2009 Lake Superior Fishing Forecast
Surveys in 2008 continued to show that Lake Superior supports healthy populations of naturally reproducing lake trout. Summer is a great time to fish for lake trout with the month of June having the highest angler catch rate. The average lake trout caught throughout the year is about 22-inches with fish exceeding 32-inches caught each year. The fishery is sustained through natural reproduction with over 95 percent of the lake trout being wild fish. Spawning surveys show the population is healthy with lake trout growing to over 40 inches and often living to be 30-plus years old with some fish living to be over 40 years old. Two fish refuges adjacent to important spawning areas are closed to sport and commercial fishing and are critical to sustaining the Apostle Islands fishery and allowing fish to become very old.
Bayfield fish biologist Mike Seider holds a beauty of a lake trout caught during surveys on Lake Superior. Most years, the best catch rates for lake trout are during June-July when the trout have moved into the deeper water areas of the lake.
Another area to fish for lake trout is the western arm of Lake Superior in Douglas County. Surveys in 2008 showed wild fish are becoming more abundant. Lake trout are still stocked each year but make up only 20 to 30 percent of angler catch. Fishing in the open lake can be very different than in the Apostle Islands but angler catch rates are similar between the two areas. Conservative fishing regulations and sea lamprey control has been critical to rehabilitation of lake trout throughout Lake Superior.
Another fishing destination in western Lake Superior is the St. Louis River, an 11,000 acre body of water in Douglas County. The fishery there is a diverse mix of species including walleye, northern pike, musky, smallmouth bass and panfish. Improved water quality and restrictive fishing regulations have created a prosperous sport fishery. Documented natural reproduction and the 50-inch minimum length limit for musky initiated in 2008, should contribute to a healthy fishery with future trophy opportunities. The walleye fishery also looks healthy with recent surveys finding 33 percent of the adult walleye between 20 and 25 inches.
For many years fisheries management in the Lake Superior tributaries has focused on reclaiming the in-stream habitat especially in the headwater areas. Poor land management in the past 100 years has left most of the tributaries inundated with sediment which buries critical trout and salmon spawning habitat. During 2008, fisheries crews continued habitat work which helps flush these legacy sediments out, bringing the total to date of restored habitat to near 20 miles. Habitat projects like these will help to further improve these self-sustaining populations of trout and salmon. On the Bois Brule, the most well known of these tributaries, about 13,000 trout and salmon returned to the stream to spawn last season. Besides fishing for trout and salmon in the tributaries, wading from shore or fishing from boats near the river mouths in the spring and fall can also provide ample angling prospects.
Fishing opportunities in Chequamegon Bay exist all year but a key time for many species is spring. May and June are excellent months to target trophy smallmouth bass in shallow waters of the sloughs and bays. Spring surveys in 2008 showed 57 percent of the spawning smallmouth bass population was greater than 18 inches. Spring is also a great time to experience the quality northern pike fishery. The 2008 spring survey revealed 66 percent of the adult northern pike were 26 to 40 inches with several fish exceeding 40 inches. Conservative fishing regulations and natural reproduction has aided the establishment of these trophy fisheries in Chequamegon Bay. Past studies showed the resurgence of native species such as northern pike and walleye has decreased survival of stocked fish. To continue to provide a diverse fishery, brown trout and splake are stocked offshore from boats often with the help of local anglers. Stocking fish offshore reduces predation and hopefully improves future angling opportunities. Before venturing out on Chequamegon Bay or anywhere on Lake Superior waters anglers are strongly encouraged to check weather conditions and forecasts.
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