Best Times & Seasons to Fish Lake Superior (Complete Guide)

Lake Superior offers some of the best fishing among the Great Lakes and is a world-class salmon and lake trout fishery. Knowing the best times to fish this huge body of water can help you catch more and bigger fish.

The best time to fish Lake Superior is from May to June for shore fishing and boat fishing is best from May through September. Early mornings and later afternoons until dusk offers the best fishing in this lake.

In this article, we will cover the best times and conditions to fish Lake Superior. We will also do a month-by-month breakdown and tell you the best months to fish for each species of fish.

Seasonal Guide: Lake Superior

Winter

Air temperatures in the lake’s area range between 15°F (-9°C) and 35°F (2°C) during the winter months. Water temperatures in the lake range from 32°F (0°C) to 40°F (4°C) in winter.

When Lake Superior freezes in winter and the ice fishing season begins. Ice fishing on the lake is magnificent. During ice fishing trips, anglers have an opportunity to catch such fish species as lake trout, perch, whitefish, and pike. In winter, anglers can start fishing before sunrise and finish after sunset. 

Storms rarely occur in the lake’s region in the early winter. At the beginning of the ice fishing season, anglers can fish in the ice-covered bays of the lake. Later, anglers should aim to search for fish in Lake Superior’s deep waters. 

Spring

Air temperatures in the lake’s area range between 24°F (-4°C) and 67°F (19°C) during winter months. Water temperatures in the lake range from 32°F (0°C) to 48°F (9°C) in spring.

Lake Superior offers amazing spring fishing opportunities. Many fish species are active during the spring months. Anglers prefer to fish from shore in spring. There are different ways to fish the lake from shore. Fishing techniques such as bobber-fishing, bottom-rigging, and casting spoons work well. It’s possible to catch salmon and steelhead from shore successfully.

In spring, fish bite well during middle day hours. Storms in the lake’s region can occur every month of spring. So, anglers should check the weather forecast carefully before going fishing in spring.

Fish leave deep waters and move to the shallow waters during springtime.       

Summer

Air temperatures in the lake’s area range between 60°F (15°C) and 80°F (26°C) during winter months. Water temperatures in the lake range from 42°F (5°C) to 62°F (16°C) in summer.

The weather is warm in the lake’s area in summer. So, anglers can have an extraordinary fishing trip on Lake Superior. Summer is the time of the year when you can experience shore fishing and boat fishing. Among fish species that you can catch in the lake in summer are smallmouth bass, perch, pike, rock bass, and walleye.

Early morning is the best time of the day to fish Lake Superior in summer. Storms can occur in the region during the summertime. And of course, fishing in stormy weather should be avoided. Fish can be found in any part of Lake Superior in summer.

Fall

Air temperatures in the lake’s area range between 32°F (0°C) and 71°F (21°C) during winter months. Water temperatures in the lake range from 34°F (1°C) to 52°F (11°C) in fall.

Fall means colder weather and lower water temperature. However, Lake Superior fishing is very successful in the fall. Fish actively feeds during fall months and prepares for the spawning runs. Fall is a good time of the year to target brook trout, brown trout, coho salmon, chinook salmon, pink salmon, and steelhead. 

In fall, fish start feeding actively late in the morning and continue to the late afternoon.

Sometimes, storms occur in the lake’s area during the fall months. Fishing in stormy weather is dangerous. However, anglers can go fishing before and after storms.

Fall is the time when anglers should target fish in the streams entering the lake, river mouths, and tributaries. It’s a good idea to experience fishing on the north shore of Lake Superior in the fall. Fishing is usually very successful during this time of the year.     

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Canada (both freshwater and saltwater), check out this guide.

Recommended Fishing Guides/Charters in Lake Huron

These Lake Huron-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Location
Looper Charters Lake Superior	Duluth, MN
Happy Hooker Charters	Duluth, MN
Small Time Charters – Superior	Two Harbors, MN
Black Shadow Guide Service	Munising, MI
Bry The Fish Guy Guide – Bayfield	Bayfield, WI
Lake Superior Hatteras Fishing	Duluth, MN
Hooked Up Charters	Lac La Belle, MI
Action Fishing Charters LLC	Duluth, MN
Northern Lights Adventures	Bayfield, WI
MQT Adventures & Guide Service	Marquette, MI

Monthly Breakdown: Lake Superior

January

When ice on the lake is thick enough, ice fishing season begins. Many anglers prefer to target lake trout during the winter months. Among the best spots to enjoy ice fishing on the lake are Chequamegon Bay, the channel of Chequamegon Bay, and the Long Island Area.

Fishermen can also catch perch. A lot of perch can be found in Ashland and Bayfield marinas. Anglers should go fishing in the late morning.   

February

Lake trout continue biting well in the late winter. Also, fishermen can catch herring fish and whitefish in February. Bobbing is a very effective fishing technique that so many anglers choose to use this month.

Anglers should go fishing among the Apostle Islands and in Bark Bay. It’s possible to experience fishing from the early morning to the late evening.   

March

Ice fishing season is coming to an end and open water fishing begins in early March. Anglers choose to fish the mouths of tributary streams. Also, it makes sense to fish Chequamegon Bay in the early spring.

It’s possible to fish lake trout, salmon, herring fish, and whitefish. A lot of fish can be found in the shallow waters in March. 

April

The vast majority of fish species get active at the beginning of April. Stream fishing is becoming more popular this month. Anglers can target rainbow trout at this time of the year. Fishermen choose to use a trolling fishing technique to catch trout and salmon. 

