Water temperatures in the Duluth Area (Lower Shore) ranged between 41 and 44 degrees this past week. Water temperatures in the Finland Area (Middle Shore) ranged between 39 and 42 degrees, while water temperatures in the Grand Marais Area (Upper Shore) ranged between 33 and 42 degrees. Streams are still running high and turbid, and some ice is still present in Grand Marais Area streams. Projections of greater than two inches of rain between today and Monday will likely increase flows substantially. Due to cold water temperatures, more rainbow trout were still caught on streams at the Duluth end of the lake. Anglers interviewed by the lower shore creel clerk caught a total of 16 Kamloops and 14 steelhead. The lower shore creel takes place on the Lester, French, Sucker and Knife rivers.

Anglers interviewed by the middle shore creel clerk caught 2 steelhead and 1 Kamloops. The middle shore creel takes place on the Stewart, Silver, Gooseberry, Split Rock, Beaver, and Baptism rivers. Anglers interviewed by the upper shore creel clerk were unsuccessful in catching a steelhead or Kamloops. The upper shore creel takes place on the Cross, Temperance, Poplar, Cascade, Devil Track, Kadunce, Brule rivers.

Although water temperatures are currently in the low to mid 40's on many streams, weekend air temperatures with highs in the upper 30's and lows in the 20's, will result in stream temperatures likely decreasing. We expect numbers in the run to increase in the early part of next week as air and water temperatures increase and water levels decrease. Despite the calendar reading April 25th today, the run is still in its early stages on most streams due to water temperatures.

As of 4/25/08, the Knife River fish trap has sampled 119 unclipped steelhead and 149 clipped steelhead, and the French River fish trap has sampled 17 unclipped steelhead, 4 clipped steelhead and 112 Kamloops strain rainbow trout.

Smelt: A few reports of smelt have come in, with smelters having limited success along Park Point. Stream water temperatures remain below the 44-50 degree range when smelt typically move into North Shore streams. The smelt run has been very small to nearly nonexistent in recent years. We do not expect this to change. Please see the smelt page.