Dredging Project to Help Boaters at Arrowhead Fishing Pier

Flooding has caused extra sediment to pile up near the dock along the Saint Louis River

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – A project in Superior is aiming to make fishing a little easier on the Saint Louis River. The city is working with the DNR to dredge the area around the Arrowhead Fishing Pier.

Flooding over the last few years has caused extra sediment to pile up near the dock. Fishermen have expressed frustrations about their motors bottoming out, so the city is stepping in to fix the issue.

“I’m hoping the fisherman will be able to notice a difference this year sometime, whether we’re able to do it before the season opens or whether we’ll have to close for a short period of time after the season opens,” said Linda Cadotte, Director of Parks, Recreation & Forestry for the City of Superior. “There’s a certain window of when we’re able to because of spawning.”

Nearly 1,200 yards of sediment will be removed from the surface. Rather than move that material to a landfill, the DNR worked with the city of Superior on a unique way to reuse the sediment on another project in town at 1521 Winter Street.

“We were able to find a place where we were able to use the material as fill in a building demolition project, cover it up with other clean material, said John Morris, a hydrogeologist for the DNR. “It’s a win–win for everyone all around.”

The city of Superior says a portion of fishing licenses and boat launch fees will be used to help pay for this project.

Fishing season in Wisconsin begins May 6th.