May

Lake Superior fishing is excellent and very diverse in the late spring. Fishermen can target rainbow trout in the streams around the lake. Anglers, who want to target trout and salmon, should visit Saxon Harbor.

Here, they can take advantage of trolling. If you visit Chequamegon Bay, you’ll manage to catch northern pike and walleye. St. Louis River is a good place to target walleye. Also, you catch smallmouth bass in Sandcut areas.  

June

The water heats up and fishing slows down in the Chequamegon Bay area in early summer. That’s why trolling salmon and trout can be hard. On the other hand, such species as northern pike, perch, smallmouth bass, and perch are becoming more active.

Fishermen can also use trolling to catch lake trout near the Apostle Islands. Visit the St. Louis River to enjoy fishing for walleye.      

July

Water temperatures are rising in July. Fishing for salmon and trout is good this month. Anglers can also catch northern pike, perch, and walleye. Trolling is very effective in the lake’s shallow waters. 

August

The weather is getting hotter and hotter and the temperature of water in Lake Superior is rising. Trout and salmon go to deep waters. It makes sense to fish Chequamegon Bay and the South Shore in the late summer.    

September

Fishing in Chequamegon Bay is getting better in the early fall. Here, anglers can target smallmouth bass and walleye. Anglers also can catch brown trout, rainbow trout, chinook, and coho salmon. It’s getting colder in September. Trout and salmon begin to go to the river mouths.   

October

October means the end of lake trout season on Lake Superior. So, anglers should aim to target trout and salmon in the rivers around the lake. Trolling is an effective way to fish in Chequamegon Bay.

November

Trolling is an effective fishing technique to use on Lake Superior in the late fall. This way you can catch trout and salmon in the lake successfully. In November, anglers in boats often achieve more effective results compared to shore fishermen.  

December

Ice fishing season is about to begin. However, anglers can still enjoy open water fishing on Lake Superior. When ice covers the lake, trout ice fishing season begins. In the early spring, fishermen should aim to fish in shallow waters.  

Lake Superior Species Breakdown

Trout

It’s possible to fish for trout on Lake Superior year-round. However, fishing is best in the late spring and early summer. Anglers can target brown trout and lake trout in the lake.

Fishermen should fish for trout in nearshore waters during spring months and in early summer. However, fish go to deeper waters in the summertime. Trout bites well during the early morning and late evening hours.    

Salmon

Lake Superior is home to different varieties of salmon. Fishermen can target coho, king, and pink salmon in the waters of Lake Superior.

Fishing for salmon in the lake is the most productive during the summer months. Salmon constantly move across the lake. Anglers, who target salmon, get a lot of bites before sunrise and after sunset.  

Northern Pike

Lake Superior is the perfect place for anglers, who choose to target northern pike. Northern pike bites aggressively and always give anglers a good fight.

It’s possible to fish for northern pike year-round. Fishermen choose to target northern pike in bays during winter, fall, and spring months. However, fish relocate to deeper waters in summer.   

Smallmouth bass 

Many anglers choose to target smallmouth bass during their Lake Superior fishing trips. The lake impresses with its abundance of smallmouth bass. A lot of fish can be found in shallow waters. Oftentimes, fishermen catch a trophy fish in Chequamegon Bay.   

Walleye

Anglers have a chance to catch walleye during Lake Superior fishing trips. Fish is the most active in spring and fall. It’s possible to fish for walleye in summer as well.

However, walleye can be found in deep waters during hot summer months. Walleye actively feeds during dawn and dusk hours. That means that anglers, who are interested in catching walleye, should go fishing at sunrise and sunset.  

Charters & Fishing Guides: Lake Superior

– Best season to book

A fishing season in Lake Superior begins in the middle of May and lasts until October. A lot of anglers visit the lake in summer. Fewer anglers choose to fish on the lake in May, September, and October.

So, you can plan fishing adventures for these months. Traditionally, there are many anglers and boats on Lake Superior on weekends. Book a trip on weekdays if you have such an opportunity. This will help you avoid busy days on the lake.  

– Time of day to book trip

Morning

Are you planning fishing adventures on Lake Superior in the summer? If so, go fishing in the morning. Water cools down and fish bites actively during morning hours. On the other hand, water is cold during the morning hours in spring and fall. This has a negative impact on the activity of fish.  

Midday

Water warms up and fish start feeding actively during midday hours in spring and fall. However, it’s too hot to fish during midday hours in summer.  

Afternoon

Afternoon fishing on Lake Superior is productive at any time of the year. Water cools down during afternoon hours and fishermen can avoid heat in summer. During cold months, the water warms up in the afternoon. However, some anglers don’t like to go fishing in the afternoon because their fishing time is limited.   

Full-dayFull-day Lake Superior fishing trips offer multiple significant benefits to anglers. Such trips allow anglers to fish in the morning, afternoon, and evening hours. Full-day trips give anglers plenty of fishing time. So, beginners have an opportunity to master their fishing skills.

Oftentimes, anglers catch trophy fish during full-day trips. Fishermen are provided with meals and drinks during full-day fishing on Lake Superior. Take advantage of full-day trips if you would like to get the most out of fishing on the lake. The only disadvantage is that full-day fishing trips are more expensive than half-day ones.   

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Lake Erie, please check out this helpful article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Lake Ontario, please check out this helpful article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Lake Huron, please check out this helpful article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Lake Michigan, please check out this helpful article. To learn how good the fishing on Lake Erie is, check out this article. For a complete breakdown of the quality of fishing in Lake Michigan, check out this article. For a complete breakdown of the quality of fishing in Minnesota, check out this article.