A freshwater reef break on Lake Superior that legitimately earns comparisons to Rocky Point, Stoney Point is located about 25 miles north of Duluth on Minnesota's North Shore. NE winds fetch across a 300-mile-long lake trench before energy detonates on a shallow rock shelf here, producing a top-to-bottom, hollow, fast wave that punishes mistakes with a boulder-strewn bottom. The wave works from under 3ft up to double-overhead-plus, but its best sessions arrive in the dead of winter when NE winds clock north and sustain 2-3 days of overhead groundswell. Experienced surfers only, helmets are strongly recommended. Bottom: reef-rocky. Season: November through February. Consistency: 15-30 sessions per year, roughly half in deep winter. Come prepared for air temps between 0-15°F, blizzard driving conditions, and offshores that can blow so hard paddling in becomes impossible. Time your session for the lull between wind-shift and blow-out, which can close fast.
Hard access, extreme cold, and genuine physical risk keep the lineup nearly empty. On a good winter day you may share it with a handful of dedicated locals. Respect the handful of surfers who have put in the work to understand this wave. If you show up underprepared, you make it harder for everyone in the water.
Take Hwy 61 about 25 miles north of Duluth. The approach is straightforward but winter driving on the North Shore in a blizzard is not. Bring dry bags, full-change warm layers, and hot drinks. No facilities at the break. Duluth has gear and food. Water quality on Lake Superior is generally excellent.
When Stoney isn't breaking or has blown out, other North Shore reef and point setups along Hwy 61 can hold smaller NE wind-swell. Duluth's harbor-area beach breaks offer a more forgiving option when conditions deteriorate.
Forecast by Windy.app
