From Duluth, 21 waters from our guide are no more than 75 minutes away by road — 18 lakes and 3 reservoirs. Together they hold records of 42 fish species.

Lake Superior is 1 minutes from Duluth

Starting from Duluth, the nearest water is Lake Superior at 1 min (0.7 mi).

Also within a short drive:

42 fish species around Duluth

Black Crappie turns up in more of these waters than any other fish: 20 of 21. It is followed by Bluegill (19), Largemouth Bass (18), Northern Pike (18) and Pumpkinseed (18).

All 5 are on record at Pike Lake, the nearest water for each of them — 17 min (11.4 mi) from the center.

Leading the list: Lake Superior

Our ranking for Duluth weighs the drive, the depth map, the fish on record and the ramps; it puts these 3 first:

  • Lake Superior: 20,263,175 acres, 32 fish species on record, max depth 961.6 ft (surveyed), 203 ramps and 69,814,627 fish stocked.
  • Island Lake Reservoir: 6,460 acres, 16 fish species on record, max depth 70 ft (surveyed) and 3 ramps.
  • Pike Lake: 493 acres, 9 fish species on record, max depth 60 ft (surveyed) and 1 ramp.

Lake Superior goes down to 961.6 ft

The deepest water in this guide is Lake Superior: 961.6 ft at its deepest point (surveyed). Other deep spots are Island Lake Reservoir (70 ft), Pike Lake (60 ft) and Prairie Lake (45 ft). Maximum depths are known for all 21 waters.

49 boat ramps within reach

Around Duluth you will find 49 boat ramps and 16 shore-fishing spots on the waters in this guide. Nearest to the center for launching: St. Louis River Estuary, Park Point Public Water Access Site on Lake Superior, roughly 4.3 mi as the crow flies (2 lanes).

Camping within reach of Duluth

You can camp next to the water: 8 campgrounds are within reach of Duluth. The closest are Knife River Campground (19 mi, by Lake Superior), Penmarallter Campground (23 mi, by Lake Superior) and Burlington Bay Campground (26.9 mi, by Lake Superior).

One stocked water near Duluth

One water near the city has stocking records: Lake Superior (69,814,627 fish).