Rainbow trout and brown trout are caught downstream from the hatchery to the lake. Perich said most anglers never go upstream from the hatchery where brook trout action is decent.

The French River is located 11 miles northeast of Duluth on Highway 61. The upstream portion is best accessed from Highway 43.

Sucker River

Numerous easements along the river provide a great deal of fishable water all along its length. Most anglers tend to work the portion of the river between the expressway and the scenic highway because it is accessible to lake-originating rainbow trout and brown trout. Less pressured brown trout and brook trout can be found upstream from Highway 61 or either side of the river where County Road 43 crosses.

Baptism River

The Baptism River is a popular fishing destination because it offers a lot of accessible water thanks to its proximity to Tettegouche State Park, the town of Finland and State Highway 1.

Well-traveled trails line the river, providing anglers with numerous opportunities along the way. Most of the fishing pressure is found between the highway bridge and waterfall about a half-mile upstream known as “the Cascades.” Farther upstream to the headwaters, anglers can find brook trout and a stray brown trout.

Temperance River

Located two miles southwest of Tofte in the heart of Temperance River State Park, the Temperance River has limited fishing near the lake because several obstacles prevent trout from moving inland. Park trails offer fishing opportunities farther upstream, but watch your step.

Perich recommended approaching the Temperance River from the paralleling Sawbill Trail off Highway 61 in Tofte. The farther upstream you go, the better the brook trout fishing.

Cascade River

About 100 miles northeast of Duluth and just shy of Grand Marais is the Cascade River and Cascade River State Park.

Rainbow trout fishing can be good near the lake during the spring run, as can brook trout fishing upstream. A network of roads including Bally Creek Road and Cascade River Road cross or parallel sections of the Cascade’s headwaters. Most of the land around the Cascade is state forest.

DULUTH AREA

Most anglers associate the Arrowhead Region with Lake Superior, but to do so is to neglect some of the better trout streams in the Duluth area.

Deserae Hendrickson is the regional fisheries supervisor for the DNR in Duluth, and she recommended fishing the Cloquet River and the Blackhoof River.

Blackhoof River

Part of the Nemadji River system, the Blackhoof River is known as one of the better brook trout streams, while also producing a few brown trout. Hendrickson said the best fishing begins seven miles north of the Nemadji and continues on until the confluence of the two rivers. “There is a more consistent flow in that portion and better conditions for consistent populations of trout,” she said.

One of the easiest ways to access the Blackhoof River is by visiting the Blackhoof Wildlife Management Area surrounding a portion of the river. The WMA is located on County Road 6 east of Barnum and west of State Highway 23. The Blackhoof crosses Highway 23 and continues on to its confluence with the Nemadji River.

Cloquet River

The Cloquet River is one of the only trout streams in our state that can be fished either from the bank or from a boat. The river flows from the Island Lake dam down to the St. Louis River.

DNR-stocked brown trout are most prevalent just below the dam and downstream in the main channel. Brook trout and the occasional brown trout can be found in the many tributaries.

There is a public access near the Island Lake dam 10 miles north of Duluth on Lavaque Road (County Road 48) near the town of Fredenburg. Other access points to the river can be found off County Road 48 west of the dam and off County Road 15 north of State Highway 53 near the town of Bartlett. A portion of this area is in the Cloquet Valley State Forest.