Tackle shop recommendations, etc. — Advice for getting started fishing in Duluth

If you're into fly fishing, you have to go Great Lakes Fly Shop.

Marine General is locally-owned and has everything from tackle and fly fishing equipment to clothing and boat parts. 

How do you plan to fish? Big boat? Little boat? Shore fishing? Fly fishing?  If you have a bigger boat (or a smaller boat and willing to take some risks) there's plenty of places to head out on Lake Superior. There are boat landings on Garfield Avenue by UPS, in Superior, Knife River and Two Harbors up the North Shore, and many more. The St. Louis River is great if you've got a smaller boat or want to avoid congestion. A nice place to launch without too many people around is Clyde Avenue, right off Grand Avenue. If you're interested in shore fishing, try heading up Highway 61 and pull off anywhere. There are so many beautiful locations up there to do some peaceful fishing.

I know I haven't even scratched the surface on places to fish, so hopefully others will tell some of their favorite places.

Thanks, Bret & Tom!

I certainly should have mentioned: I'll be doing casual shore fishing, for whatever's biting. I don't have any fly fishing experience, but I will make a stop in to the Great Lakes Fly Shop soon; looks like a wonderful operation. And Marine General will get a visit, too.

Keep those suggestions coming, PDDers!

John at Great Lakes Fly Shop gives fly casting lessons in Lester Park.  He's also a very nice guy and very generous with his knowledge.

If you are going to fish the Bay you may want to learn a little more about its industrial heritage.

It's a great fishery but the heavy metal contamination may make you want to think about what to fish for and how big you want them to be as keepers, especially if you are feeding a family or future family.

Of course, fishing isn't neccessarily about catching fish.

The Bait Box in Superior has an interesting ice-dispensing machine that someone told me was invented by a Superior guy.

I made a 20-second demonstration video, because I'm a dork.