Some help on where to find Salmon (for next season)

[Schurmo]

Some I am hoping for some help from you guys! I took some guys up the North Shore of MN this year and have come back with nothing but questions. We were in search of Salmon, and we did find some...but not that many. We were a little late in the season, and it didn't help any that we had no idea what we were doing. So I have a number of questions.

We were seeing these big fish in shallow water, but everytime we came to a deep dark pool of water, we had no idea what was lurking there. So the first question is, if you come upon a deep dark pool like the last pool of Temperance, the last winding pool of the Baptism or that deep, still stretch of water from the third bridge (including RailRoad bridge) inland of the Knife River to the mouth, are these productive pools to fish for large steelhead or kings/coho? Do they hang out in these dark pools? Do you just have to keep tossing flys and spawn sacks and be patient? Do you just throw a spawn sack on a line with a bobber and just chill out until there is action? Is it more beneficial to use a fly fishing rod when going after Salmon and Steelhead or is it just the same with spinner rods. Does a fly fishing rod just make it easier to get the fly further out in the water? Would we have any more luck if we made it up the Wisconsin shore from Duluth, or is it better in areas by Door County?

One issue we have is it's a group of 6 guys. That seems a little large for a group fishing rivers and I felt it really screwed up the fishing for that weekend. Too many guys were jumping into the same small pools and spooking the fish. Would it be more productive for us to split up and take different portions of the river? I also felt that our lack of patience might have been a factor. How long do you work an area before moving on? 30 minutes? 5 Hours?

Last question I had was about waders. I was thinking of getting waders that I would like to keep for years, primarly for fishing in the rivers. If I do most of my fishing on the North Shore, is it best to get some light breathable stocking foot waders with a pair of spiked shoes to keep from slipping on the rocks and being able to climb around the rocky banks of the rivers up there?

Thank you so much for all your awesome info! I have really gotten addicted to this style of fishing and am excited to learn more! I appreciate all your feedback!

[Quickstrike]

first of all, a group of six guys is about 4 guys too many for fishing north shore streams. the rivers are mostly small and have limited areas for fish to hold. with a group of that size i would recomend splitting up or fishing from shore.

I use a fly rod mainly because I find it more enjoyable than fishing with a spinning rod, you can catch fish both ways.

As for waders I really like my hodgeman guidelite breathables. they work great when it is still warm out, and I stay plenty comfortable in the fall and spring with a pair of fleece pants on underneath.

the north shore gets a good run of pinks, but the kings and cohos are pretty scarce. if catching a good number of big fish is the priority, i would take a group of your size somewhere else. i don't mean to discourage people from coming and fishing the north shore, it's just that a group of your size would probally have better success on some of the lake michigan streams that handle fishing pressure better than the streams up here do.

[matthothand]

You weren't in bad spots...there can be fish there but if you want enough action for 6 guys I second door county or any other lake michigan streams as quickstrike mentioned. WAY more salmon over there. It's a bit further to go but if it means getting your guys on fish...it's the way to go. Even though there's more fish it's kinda the same deal...might have to split up to fish with some distance between each other. Spawn or yarn flies drifted just off bottom with spinning or fly rod will get you the opportunities. I'm not as picky as most guys when it comes to the waders. I might be when I replace the ones that I ripped five holes in last weekend though. All I look for is a little bit of insulation and make sure they're waterproof . I don't at all mean to discourage you either about fishing the north shore by telling you to try lake michigan streams. It's just so much of a timing thing here while the window of opportunity over on Michigan waters is much better. Good luck next year!

[chris63]

Schurmo,If you live in or near the Twin cities,there is a lake in Washington county named Square lake that is stocked with Atlantic Salmon.Their not super huge but they sure put up a good fight!c63

[DEADhead]

who put those atlantics in there? the lake is managed for rainbows, and I've never heard of the East Metro guys putting Atlantics in Sqaure....

[thistlekicker]

Quote:

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who put those atlantics in there?

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Probably some enlightened sportsman hoping to further enhance the diversified fishing opportunities already present in that part of the state. Like introducting Lake Trout to Yellowstone Lake. Where they once had only one kind of trout, now they have multiple. Diversity is good, no?

oh man when does the season open again I'm going insane here

[chris63]

Dead,you may want to do somemore research but the dnr has stocked square with atlantic salmon in 1988with 1487 yearlings,then again in 1989 with706 adults and770 yearlings and then finally in 1990 with 634 more adult salmon.I have caught them but again they were pretty small!c63

[chris63]

Oh yea maybe the DNR is "Enlightened"

[Quickstrike]

If they quit stocking them in 1990 I highly doubt that there are any left. I caught a king in a small trout lake up the gunflint a few years ago which was confirmed by the DNR and they said it must of got there by mistake when the lake was stocked by helicopter.

[chris63]

I may be a year off but we did catch about 1.5 lb atlantic in 2001.The lake is alot of fun to fish!c63Maybe this season well hit the hard water later.c63