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Windy City Anglers: Fall Feeding Frenzy on Lake Michigan
Published 7 months ago
Description
Artificial Lure here with your detailed Saturday fishing report for Chicago and Lake Michigan, September 27th, 2025.
Out on the lake this morning, anglers were greeted by a balmy start—temperatures steadily climbing out of the upper 60s into the mid-80s today, mostly sunny, with just a whisper of a south-southwest breeze picking up as the day goes on according to local NWS and East Chicago forecasts. You’ll see calm waters, with waves a foot or less—easy boating for those heading more than five miles out, thanks to a passing warm front this afternoon. Sunrise came at 6:41 AM, and you’ll have daylight until sunset at 6:41 PM, giving plenty of time to chase those hungry fall feeders.
Recent fishing activity shows the annual transition is underway. According to Indiana DNR, colder nearshore water has drawn some perch in out of Michigan City, with anglers reporting decent numbers the last couple of days. Salmon action is ramping up but spotty—folks trolling J plugs, meat rigs, and deep diving crankbaits have fooled a handful of mature kings and the occasional coho, but the real wave hasn’t hit yet. Shore anglers have started picking up kings and a few coho, especially at first and last light, working glow spoons and crankbaits. For a classic setup, skein under a bobber is producing bites—especially when the water’s on the cooler side, and there’s light surface chop, which triggers more strikes according to DNR’s 9/26/25 report.
If you’re thinking about heading up one of the Lake Michigan tributaries like Trail Creek or the Little Calumet, you’ll find a few early-run trout and salmon lurking, especially where there’s deeper water or structure. Water’s on the low and clear side with little rain lately, so stealth is key. Look for fish stacked up near logjams and the deepest holes—use lighter line and more natural presentations. Be polite on the bank and watch for private property signs.
Bass are still showing strong in the city and harbors as we ease into fall patterns. Tournament recaps from Michiana Outdoors News show big smallmouth (up to almost 7 lbs) weighed in recently on Ned rigs, swimbaits, and tube jigs mainly in 6-12 feet of water. Largemouth have been active, and topwater bite is solid at dawn—think poppers and walking baits fished along walls, slips, and weedlines. For numbers, finesse is your friend: Ned rigs, drop-shot rigs, and 2K jigs worked on hard bottom or transitions near current and boat docks. Occasional drum and pike have also been mixed in for multispecies fun.
Crappie and bluegill are sticking with mid-summer habits—look for them suspended off piers and deep weed edges, taking live bait on slip bobbers or tiny plastics, especially as schools relate to remaining green weeds and structure. Panfishing gets better as we cool down into next week.
Top baits today:
- Glow spoons and deep diving crankbaits for kings and coho at sunrise/set.
- J-plugs and meat rigs for trolling.
- Ned rigs, tube jigs, and drop-shot rigs for bass.
- Skein under a float or a juicy nightcrawler for a shot at salmon or a surprise mixed bag.
- Minnows or waxies under a slip bobber for perch or panfish.
Best hotspots:
- Navy Pier and Burnham Harbor for early salmon and mixed species.
- Calumet Park slips for bass and panfish.
- Indiana/Michigan stateline nearshore waters for perch and salmon, particularly early in the day while the bite is strongest.
- Deep holes and shady banks in Trail Creek and the Little Calumet for trout and salmon, especially if you sneak in with lightweight gear.
That’s your boots-on-the-dock look at today’s bite. Thanks for tuning in to the Lake Michigan Chicago fishing report. Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the latest scoop. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear
Out on the lake this morning, anglers were greeted by a balmy start—temperatures steadily climbing out of the upper 60s into the mid-80s today, mostly sunny, with just a whisper of a south-southwest breeze picking up as the day goes on according to local NWS and East Chicago forecasts. You’ll see calm waters, with waves a foot or less—easy boating for those heading more than five miles out, thanks to a passing warm front this afternoon. Sunrise came at 6:41 AM, and you’ll have daylight until sunset at 6:41 PM, giving plenty of time to chase those hungry fall feeders.
Recent fishing activity shows the annual transition is underway. According to Indiana DNR, colder nearshore water has drawn some perch in out of Michigan City, with anglers reporting decent numbers the last couple of days. Salmon action is ramping up but spotty—folks trolling J plugs, meat rigs, and deep diving crankbaits have fooled a handful of mature kings and the occasional coho, but the real wave hasn’t hit yet. Shore anglers have started picking up kings and a few coho, especially at first and last light, working glow spoons and crankbaits. For a classic setup, skein under a bobber is producing bites—especially when the water’s on the cooler side, and there’s light surface chop, which triggers more strikes according to DNR’s 9/26/25 report.
If you’re thinking about heading up one of the Lake Michigan tributaries like Trail Creek or the Little Calumet, you’ll find a few early-run trout and salmon lurking, especially where there’s deeper water or structure. Water’s on the low and clear side with little rain lately, so stealth is key. Look for fish stacked up near logjams and the deepest holes—use lighter line and more natural presentations. Be polite on the bank and watch for private property signs.
Bass are still showing strong in the city and harbors as we ease into fall patterns. Tournament recaps from Michiana Outdoors News show big smallmouth (up to almost 7 lbs) weighed in recently on Ned rigs, swimbaits, and tube jigs mainly in 6-12 feet of water. Largemouth have been active, and topwater bite is solid at dawn—think poppers and walking baits fished along walls, slips, and weedlines. For numbers, finesse is your friend: Ned rigs, drop-shot rigs, and 2K jigs worked on hard bottom or transitions near current and boat docks. Occasional drum and pike have also been mixed in for multispecies fun.
Crappie and bluegill are sticking with mid-summer habits—look for them suspended off piers and deep weed edges, taking live bait on slip bobbers or tiny plastics, especially as schools relate to remaining green weeds and structure. Panfishing gets better as we cool down into next week.
Top baits today:
- Glow spoons and deep diving crankbaits for kings and coho at sunrise/set.
- J-plugs and meat rigs for trolling.
- Ned rigs, tube jigs, and drop-shot rigs for bass.
- Skein under a float or a juicy nightcrawler for a shot at salmon or a surprise mixed bag.
- Minnows or waxies under a slip bobber for perch or panfish.
Best hotspots:
- Navy Pier and Burnham Harbor for early salmon and mixed species.
- Calumet Park slips for bass and panfish.
- Indiana/Michigan stateline nearshore waters for perch and salmon, particularly early in the day while the bite is strongest.
- Deep holes and shady banks in Trail Creek and the Little Calumet for trout and salmon, especially if you sneak in with lightweight gear.
That’s your boots-on-the-dock look at today’s bite. Thanks for tuning in to the Lake Michigan Chicago fishing report. Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the latest scoop. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear
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