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Lake Michigan Fishing Report: Coho Winding Down, Trout & Bass Going Strong
Published 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Description
Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your fresh Chicago Lake Michigan fishing report for Wednesday, June 4th, 2025.
Sunrise was at 5:17 a.m. and sunset will be at 8:23 p.m., giving us long daylight hours for those pre- and post-work bites. Weather’s been a mixed bag—patchy clouds with a soft south breeze. Winds are running 10 to 15 knots and should pick up a bit later, but right now waves are light at 1 to 2 feet, making for smooth launching and comfortable shore action. NOAA says a chance of afternoon showers with maybe a thunderstorm, so keep the rain gear in the bag just in case.
Water temps are still hovering in the mid-50s, which means we’re at the tail end of the shore Coho salmon season. There’s a handful of Coho left, especially in the Horseshoe area at Montrose Harbor, but they’re getting picky. Folks are still hitting them early and late with Tinsel Jigs worked 6 to 7 feet down. If you’re after trout, some nice Steelhead and Browns have been coming in—larger minnows, nightcrawlers, and casting spoons are putting up the best numbers. Perch is off-limits until June 16th, so leave the perch gear at home for now.
Boat anglers are working 100 to 200 feet out, running orange dodgers with peanut flies about 30 feet down. Boats continue to nab limits of Coho, with some scattered Chinook salmon and rainbow trout. Rainbows are running 4 to 6 pounds, and a solid Chinook or two have popped up here and there. Flashers in green or orange paired with small flies and some spoons in classic blue/silver have been hot.
Closer to shore, smallmouth bass activity has cooled a bit with the up-and-down weather, but they’re still absolutely catchable—especially in harbors and along rock piles. Belmont and Diversey harbors are still turning up bronzebacks, mostly on tube jigs, Ned rigs, and crankbaits in goby patterns. Don’t sleep on the drop shot either if the bite gets finicky.
A couple of the week’s hot spots worth your time:
- Montrose Horseshoe—last of the shore Coho, bonus trout and maybe a brown or two
- Jackson Park and Calumet Harbor—solid for smallmouth and the odd late-run salmon, especially around first light
- The downtown stretch—between Monroe and Navy Pier for a mix of bass and an off-chance big trout
Best baits today:
- For salmon: Orange dodgers with peanut flies, tinsel jigs, and 3” spoons
- For trout: Live minnows, nightcrawlers, silver or blue casting spoons
- For smallmouth: Tubes, Ned rigs, goby pattern cranks, drop shot with natural colored plastics
That’s your Wednesday rundown from the Big Pond. Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe for tomorrow’s update and all the latest local tips.
This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
This episode includes AI-generated content.
Sunrise was at 5:17 a.m. and sunset will be at 8:23 p.m., giving us long daylight hours for those pre- and post-work bites. Weather’s been a mixed bag—patchy clouds with a soft south breeze. Winds are running 10 to 15 knots and should pick up a bit later, but right now waves are light at 1 to 2 feet, making for smooth launching and comfortable shore action. NOAA says a chance of afternoon showers with maybe a thunderstorm, so keep the rain gear in the bag just in case.
Water temps are still hovering in the mid-50s, which means we’re at the tail end of the shore Coho salmon season. There’s a handful of Coho left, especially in the Horseshoe area at Montrose Harbor, but they’re getting picky. Folks are still hitting them early and late with Tinsel Jigs worked 6 to 7 feet down. If you’re after trout, some nice Steelhead and Browns have been coming in—larger minnows, nightcrawlers, and casting spoons are putting up the best numbers. Perch is off-limits until June 16th, so leave the perch gear at home for now.
Boat anglers are working 100 to 200 feet out, running orange dodgers with peanut flies about 30 feet down. Boats continue to nab limits of Coho, with some scattered Chinook salmon and rainbow trout. Rainbows are running 4 to 6 pounds, and a solid Chinook or two have popped up here and there. Flashers in green or orange paired with small flies and some spoons in classic blue/silver have been hot.
Closer to shore, smallmouth bass activity has cooled a bit with the up-and-down weather, but they’re still absolutely catchable—especially in harbors and along rock piles. Belmont and Diversey harbors are still turning up bronzebacks, mostly on tube jigs, Ned rigs, and crankbaits in goby patterns. Don’t sleep on the drop shot either if the bite gets finicky.
A couple of the week’s hot spots worth your time:
- Montrose Horseshoe—last of the shore Coho, bonus trout and maybe a brown or two
- Jackson Park and Calumet Harbor—solid for smallmouth and the odd late-run salmon, especially around first light
- The downtown stretch—between Monroe and Navy Pier for a mix of bass and an off-chance big trout
Best baits today:
- For salmon: Orange dodgers with peanut flies, tinsel jigs, and 3” spoons
- For trout: Live minnows, nightcrawlers, silver or blue casting spoons
- For smallmouth: Tubes, Ned rigs, goby pattern cranks, drop shot with natural colored plastics
That’s your Wednesday rundown from the Big Pond. Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe for tomorrow’s update and all the latest local tips.
This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
This episode includes AI-generated content.