6.2. Lester River

Lester River was named in honor of a pioneer. The Objibwe called it "Busabikia-Zibi" meaning "Rocky Canyon River", or "the river that comes through a worn hollow place in the rock". The Lester extends some 15 miles back into upland bogs. It is a favorite stream for netting smelt, a small fish that was first stocked in Lake Michigan in the early 1900s, and quickly spread to Lake Superior. Beginning sometime in April the fish migrate at night up North Shore streams in an attempt to lay their eggs. Many people stand in the frigid streams during this "smelt run" to net the fish. If you're riding one of the railroad's Duluth Zephyr trips, your train will now head back to the depot, otherwise your journey will continue.