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Coho Reign on Chicago's Spring Shoreline - Lake Michigan Fishing Report
Published 1 year ago
Description
This is Artificial Lure with your local Lake Michigan, Chicago fishing report for Friday, April 18, 2025.
Chicago’s spring fishing season is shaping up nicely. Early this morning we saw partly cloudy skies and temps in the mid-40s, expected to warm up to the high 50s by late afternoon. Winds are coming in light from the south-southeast at 6 to 8 miles per hour, making conditions near perfect for both shoreline and boat anglers. Sunrise was at 6:30 AM, and sunset will be at 7:28 PM, so those morning and late afternoon golden hours are prime time to be out.
Fish activity is picking up as the lake water warms to between 38 and 42 degrees. Right now, Coho salmon are stealing the show up and down the Chicago shoreline. Reliable spots like Montrose Harbor and Navy Pier have seen steady action, with anglers limiting out on 2 to 4 pound coh—so get out early for the best bite. Brown trout are also active, especially near warm water outflows on the industrial stretches. Some browns landed this week have pushed 8 pounds. Steelhead are winding down their spring run, but you’ll still find a few lingering in deeper pools of the local tributaries and harbors, particularly by the bridges and structure at Trail Creek and the Little Calumet River[3][5].
Top producing lures for coho are body baits like Berkley Flicker Shads, Thin Fins, and Rapalas in shiny silver, green, or blue. Browns are hitting on Little Cleo spoons and similar bright-colored hardware. If steelhead are what you’re after, try drifting spawn sacs or beads under a float. For those casting from shore, don’t overlook blade baits and tube jigs—white or pearl tube jigs and firetiger blades have brought in both browns and steelhead lately[7][10]. For bait, salmon eggs and live minnows still draw bites for all three species, especially on those slower, colder mornings.
As for hotspots, Montrose Harbor and Navy Pier remain the go-to locations for both coho and browns, especially during the quieter hours just after sunrise and before sunset. Portage Lakefront Park just over the Indiana line is another excellent bet for shore anglers, as the coho are stacking up near the pier and wherever there’s a bit of warm discharge water[3][5]. If you’re chasing that last steelhead of the spring, focus on the deeper holes and bridge pools along Trail Creek and the Little Calumet.
Lake Michigan doesn’t have tides, but pay attention to wind direction and look for mudlines or slightly warmer water—these areas are drawing fish closer to shore right now.
With steady action for coho, solid brown trout roaming the early season outflows, and a few steelhead hanging on, this weekend is primed for some great spring fishing. Grab your favorite spoons, body baits, or tube jigs, head out to Montrose or Navy Pier, and make the most of these April days on the lake. Tight lines!
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
Chicago’s spring fishing season is shaping up nicely. Early this morning we saw partly cloudy skies and temps in the mid-40s, expected to warm up to the high 50s by late afternoon. Winds are coming in light from the south-southeast at 6 to 8 miles per hour, making conditions near perfect for both shoreline and boat anglers. Sunrise was at 6:30 AM, and sunset will be at 7:28 PM, so those morning and late afternoon golden hours are prime time to be out.
Fish activity is picking up as the lake water warms to between 38 and 42 degrees. Right now, Coho salmon are stealing the show up and down the Chicago shoreline. Reliable spots like Montrose Harbor and Navy Pier have seen steady action, with anglers limiting out on 2 to 4 pound coh—so get out early for the best bite. Brown trout are also active, especially near warm water outflows on the industrial stretches. Some browns landed this week have pushed 8 pounds. Steelhead are winding down their spring run, but you’ll still find a few lingering in deeper pools of the local tributaries and harbors, particularly by the bridges and structure at Trail Creek and the Little Calumet River[3][5].
Top producing lures for coho are body baits like Berkley Flicker Shads, Thin Fins, and Rapalas in shiny silver, green, or blue. Browns are hitting on Little Cleo spoons and similar bright-colored hardware. If steelhead are what you’re after, try drifting spawn sacs or beads under a float. For those casting from shore, don’t overlook blade baits and tube jigs—white or pearl tube jigs and firetiger blades have brought in both browns and steelhead lately[7][10]. For bait, salmon eggs and live minnows still draw bites for all three species, especially on those slower, colder mornings.
As for hotspots, Montrose Harbor and Navy Pier remain the go-to locations for both coho and browns, especially during the quieter hours just after sunrise and before sunset. Portage Lakefront Park just over the Indiana line is another excellent bet for shore anglers, as the coho are stacking up near the pier and wherever there’s a bit of warm discharge water[3][5]. If you’re chasing that last steelhead of the spring, focus on the deeper holes and bridge pools along Trail Creek and the Little Calumet.
Lake Michigan doesn’t have tides, but pay attention to wind direction and look for mudlines or slightly warmer water—these areas are drawing fish closer to shore right now.
With steady action for coho, solid brown trout roaming the early season outflows, and a few steelhead hanging on, this weekend is primed for some great spring fishing. Grab your favorite spoons, body baits, or tube jigs, head out to Montrose or Navy Pier, and make the most of these April days on the lake. Tight lines!
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI