbow Trout
Similar to steelhead, sometimes with a stouter,
deeper body. Olive green on back with
characteristic rainbow stripe. Adipose fin is clipped.
e
ee
k
r
Lake
Superior
Fitger’s
Reef
Refuge
23
35
IP
SH
Duluth
Harbor
CA
NA
L
The dates of closure are
from October 1 to
November 30. When
November 30 falls on a
Saturday, the closure
extends to the following
Sunday. Fishing is
allowed only from
shore in this area during
the dates of closure.
Brook Trout
Brook trout have pale markings on a dark green
background. The back is covered with wormlike
markings. Tail is nearly square. Leading edges of
the lower fins have a distinct white margin.
State Line Creek
Boat Access
Forest
Scale in Miles
0
1
2
3
4
Scale in Kilometers
1
2
3
4
5
5
Turn In Poachers
TIP Hotline 1-800-652-9093
Portions of selected streams may be set aside for
experimental regulations. Refer to the current fishing
regulations for a list of those streams and type of
regulation.
Trout and Salmon Stamp
Twin Cities (651) 296-6157
MN Toll Free 1-888-646-6367
TTD (Telecommunications Device for Deaf)
Twin Cities (651) 296-5484
MN Toll Free 1-800-657-3929
www.dnr.state.mn.us
Produced by:
Minnesota Department
of Natural Resources
Division of Fisheries
Publication Date:
Revised April 2005
C 4/2005, State of Minnesota,
Department of Natural Resources
Artist:
This information is available in
alternative format upon request.
Stephen R. Hamrick
“Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs of
the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is available to all
individuals regardless of race, color, creed or religion, national origin,
sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, age,
disability, or sexual orientation. Discrimination inquiries should be
sent to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette
Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4031; or the Equal Opportunity Office,
Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C., 20240.”
Chinook Salmon (King Salmon)
Largest of the Lake Superior salmon, Chinook have
a wide tail with spots on both upper and lower
lobe. Inside of the mouth is gray or black with
dark gums. Anal fin has 15 to 19 rays. Lower jaw
terminates in a sharp point. Has 130-165 lateral
line scales.
Pink Salmon (Humpback Salmon)
The back and sides of the lake-run brown trout are
spotted with x-shaped markings. The tail is usually
devoid of spots or just has a few. Inside of the
mouth is white. Anal fin has 12 rays or less.
Smallest of the Lake Superior salmon, pinks have
a few large black spots scattered over the tail.
Breeding males develop a large hump in the front
of the dorsal fin. Scales are very small with 147205 along the lateral line. Blotching and spots
should be visible.
Lake (Lean) Trout
Steelhead (migratory Rainbow Trout)
Siscowet (Fat) Lake Trout
The inside of the mouth is entirely white.
The tail is covered with small black spots.
The body is silvery, although they darken when
re t u r n i n g t o s p a w n . Anal fin has 12
rays or less.
North
Shore
Fishing
Guide
Brown Trout
Lake trout have pale markings on a gray or green
background. Tail is deeply forked. Leading edges
of the lower fins often have a white margin.
Seasonal Fishing
Continuous Fishing
except for brook trout
Minnesota DNR Information Center
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-4040
Anglers need a trout and salmon stamp and a fishing
or sports license when fishing in designated trout
streams, designated trout lakes, and Lake Superior, and
when in possession of trout or salmon. Trout stamps
are not required for children less than 16 years old,
resident adults who are 65 and older, people fishing
with a 24-hour license, or people who are exempted
from fishing license requirements or who receive a
fishing license at no charge.
k
Duluth
61
te
In 1962, commercial lake trout fishing was closed in
Minnesota waters and a massive restocking program
began. Most stocked lakers are provided by the
Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service. Today, lake trout numbers are high
and natural reproduction is increasing in the Minnesota
waters of Lake Superior and stocking has been
discontinued in some areas. The goal is natural
reproduction which will eventually maintain the lake
trout population and reduce the need for expensive
hatchery fish.
