Cloquet Area Trout Streams

[thewalleyeguy]

I know of Big and Little Otter, but what are some other good trout streams in the Cloquet area?

[Odonata]

I would suggest looking at the DNR HSOforum. The streams aren't secrets, but trout guys I have met in the Carlton/Cloquet area are tight-lipped and wont post specific stream info. (Or maybe that's just me!

I will say the Cloquet River between Independence and Island Lake hold some great browns/brookies. Many of the local streams are getting dammed due to lack of beaver trapping. The Carlton area hosts more productive streams. IMO. I have fished almost every trout stream in Carlton county and would contend that 3-4 are worth your time. Good Luck!

[JoshM]

I often wondered about the Cloquet river I grew up not to far from Independence but I never tried trout fishing that river. I have heard that there are nice browns and brookies in there but I wonder if there is enough trout in there to make it worth targeting them. I would love to hear from someone that fishes it on a regular basis.I do not think it gets hit very hard from what I hear.

[Odonata]

The Independence area has some great brookie streams too, but not all areas hold fish. The Cloquet holds good brookies and browns, but most areas are not easily accessible. I would advise checking out areas where known trout steams dump into the river.

[Chicago boy]

How about Hellwig? ANyone ever fish that? Looks like the DNR did some heaftly improvements over the past several years.

[CatfishBanker]

I used to fish the Cloquet river a lot in collage. I caught a few browns and Brookies in there. All the trout I caught came between hwy 52 and county road 7. Best bet would be to float it in a canoe. Look around rapids for fish. I had best luck on small rapalas. We found them one day in mid June in a spot I was catching smallies and walleyes the week before. They stock it periodically at Helwig. Hellwig looks good, but was nearly impossible to fish due size and many overhanging trees [4-6 years ago].

[the rod tosser]

you have a few right there in jay cook park .

the namadji river is just up the way too

i used to fish the little otter right there in Carlton next to chem-star theres some nice holes and some undercuts back there.

the midway river isn't to far either .

[Odonata]

The Hellwig is decent, but you need to find the fish as they are really scattered. The improvements you're seeing (along 33?) were done by Trout Unlimited. (I think) That stretch has been productive for me. Check further south too. The spring, early season, it's usually blown out. Wait until the water and spring run-off levels go down.

The Nemadji is okay, it's tribs are better. IMO. The Nem' is usually too clay stained, at least the areas I fish. Otter is in my backyard, good stream. I wish a local trout club would adopt this river as it could be great. Beavers have had their way and most of the fish are dinks. A few good ones - 12". Fishing 10 years ago was better, but the beavers have really ruined the creek as well as low, warm, water levels. I also feel the Casino/Golf Course has contributed to the further downfall of the Otter. (I don't want a debate, it's my opinion as I have fished this river for 20 years).

Midway is good now, if you wait too long the water is too low. You will find suckers in there too. Browns further up.

Good Luck.