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Lake Michigan Fishing Report: Smallies, Salmon & Perch Bite on Chicago Lakefront
Published 7 months ago
Description
Artificial Lure here, bringing you your Lake Michigan fishing report straight from Chicago’s lakefront for Sunday, September 28, 2025.
Sunrise opened at 6:43 AM, and sunset’s clocking out at 6:40 PM. The lake’s settling under a bluebird sky, with highs tapping out around 79 degrees and cooler breezes drifting in near the water, according to ABC7 Chicago’s forecast. Expect a classic early fall pattern—cool to start, warming rapidly, light jacket in the morning, t-shirt weather by lunch.
Winds push in from the northeast at 10–15 knots this morning, laying down to 5–10 knots by night. Waves are riding 2–4 feet early but will be taming to 1–3 feet this afternoon, making for pleasant conditions along the Chicago shore and out farther into the blue. Water temp around Indiana Harbor and Michigan City is holding firm near 55°F, so waders and boaters, layer up if you’re wet-wading.
This time of year, fish know change is coming. Reports up and down the southern basin show smallmouth bass are hot right now, with most success coming on soft plastics—Ned rigs, tube jigs, and swimbaits fished slow over rock piles, breakwalls, and transitions from 6 to 15 feet. Michiana Outdoors News said recent smallmouth tournaments near the Michigan line saw five-pounders weighed in, best catches on Ned rigs, A-rigs, and drop-shot set-ups. That pattern stretches into Chicagoland—plug a green pumpkin or goby-colored Ned rig tight to rocks at Montrose or Burnham Harbor and hang on.
Chinook salmon and steelhead are pushing toward the harbors, chasing cooler temps and river mouths. Early risers tossing spoons and crankbaits at dawn reported a few hookups, especially around Diversey and Jackson harbors. Set your drag light and bring a net—these fish run hot.
Perch bite is spotty but worth a shot along Navy Pier and the breakwalls off 31st Street. Classic presentations—small jigs tipped with minnows or soft plastics—are stealing more fish than flashy rigs. Best window is mid-morning, and don’t overlook casting a slip bobber rig near the bottom.
Largemouth are sliding back into the weeds and marinas. A slow-rolled chatterbait or a Texas-rigged creature bait will get bit, especially late afternoon as sun angles down.
Other panfish—like bluegills—are moving deeper, and can “get a bit lost in the shuffle” this time of year as Steve Griffin notes over at Outdoor News. Still, a half-nightcrawler drifted on a jighead will draw bites, especially at calmer pockets in Monroe Harbor.
Today’s hotspots:
- **Montrose Harbor**: smallie action on rocks and inside the harbor for late-run kings.
- **31st Street Breakwall**: perch for patient anglers mid-morning and smallmouth tight to structure.
Best baits right now:
- **Ned rig** in goby or green pumpkin
- **Tube jig** or creature bait for bass
- **Emerald shiner or minnow-tipped jig** for perch
- **Spoon or crankbait** at first and last light for salmon and steelhead
Before you head out, check your gear, keep an eye on boat traffic, and please fish responsibly. Thanks for tuning in to the Lake Michigan fishing report—subscribe for daily updates, right here with Artificial Lure.
This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
This episode includes AI-generated content.
Sunrise opened at 6:43 AM, and sunset’s clocking out at 6:40 PM. The lake’s settling under a bluebird sky, with highs tapping out around 79 degrees and cooler breezes drifting in near the water, according to ABC7 Chicago’s forecast. Expect a classic early fall pattern—cool to start, warming rapidly, light jacket in the morning, t-shirt weather by lunch.
Winds push in from the northeast at 10–15 knots this morning, laying down to 5–10 knots by night. Waves are riding 2–4 feet early but will be taming to 1–3 feet this afternoon, making for pleasant conditions along the Chicago shore and out farther into the blue. Water temp around Indiana Harbor and Michigan City is holding firm near 55°F, so waders and boaters, layer up if you’re wet-wading.
This time of year, fish know change is coming. Reports up and down the southern basin show smallmouth bass are hot right now, with most success coming on soft plastics—Ned rigs, tube jigs, and swimbaits fished slow over rock piles, breakwalls, and transitions from 6 to 15 feet. Michiana Outdoors News said recent smallmouth tournaments near the Michigan line saw five-pounders weighed in, best catches on Ned rigs, A-rigs, and drop-shot set-ups. That pattern stretches into Chicagoland—plug a green pumpkin or goby-colored Ned rig tight to rocks at Montrose or Burnham Harbor and hang on.
Chinook salmon and steelhead are pushing toward the harbors, chasing cooler temps and river mouths. Early risers tossing spoons and crankbaits at dawn reported a few hookups, especially around Diversey and Jackson harbors. Set your drag light and bring a net—these fish run hot.
Perch bite is spotty but worth a shot along Navy Pier and the breakwalls off 31st Street. Classic presentations—small jigs tipped with minnows or soft plastics—are stealing more fish than flashy rigs. Best window is mid-morning, and don’t overlook casting a slip bobber rig near the bottom.
Largemouth are sliding back into the weeds and marinas. A slow-rolled chatterbait or a Texas-rigged creature bait will get bit, especially late afternoon as sun angles down.
Other panfish—like bluegills—are moving deeper, and can “get a bit lost in the shuffle” this time of year as Steve Griffin notes over at Outdoor News. Still, a half-nightcrawler drifted on a jighead will draw bites, especially at calmer pockets in Monroe Harbor.
Today’s hotspots:
- **Montrose Harbor**: smallie action on rocks and inside the harbor for late-run kings.
- **31st Street Breakwall**: perch for patient anglers mid-morning and smallmouth tight to structure.
Best baits right now:
- **Ned rig** in goby or green pumpkin
- **Tube jig** or creature bait for bass
- **Emerald shiner or minnow-tipped jig** for perch
- **Spoon or crankbait** at first and last light for salmon and steelhead
Before you head out, check your gear, keep an eye on boat traffic, and please fish responsibly. Thanks for tuning in to the Lake Michigan fishing report—subscribe for daily updates, right here with Artificial Lure.
This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
This episode includes AI-generated content.