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Spring Coho Run Heats Up: Hammond to Portage Hotspots on Lake Michigan
Published 1 month ago
Description
Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to guy for anglin' on Lake Michigan right here around Chicago. It's March 25th, 2026, and we're lookin' at a crisp early spring day—temps hoverin' in the low 40s, light winds from the north at 5-10 knots accordin' to the National Weather Service marine forecast, perfect for gettin' out without freezin' your tail off. Sunrise hit around 5:59 AM, sunset's at 7:41 PM per tides4fishing charts, givin' us a solid 13+ hours of light. No real tides on the big lake, but today's got a high around 4:28 AM at 1.8m risin' to another at 4:50 PM, low at 10:43 AM—water's movin' steady, fish feelin' it.
Action's pickin' up as spring stirs the pot. Coho salmon are the stars this time of year, pushin' close to shore like they do in March per South Shore CVB reports—folks are haulin' in limits trollin' nearshore. Steelhead and early king runs mixin' in, with cohos and kings stocked heavy by Indiana DNR showin' fat trophies. Recent catches? DIY boaters from Hammond and Portage marinas reportin' 10-20 cohos per outing, some steelies up to 10 pounds, walleyes on the prowl too from Midwest Outdoors spring logs. Fish activity peaks at dawn and dusk, solunar tables show average bite with waxin' gibbous moon risin' early.
Best lures? Stick to standard crankbaits—vibrant colors like chartreuse or glow for cohos and steelhead, no fancy gear needed. Big spoons with rattles, like Silver Streak Rattle Streak, call 'em in loud when they're movin'. For bait, live minnows or alewives on jigs if you're driftin' breaks; crankbaits shine solo. Trolling slow at 2-2.5 mph over 20-40 feet.
Hot spots: Hit Hammond Marina or East Chicago for easy launch and nearshore coho—troll the breaks. Or trailer to Portage's Sammie Maletta Marina, head downriver to the lake for steelhead action.
Bundle up, check your ramps, and tight lines!
Thanks for tunin' in, folks—subscribe for more reports! 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
Action's pickin' up as spring stirs the pot. Coho salmon are the stars this time of year, pushin' close to shore like they do in March per South Shore CVB reports—folks are haulin' in limits trollin' nearshore. Steelhead and early king runs mixin' in, with cohos and kings stocked heavy by Indiana DNR showin' fat trophies. Recent catches? DIY boaters from Hammond and Portage marinas reportin' 10-20 cohos per outing, some steelies up to 10 pounds, walleyes on the prowl too from Midwest Outdoors spring logs. Fish activity peaks at dawn and dusk, solunar tables show average bite with waxin' gibbous moon risin' early.
Best lures? Stick to standard crankbaits—vibrant colors like chartreuse or glow for cohos and steelhead, no fancy gear needed. Big spoons with rattles, like Silver Streak Rattle Streak, call 'em in loud when they're movin'. For bait, live minnows or alewives on jigs if you're driftin' breaks; crankbaits shine solo. Trolling slow at 2-2.5 mph over 20-40 feet.
Hot spots: Hit Hammond Marina or East Chicago for easy launch and nearshore coho—troll the breaks. Or trailer to Portage's Sammie Maletta Marina, head downriver to the lake for steelhead action.
Bundle up, check your ramps, and tight lines!
Thanks for tunin' in, folks—subscribe for more reports! 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