Minnesota towns
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 $79.99
Fishing near Duluth, Minnesota
St. Louis County, population 86,697.
- under a mileto nearest lake
- 10accesses nearby
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo: Sletbte, CC BY-SA 3.0
Duluth, Minnesota
Angling out of Duluth
Duluth is a St. Louis County city of 86,697 people, by the 2020 Census. Golf Course Pond is the nearest lake page, roughly under a mile northeast. The nearest launch page is St. Louis River, Rice’s Point Access (2 miles).
Nearby, Wild Rice Reservoir had the top walleye catch rate, 15.92 per gill net. The Keene Creek, 3 miles away, is the closest trout stream page. Shore anglers have St. Louis River – Interstate Fishing Pier, 2 miles from town.
under a mileto Golf Course Pond
10access pages within 12 mi
3fishing piers within 15 mi
8shops within 15 mi
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Lakes
Lakes around Duluth
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf Course Pond | under a mile northeast | 1 | 5 | |
| Twin Lake near Duluth, St. Louis County | under a mile northeast | 2 | 9 | |
| St. Louis River Estuary | 4 miles south | 10,255 | 55 | 9.68 |
| Antoinette Lake | 7 miles north | 35 | 8 | |
| Wild Rice Reservoir | 9 miles north | 2,372 | 11 | 15.92 |
| Pike Lake, St. Louis County | 10 miles northwest | 488 | 60 | 15.33 |
Streams an easy drive from Duluth
- Keene Creek3 miles, designated trout stream
- Miller Creek3 miles, designated trout stream
- Chester Creek3 miles, designated trout stream
- Tischer Creek4 miles, designated trout stream
- Kingsbury Creek5 miles, designated trout stream
Straight-line distances from the Census point for Duluth; DNR LakeFinder data.
Map
Duluth area map
- St. Louis River, Rice's Point AccessSt. Louis River, 2 miles
- St. Louis River, Grassy Point AccessSt. Louis River, 3 miles
- St. Louis River Estuary, Park Point AccessSt. Louis River Estuary, 5 miles
- St. Louis River, Munger Landing, Clyde Avenue AccessSt. Louis River, 6 miles
- Lake Superior, Brighton Beach AccessSuperior, 8 miles
- St. Louis River, Boyscout AccessSt. Louis River, 9 miles
- Pike Lake Access near HermantownPike, 9 miles
- Wild Rice Lake AccessWild Rice, 9 miles
- St. Louis River, Fond du Lac (E) AccessSt. Louis River, 10 miles
- St. Louis River, Fond du Lac Campground AccessSt. Louis River, 11 miles
Public fishing piers near Duluth
- St. Louis River – Interstate Fishing PierSt. Louis River Estuary, 2 miles
- Lake Superior Shore Fishing SiteSuperior, 12 miles
- Lake Superior, French River Wayside Shore Fishing SiteSuperior, 14 miles
Flow
USGS readings around Duluth
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis River At Scanlon, Mn | 472 cfs, 2.67 ft gage height | Oct 19 7:30 pm |
| Knife River Near Two Harbors, Mn | 9 cfs, 25.82 ft gage height | Oct 19 8:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 19, 2026 8:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Local help
Guides who list Duluth
Bait shops an easy drive from Duluth
- Minnesota Slipmarina, St. Louis, 2 miles
- U.S. Vessel Yard Slipmarina, St. Louis, 2 miles
- Harbor Cove Marinamarina, St. Louis, 2 miles
- Lakehead Boat Basin Incmarina, Duluth, 2 miles
- DICK'S Sporting Goods Duluthsporting goods store, Duluth, 2 miles
- Marine Generalbait and tackle shop, Duluth, 3 miles
- Fleet Farmsporting goods store, Hermantown, 3 miles
- Bass Pro Shops Hermantownsporting goods store, Hermantown, 4 miles
Guide services on Duluth
- Action Fishing ChartersLake Superior charter, Lake Superior, Duluth, (218) 355-8540
- Angler Management ChartersLake Superior charter, Lake Superior, Duluth, (218) 390-7933
- Cat's Paw Lake Superior FishingLake Superior charter, Lake Superior, Duluth, (218) 343-2337
- Chamorrita ChartersLake Superior charter, Lake Superior, Duluth, (218) 393-7121
- Happy Hooker ChartersLake Superior charter, Lake Superior, Duluth, (218) 310-7636
- I'd Rather Be Fishing ChartersLake Superior charter, Lake Superior, Duluth, (218) 428-0926
- Lake and River ChartersLake Superior charter, Lake Superior, Duluth, (218) 590-1302
- Looper ChartersLake Superior charter, Lake Superior, Duluth, (218) 390-0062
- Nelsons Guide & Charter ServiceLake Superior charter, Lake Superior, Duluth, (218) 628-1681
- Optimum Charters – Lake Superior FishingLake Superior charter, Lake Superior, Duluth, (855) 700-0013
Limits
Keeping fish near Duluth, by the booklet
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (not more than 2 over 26", all from 22-26" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (either 2 northern pike over 26" and none from 22 to 26" or 1 from 22 to 26" and 1 over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
| Stream trout | 5 combined total (only 1 over 16") | April 11 – Sept. 30, 2026 |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations; pike and bass rows for the North-central Zone by the town position.
Nearby
What sits close to Duluth
Towns to stay in near Duluth
- Proctor5 miles
- Hermantown5 miles
- Rice Lake9 miles
- Scanlon15 miles
Duluth and its counties
- St. Louis Countyseat: Duluth
Fish guide
Catches common at Duluth
Photo: Virginia State Parks staff, CC BY 2.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
_(51745624867)_(cropped).jpg){kind=link}
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
.jpg){kind=link}
Photo: Eric Engbretson for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Answers
Fishing from Duluth, asked by readers
Which lake is closest to Duluth?
Golf Course Pond, under a mile northeast.
How far is the nearest access from Duluth?
Try St. Louis River, Rice's Point Access, about 2 miles off.
Where is shore fishing near Duluth?
St. Louis River – Interstate Fishing Pier, 2 miles away.
Where are minnows sold near Duluth?
Minnesota Slip is nearest.
Which nearby lake netted the most walleye for Duluth anglers?
Wild Rice Reservoir, 15.92 walleye per gill net in its last DNR survey.
Which Minnesota county contains Duluth?
St. Louis County; its county page lists the lakes.
Is designated trout water near Duluth?
The Keene Creek, about 3 miles.
Is Duluth in the Northeast Zone?
The North-central Zone, judged from the location of Duluth.
How much is a week of fishing near Duluth?
Nonresidents 16 and up can buy a 72-hour license for $36 or a 7-day license for $43.
Line up a lake day from Duluth
Every Minnesota spot here has a directions button.