Episode Details
Back to Episodes
Lake Michigan Fishing Report: Perch, Smelt, and Smallies in the Cold
Published 2 months, 3 weeks ago
Description
Hey folks, Artificial Lure here, your go-to guy for anglin' on Lake Michigan out of Chicago. It's Sunday morning, February 8th, and we're bundled up tight with temps hoverin' around 31 degrees today after last night's dip to 19. Fox 32 Chicago says we're seein' light flurries possible but minimal accumulation, east winds at 7 mph pushin' wind chills into the teens—stay warm out there. National Weather Service marine forecast calls for southeast winds 10-20 knots offshore, waves 5-8 feet occasionally to 10, so shore anglers watch for that chop, and ice cover's over 50% near Chicago per NOAA CoastWatch, makin' open water tricky but fishable in spots.
Sunrise was at 7:02 AM, sunset 5:17 PM—prime daylight for winter bites. No tides on the big lake, but water levels steady with that ice slowin' things down. Fish activity's solid despite the cold; recent reports from Lake Michigan Chicago Fishing Report podcasts note perch and smelt stackin' up near shore, with smallmouth bass keyin' on structure under ice edges. Anglers pulled limits of 8-10 inch perch yesterday, plus a few walleye to 5 pounds and coho in 20-40 feet. PFAS levels droppin' in Lake Michigan fish too, per recent studies—good news for eatin' your catch.
For lures, go with a 4.25-inch Big Bite Baits Spotlight Minnow in blue gizzard on a 3/16-ounce jighead with 2/0 hook, like pro Jonathon VanDam swears by for big water smallies. Jiggin' spoons or tip-up minnows for perch. Best bait? Live fathead minnows or emerald shiners—hook 'em light in the tail for driftin'. Drop 'em slow near breakwalls.
Hot spots today: Navy Pier gaps for perch through the ice, and Montrose Harbor breakwater for smallies if you punch through—bundle up and drill safe. 31st Street Harbor's another gem for smelt runs.
Thanks for tunin' in, folks—subscribe for daily updates! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
Sunrise was at 7:02 AM, sunset 5:17 PM—prime daylight for winter bites. No tides on the big lake, but water levels steady with that ice slowin' things down. Fish activity's solid despite the cold; recent reports from Lake Michigan Chicago Fishing Report podcasts note perch and smelt stackin' up near shore, with smallmouth bass keyin' on structure under ice edges. Anglers pulled limits of 8-10 inch perch yesterday, plus a few walleye to 5 pounds and coho in 20-40 feet. PFAS levels droppin' in Lake Michigan fish too, per recent studies—good news for eatin' your catch.
For lures, go with a 4.25-inch Big Bite Baits Spotlight Minnow in blue gizzard on a 3/16-ounce jighead with 2/0 hook, like pro Jonathon VanDam swears by for big water smallies. Jiggin' spoons or tip-up minnows for perch. Best bait? Live fathead minnows or emerald shiners—hook 'em light in the tail for driftin'. Drop 'em slow near breakwalls.
Hot spots today: Navy Pier gaps for perch through the ice, and Montrose Harbor breakwater for smallies if you punch through—bundle up and drill safe. 31st Street Harbor's another gem for smelt runs.
Thanks for tunin' in, folks—subscribe for daily updates! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI