Temperance River
Fly fishing in Minnesota · Advanced · Best seasons: Spring, Fall
Target Species
Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Pink Salmon, Salmon
About This Water
Known for its dramatic waterfalls, the upper reaches hold wild brookies while the mouth hosts seasonal runs of Lake Superior salmonids.
Fishing Recommendations
The Temperance River is one of the most dramatic and rugged gems of Minnesota’s North Shore. Carving through deep basalt canyons and plunging over spectacular waterfalls within Temperance River State Park, it offers a "pocket water" fly fishing experience that feels more like the Mountain West than the Midwest.
Here is your guide to mastering the Temperance.
🎣 Location Overview
The Temperance River is unique among North Shore streams because it lacks the "sandbar" at its mouth; it flows directly and deeply into Lake Superior. The lower section is characterized by deep potholes, sheer cliffs, and heavy rapids. As you move upstream of Highway 61, the gradient levels out slightly, offering classic pool-and-riffle water surrounded by cedar and pine forests.
Anglers love the Temperance for its wildness. While other North Shore rivers can get crowded during the salmon runs, the Temperance’s rugged terrain naturally thins out the crowds. It is a "high-gradient" stream, meaning the water moves fast, stays oxygenated, and requires active, athletic wading.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
- Pink Salmon: Known locally as "Pinks" or "Humpies." They enter the river in the fall to spawn. They are aggressive early in the run but become more focused on redds as time passes. They hold in the slower tails of pools.
- Rainbow Trout (Steelhead): The "Kamloops" and wild "Steelhead" (adventurous lake-run rainbows) enter in the spring. They hold in deep "seams" where fast water meets slow water.
- Brook Trout: The upper reaches (above the main falls) hold resident Brookies. They are opportunistic feeders, hiding behind boulders or under overhanging brush, waiting for terrestrials or nymphs to drift by.
- Coho Salmon: Occasionally found in the fall alongside Pinks, though in smaller numbers.
📅 Best Times to Fish
Spring (April – May)
This is Steelhead season. The window opens as the ice breaks (ice-out).
- Condition: Look for "tea-colored" water. If it’s chocolate milk, stay home. If it’s clear, the fish are spooky.
- Window: Mid-morning when the sun warms the water by just a few degrees, activating the fish’s metabolism.
Fall (September – October)
The Pink Salmon run typically peaks in mid-September.
- Condition: Low, clear water is common in the fall. Rainy days that "freshen" the river will trigger a fresh push of fish from the lake.
- Window: Early morning and overcast days are best for salmon, as they become skittish in the deep, clear canyon pools under bright sun.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
For Spring Steelhead:
- Patterns: Egg patterns (Glo-bugs) in peach, chartreuse, or Oregon cheese. Nymphs like Prince Nymphs (#10-14) or Stoneflies.
- Technique: High-stick nymphing. Use plenty of split shot to get the fly down into the "zone" (the bottom 6 inches of the water column) quickly in the heavy current.
For Fall Salmon:
- Patterns: Small, flashy streamers like the Comet or Woolly Buggers (purple, pink, or black). For spooky fish in low water, use small nymphs like a Pheasant Tail (#16).
- Technique: The "Swing." Cast quartering downstream and let the fly swing through the tail of the pool. For Pinks, a slight twitch can trigger an aggressive strike.
For Resident Brookies:
- Patterns: Elk Hair Caddis (#14-16) or Royal Wulff. They aren't picky, but they love a high-floating dry fly.
- Technique: Short, accurate casts. "Dapping" your fly in small pockets between rocks is often more effective than long casts.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- The "Hidden" Upper River: Most people fish within a half-mile of the Highway 61 bridge. If you hike further upstream (north of the Superior Hiking Trail crossing), you will find beautiful, secluded water for resident Brook Trout that rarely sees a fly.
- Watch the Flow: The Temperance rises and falls rapidly with rain. Check the USGS gauges for nearby rivers (like the Baptism) to estimate flows.
- The Stealth Factor: Because the water is often crystal clear, wear earthy tones (greens/browns) and avoid "lining" the fish. Stay low and fish from the bank when possible before stepping into the water.
- Studded Boots are Mandatory: The basalt rock in the Temperance is notoriously slippery—it’s like walking on greased bowling balls. Use felt soles with studs or aluminum bars.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access: Ample parking is available at Temperance River State Park. The Superior Hiking Trail follows the river, providing excellent access to both the lower canyons and the upper stretches.
- Regulations:
- A Minnesota Fishing License and a Trout Stamp are required.
- The lower section (below the barrier) has specific "Below the Bridge" regulations. Always check the current MN DNR Trout Handbook, as seasons for Steelhead and Salmon have very specific harvest/catch-and-release dates.
- Barbless hooks are highly recommended for the health of the fishery.
- Safety: The canyons are steep and the current is powerful. Do not attempt to wade in the high-flow areas of the lower gorge—a slip there can be fatal. Stick to the designated trails to move between pools.
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midges Chironomidae | midge | March, April, October, November | Afternoon | #18-24 | Zebra Midge #18-22, Griffith's Gnat #20-24 |
| Early Brown Stonefly Strophopteryx fasciata | stonefly | April, May | Afternoon | #12-16 | Pats Rubber Legs #12-14, Early Brown Stone #14-16 |
| Blue Winged Olive Baetis | mayfly | May, September, October | Late Morning/Afternoon | #18-22 | RS2 #20-22, BWO Parachute #18-22 |
| Hendrickson Ephemerella invaria | mayfly | May, June | Afternoon | #12-14 | Red Quill #12-14, Pheasant Tail Nymph #12-16 |
| Grannom Caddis Brachycentrus | caddis | May | All Day | #14-16 | Elk Hair Caddis #14-16, Deep Sparkle Pupa #14-16 |
| Light Cahill Stenonema | mayfly | June, July | Evening | #12-14 | Light Cahill #12-14, Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear #12-14 |
| Spotted Sedge Hydropsyche | caddis | June, July, August | Evening | #14-18 | LaFontaine's Emergent Pupa #16, X-Caddis #14-18 |
| Giant Salmonfly Pteronarcys dorsata | stonefly | June | Morning/Evening | #4-8 | Kaufmanns Stone #6-8, Stimulator #8-10 |
| Terrestrials (Ants and Beetles) Formicidae/Coleoptera | terrestrial | July, August, September | Afternoon | #12-18 | Cinnamon Ant #14-18, Black Foam Beetle #12-16 |
| White Winged Black Tern Tricorythodes | mayfly | August, September | Morning | #20-24 | Trico Spinner #20-24, Trico Nymph #22 |