In 1975, the Department completed the $2 million
French River Hatchery. This increased production
capability of the DNR’s hatchery system and assured a
supply of trout and salmon for Lake Superior.
Not all of the North Shore’s fishing problems have
been solved. If lamprey control measures are relaxed,
the high mortality will surely resume.
Industrial and residential development looms as a threat
to some North Shore streams and the possibility of
winter navigation on the Great Lakes worries many
fisheries professionals. While these problems remain,
one thing is certain—fish and anglers are finding things
considerably improved over years past.
Experimental Regulations
a
The inside of a coho’s mouth is gray or black, but
the gums are white. Tail is not as broad as that of
a chinook and if there are any spots, they are on
the upper lobe. Anal fin has 12 to 15 rays. Lower
jaw is blunt. Has 121-148 lateral line scales.
es
Cr
Minnesota’s North Shore fishery is truly a rags to
riches story. By the late 1950s, lake trout had been
virtually eliminated from Minnesota waters of Lake
Superior, the result of predation by the deadly sea
lamprey. Walleyes and northern pike still inhabited the
St. Louis estuary, but their numbers had been drastically
reduced by municipal and industrial pollution. The
flesh of those fish that remained was too tainted for
human consumption. Although steelhead were less
affected by the sea lamprey, their reproductive potential
was hindered by high waterfalls which blocked their
migration to upstream spawning areas. Good steelhead
runs occured in the lower reaches of many North Shore
streams, but much of the land was in private ownership
and access was restricted.
The turnaround in the lake trout fishery began in
1957 when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service researchers,
after screening over 6,000 chemicals, discovered a
selective lamprey toxicant. Called TFM, the chemical
killed larval lamprey in the spawning streams without
affecting other aquatic or terrestrial species. The lamprey
population is being controlled and is now less than ten
percent of its former abundance prior to the use of TFM.
S
Sport Fish
LEGEND
0
48
Split Rock
Lighthouse
State
Park
Coho Salmon (Silver Salmon)
L
River
MINNESOTA
WISCONSIN
er
R
iv
M
id
w
ay
Section 36 Cr.
Little Net Riv
er
Anderson
S
t
ar
Cr
.
rk
Fo
Cl
e
rth
No
Silver
Creek
.
8
R
R
ine Cr.
23
Carlton Co.
Pine Co.
et
N
er
iv
re
r
ve
ea
11
8
h
ut
C
nc h
8
ek
ok
re Bro
C y
on
So
201
Castle
Danger
Cr.
.
11
103
ad
Nem
.
Silver
Creek
N
ra
t B hirty
T
le
em
N
Nemadji Creek
ji
ad
rk
Fo
v er
ji R i
R.
11
River
c
as
E
Cr
C
k
Twin
Points
Creek
it
R
ck
Ro
Hunters
Creek
Skunk
Rive
k
ee
k
t
it
r
6
6
Roc
1
6
L
River
reek
.
e Cr
Nin
irty
Th
ek
3
5
23
re
194
The St. Louis River between
the Fond du Lac Dam and
the posted boundary at the
MN/WI boundary cable is a
fishing sanctuary.
No fishing is allowed
at any time
in the sanctuary.
Check it out - you'll be glad you did.
D
23
Continuous fishing for trout
and salmon on the St. Louis
River applies up to the State
Highway 23 bridge.
r
B
C
61
Ch
Continuous fishing on
Sargent Creek and
Mission Creek to
State Hwy. 23.
t
r
35
k
Cree
61
F
G
er
3
Posted boundary
at expressway bridge.
French River closed to fishing
from the expressway to Lake
Superior.
12
r.
C
ee
y
it
d
D
ek
Bl
Mu
Superior
iv
ee
535
C
3
French River
m
102
Cr
.
