Where are the fish biting?

Joanne Smith, Grand Marais, caught this 9-pound, 30-inch chinook salmon on a recent fishing trip to Isle Royale. Photo courtesy of Brian Smith

If you like to catch bass, Tyson Cronberg advises now is the time to go after them. “I’m hearing lots of reports about people catching bass. Right now you can catch bass in any of the lakes that has them. Northern are also biting real well.”

Reports of nice catches of walleye aren’t as frequent, said Tyson. But if you do go after them, the best bet is to use live bait, minnows, leeches, night crawlers, and either bobber fish or use live bait with jigs.

“On the big lake, charter boat captains are reporting nice catches of king salmon and lake trout,” he added.

Cronberg is the owner of the famous Beaver House bait and tackle shop. The sign out front reads: Public Restroom, Live Bait, Dead Bait, Fake Bait, Home of the Beaver Flick. Come inside and see it in action. The giant walleye coming out of the top of the building is probably the most photographed item in the town of Grand Marais. Or at least as photographed as the iconic Sven & Ole sign.

Hot lures for the lake trout and kings are blue and white Beaver Flicks and, “the Beaver Flick that looks like a ’57 Chevy,” reported Tyson.

With the recent temperature change the trout have seemed to move off shore, and there are few reports of anglers picking up fish in front of rivers or streams.

“I did have one friend tell me he was fishing in front of a tributary and he hooked into a very large fish. Probably a king. He fought it for awhile but it got off,” Tyson said.

Brook trout fishing in the streams is also a good bet. Worms, night crawlers and colorful spinners on light line and small hooks are all you need. Just make sure to take bug dope with you. When the brook trout bite best, the mosquitos are going to be your biggest pest.