Minnesota
St. Louis River at Scanlon
Location Snapshot
St. Louis River at Scanlon is a larger northeastern Minnesota mainstem reach downstream from the colder upper river near Skibo. Smallmouth bass are the primary supported target, with walleye, northern pike, and Chinook salmon creating a mixed warmwater, coolwater, and migratory fishery.
Current River Rating
Good · 84
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
Wednesday, 7:00 AM–10:00 AM
Why
- Water temperature is within a broad fishable range.
- Air temperature is comfortable for fishing.
Favorable Factors
- Light to moderate wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 462 CFS
- Gage Height
- 2.66 ft
- Water Temperature
- 51.8 °F
- Latest current reading
- Oct 20, 2026, 11:00 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 04024000 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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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
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
36°F
Feels like
29°F
Wind
6 mph E
Wind gust
9 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 4:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 7 AM
Clear
Temp 36°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Tue 11 AM
Clear
Temp 50°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Tue 3 PM
Clear
Temp 62°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Tue 7 PM
Clear
Temp 51°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Tue 11 PM
Clear
Temp 45°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Wed 3 AM
Overcast
Temp 42°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Clear
High 62°F / Low 35°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 18 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Overcast
High 64°F / Low 42°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 15 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Overcast
High 66°F / Low 46°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 17 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Drizzle
High 69°F / Low 47°F
Chance 13%
Precip 0.04 in
Max gust 34 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
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Fishing Overview
Smallmouth bass are in the mixed fishery on the St. Louis River at Scanlon, a Great Lakes tributary.
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
Target species
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Walleye
Sander vitreus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Northern Pike
Esox lucius
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- Yes
- Flow regime
- Regulated flow
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Fly fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Trolling
Official sources
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
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