A
103
ge
61
E
2
H
Cr
The DNR has mapped 51 separate areas of the state
showing federal, state and county lands with their
recreational facilities.
Public Recreation Information Maps (PRIM) are
available for purchase from the DNR gift shop, DNR
regional offices, Minnesota state parks and major
sporting and map stores.
R
23
re
of
o
kh
53
o
h Beav
er R .
LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION ?
ea
ver R.
37
C
Creek
104
34
.
Cr
4
ar
ac
48
Red River
Cle
4
r.
he
18
1
5
23
Park
is
I
State
3
Wrenshall
4
DAM
Lou
C
3
hC
Creek
ry
r.
23
k
Palmers
Continuous Fishing
to State Hwy. 61.
k
le
tt
C
r
Li
Silver
Jay
Cooke
bu
rt C
3
ad
R.
C
42
Schmidt
Cr.
Ta
lm
12
61
er
9
ek
r.
Ste
wa
t
1
r.
r
Otte
210
Carlton
Creek
61
Gill
Creek
Thomson
Reservoir
35
en
tal
210
r.
gs
13
Fond
du
Lac
St.
er
ag
er
ry
wa 12
rt
er
Riv
K
Knife River
iv
12
iv
D
Larsmont
91
on
Cr.
rg
Sa
ys
Cr
C
48
Proctor
Mission
Creek
1
le
61
r
er
st
er
ee
Cr
iver
Esko
ve
R
an
ch
eek
43
ch
re
Keene
1
Thomson
C
56
Ti
s
4
194
Cr
ee
Duluth
91
in
Scanlon
er
6
K
R
is
Sc 45
Hermantown
il
ou
r
13
2
2
Cheste
53
48
Elm
Creek
Cr.
St. L
a
Cloquet Cre nlon
ek
33
Ott
E
t Br a
as
nc
194
ay
2
9
4
der
s
R
Lit
9
An
43
er
Lest tle
st Bra er R.
a
E
ity
Also in St. Louis County
Bold indicates streams with fishing sanctuary:
refer to current fishing regulations for more
details. Tributary streams may be listed
under the main stem.
st
34
Am
6
Ri
12
Br
42
Little K
ni
fe
40
ch
43
Le
43
Wild Rice
Lake
P,G
P,G
P,G
P,G,SE
P,G
P,G
P,G
P,G,SE
P,G,SE
P,G
P,G
P,G
P,SE
P,G,SE
P,G,SE
P,G,SE
P,G
P,G
P,G
P,G,SE
P,G,SE
P,G,SE
P,G
P,G
41
Cr
t
K
ni
fe
R
43
M
B
R
R
B
B,R
B,R
B
R,Bn,B,C
B,Bn
B,R
B,Bn,R
B,Bn,R
B
B,R
B
B
B,R
B
B
B,Bn,R
B,Bn,R
B,Bn,R
B
R
Kn
ife
40
43
es
W
Shoreline
Status
reek
un C
0.0
0.1
2.8
0.0
3.5
0.8
0.0
10.2
0.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
1.2
0.0
0.0
0.7
0.0
0.0
6.8
3.1
1.9
0.0
0.0 2
Private lands
State, federal, and
county lands
Private lands with
landowners having
granted angling
easements
nc
h
40
er
en
4
er
Sp
l
k
ee
Cr
Shoreline Status
yR
ck
Ro
2.6
1.7
3.6
7.5
5.2
22.5
5.3
13.8
17.1
5.9
7.4
2.9
7.1
11.4
3.9
12.7
2.7
13.0
12.7
0.0
13.1
6.0
5.1
1.7
ck
Creek
Fr
266
nle
y
u
Car
lso
37
H
Budd Creek
Castle Danger Creek
Crow Creek
Dago Creek
Encampment River
Gooseberry River
Gooseberry River, Little
Knife River
Knife River, W. Branch
Knife River, Little E. Br.
