Minnesota
St. Louis River at Scanlon
Current River Rating
Excellent · 93
Conditions look favorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Go
Recommended Window
Saturday, 12:00 PM–3:00 PM
Why
- Air temperature is comfortable for fishing.
- Light to moderate wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 412 CFS
- Gage Height
- 2.52 ft
- Water Temperature
- 72 °F
- Latest current reading
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:30 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 04024000 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
Loading readings from the past 7 days…
Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
Loading advisory…
Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Fog
Temperature
62°F
Feels like
64°F
Wind
4 mph NE
Wind gust
8 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 2:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.26 in
Last 48 hours
0.26 in
Some recent rainfall may begin influencing river conditions.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 3 AM
Fog
Temp 61°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 7 AM
Fog
Temp 62°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 11 AM
Fog
Temp 63°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Sat 3 PM
Overcast
Temp 70°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 7 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 65°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Sat 11 PM
Overcast
Temp 60°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Fog
High 72°F / Low 60°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 23 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 77°F / Low 59°F
Chance 12%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 17 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Drizzle
High 82°F / Low 58°F
Chance 63%
Precip 0.03 in
Max gust 29 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Showers
High 90°F / Low 63°F
Chance 91%
Precip 0.17 in
Max gust 43 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
Loading historical flow…
Fishing Overview
St. Louis River at Scanlon, Minnesota. Monitoring-Backed from USGS (live 00010, 00060, 00065).
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at St. Louis River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
The St. Louis at Scanlon is the Cloquet–Duluth Lake Superior tributary fishing reach at the USGS pin. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 04024000 (live discharge, stage, and water temperature). Distinct from St. Louis near Skibo 04015438 and from Lake Superior main body. Salmon and steelhead runs are fishery context, not condition ratings. Flow Context remains default-deny. Hatch Match publishes general fly suggestions only.
Target species
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
MNDNR Scanlon smallmouth. USGS 04024000. Not Skibo 04015438.
Walleye
Sander vitreus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
MNDNR lower St. Louis walleye.
Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Seasonal MNDNR Chinook. MNDNR weir, creel, and stocking counts are fishery context. They are not StrikeTracks river condition ratings.
Northern Pike
Esox lucius
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
MNDNR lower St. Louis pike.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- Yes
- Flow regime
- Regulated flow
Lower St. Louis River at Scanlon, Carlton County, a Lake Superior tributary below the inland Skibo reach.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Fly fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Trolling
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public fishing is documented by MNDNR Scanlon / Cloquet / St. Louis River estuary access. Catalog coordinates are USGS 04024000. Estuary and Fond du Lac Band waters require posted rules.
Stocking information
MNDNR Great Lakes tributary salmon and steelhead programs use the lower St. Louis. Confirm current official notices. MNDNR weir, creel, and stocking counts are fishery context. They are not StrikeTracks river condition ratings.
Official sources
MNDNR St. Louis River / Lake Superior tributary rules change. Migratory steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are not a StrikeTracks species-selector ID; they are described in overview and regulation caution only. Distinct from Skibo 04015438. Confirm current MNDNR and tribal notices.
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerConservative overlap streamer family. Not an insect Hatch claim.
- Parachute-style dryOne general surface family appropriate to mixed fisheries — not a Hatch report.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphOne general subsurface family. Not destination entomology.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Carlton, Minnesota
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Carlton
Management Category
Great Lakes tributary mixed river
Regulation Scope
St. Louis River at Scanlon
Regulation Summary
St. Louis at Scanlon: MNDNR Great Lakes tributary rules. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
smallmouth-bass, walleye, chinook-salmon, northern-pike
Access, Parking, and Regulations
Loading access and regulations…