Knife River, Little W. Br.
McCarthy Creek
Mink Creek
Silver Creek
Silver Creek, E. Branch
Skunk Creek
Split Rock River
Split Rock River, E. Branch
Split Rock River, W. Branch
Stanley Creek
Stewart River
Stewart River, Little
Stony Creek
Twin Points Creek
Trout
Species
S
44
h
Sta
h
nc
Stream Name
Miles
Below
Boundary
s Creek
44
nc
r.
River
Miles
Above
Boundary
Captain
Jacobson
Creek
Ros
Brook trout
Brown trout
Rainbow trout
Chinook salmon
ra
C
.
fe R
ni
Lake County
B
Trout Species
Also in Carlton County
t
44
266
PGc
SE -
W
es
Stewart
131
th
y
Cloquet State Forest
(Private) – Near Fond du Lac Bridge in Fond du Lac off State
Highways 23 and 39 west of Duluth. Fee. Limited parking.
No gas.
BBn RC-
ar
ife
B,Bn
B,R
Bn,R
B
B,Bn,R
B,Bn
B,Bn
I. Chambers Grove
Closed to
fishing from
State Hwy. 61
to mouth.
cC
Kn
P,G
P,G
G
P,G
P,SE
P,G
P
P,G,SE
P,G
P,G
P,G,SE
P,G,SE
P,SE
P,G
P,G
P,G
P
P,G,SE
P,G
P,G
P
P,G
P,G
P,G,SE
P,G,SE
P,G
(DNR/City) – Follow Commonwealth Avenue to where State
Highway 23 turns west to Fond du Lac, continue heading
south to the end of the gravel road. Parking. No gas.
le
tt
Li a s
E
B,R
B
B
B,R
B
B,Bn,R,C
B
B,Bn,R,C
B,Bn
B
B,Bn,R
B,Bn,R,C
B,Bn
B,Bn
B,R
B
B,Bn
B
H. Boy Scout Landing
M
a
Br
Little West
0.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.9
0.3
7.2
5.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.0
0.0
17.5
0.1
0.5
0.0
0.5
2.4
0.5
0.1
Shoreline
Status
R
k
Mink
E
n
R.
9.3
7.4
3.3
4.4
3.3
4.9
3.2
12.3
5.7
7.5
0.0
16.5
4.8
18.3
9.7
7.1
7.0
4.2
0.0
6.0
5.8
2.3
7.8
15.0
5.2
6.2
Trout
Species
ry
131
n
Amity Creek
Amity Creek, E. Branch
Brophy Creek
Captain Jacobson Creek
Carlson Creek
Chester Creek
Chester Creek, E. Branch
French River
Keene Creek
Kingsbury Creek
Knife River, Little
Lester River
Lester River, Little
Midway River
Miller Creek
Mission Creek
Rocky Run Creek
Ross Creek
St. Louis River
Sargent Creek
Schmidt Creek
Scanlon Creek
Stewart Creek
Sucker River
Talmadge Creek
Tischer Creek
Miles
Below
Boundary
Little G
ooseber
te
Little S
Stream Name
Miles
Above
Boundary
14
r
ve
Sil
St. Louis County
(DNR) – Near Smithville off State Highway 23. Parking.
No gas.
reek
B
an
c
2
for more information
on these streams.
G. Munger
C
ny
Sto
Wales
R
iv
oc
Budd
River
Also in St. Louis County
ck
R
w
Cro
(Private) – Near Riverside off State Highway 23 (Grand
Avenue). Lauch fee, travel lift and parking. No gas.
Ro
ek
re
F. Spirit Lake Marina
t
C
(DNR) – Below the Blatnik Bridge, Interstate 535. Two launch
sites. Deeper draft boats use launch east of the bridge.
Parking. No gas.
li
ek
E. Rice’s Point
p
Duluth
t
.
Cr
Contact
Area Fisheries
Headquarters
Duluth, MN 55804
(218) 525-0853
(City) – Take Minnesota Avenue to end of Minnesota Point.
Parking. No gas. Pay attention to channel markers.
S
B
li
re
C
D. Park Point Recreation Area
p
k
Duluth Area Landings
Superior National Forest
S
n
ku
S
(DNR) – In The town of Knife River on Scenic Highway 61.
Follow road marked “Knife River Marina.” Marina facility.
Parking. Gas. 218-834-5235.
ch
an
C. Knife River Marina
ch
an
(DNR/City) – In Two Harbors at lighthouse point.
Turn right on Wilson Street to First Avenue, turn left at First
Avenue, turn right on next two streets to Agate Bay. No gas.
Picnic Area. Parking.
2
t
en
pm
P,G
P
P,G,SE
P,G
P,G
P,G
P,G
P
G
P
P,G
P,G
P,G
P,G
P,G
P,G
P,G
P,G
P,G
P,G
P,G
P,G
P,G
P,G
P,G
P,G
P,G
P,G
Ri
ve
r
am
B
B
B,Bn,R
B
B
B
B,R
B
B
B,Bn
R
R,Bn
Bn,R
Bn,R
Bn,R,B
Bn,B,R
Bn,B,R
Bn,B
B
B
Bn,R
B
B,R
B,Bn,R
B,Bn
Bn
B,Bn,R
B
B. Agate Bay
t
s eb
Goo
0.0
0.0
7.4
3.1
0.0
0.0
0.9
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
9.5
9.6
5.4
1.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
2.4
0.0
Shoreline
Status
We
s
Many lands along Lake Superior and North Shore streams are privately owned.
Anglers should find out where these areas are and ask permission before entering
private property. The stream information tables indicate which streams have land
in private ownership.
The DNR purchases trout stream easements from private landowners willing
to provide permanent fishing access to the public. Easement corridors are strips of
land along a stream that generally run 66 feet from the streams center line in either
direction. The easements are permanent—if the land ownership changes, the
easement remains. Landowners interested in the Trout Stream Easement Program
should contact their area fisheries office.
In addition to easement land, access to streams within State Parks and
Forest lands is not restricted. On National Forest lands access to many
miles of brook trout water is available in the upper reaches of
North Shore streams.
(DNR) – Half way between Gooseberry and Split Rock Rivers.
Parking. Picnic. No gas.
.
5.0
3.9
15.2
4.9
6.6
2.6
5.4
2.9
2.1
7.6
6.5
10.4
12.7
24.3
2.6
17.6
9.4
17.8
9.0
4.6
8.4
2.3
3.8
4.3
3.7
8.6
5.9
3.4
Trout
Species
t
art
ew
St
Anderson Creek
Anderson (to Midway R.) Cr.
Blackhoof River
Clear Creek
Clear Creek
Crystal Creek
Deer Creek
Elm Creek
Gill Creek
Hay Creek
Hunters Creek
Mud Creek
Nemadji Creek
Nemadji River, No. Fork
Nemadji River, So. Fork
Net River
Net River, Little
Otter Creek
Otter Creek, Little
Red River
Rock Creek
Scanlon Creek
Section 36 Creek
Silver Creek
Silver Creek
Skunk Creek
State Line Creek
Stony Brook
Stream Access and Easement
A. Twin Points
Miles
Below
Boundary
as
Br
Stream Name
Miles
Above
Boundary
E
Br
Carlton County
Boat Launch Sites
er
av
Be
Stream Information
Big
A Fishing Guide to Lake Superior and North Shore Trout Streams
A deepwater form of lake trout with a high fat
content. Body is generally deeper than lean lake
trout. Snout is angled downward from the eye
and the head is smaller in relationship to the
body compared with lean lake trout.
Fish illustrations by Joseph R. Tomelleri.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Division of Fish and Wildlife
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul MN 55155-4012
first
class