As spring settles over the Midwest, anglers in the Chicago area are experiencing a surge of fishing activity both along the lakefront and inland. Coho salmon and smallmouth bass are leading the charge as warmer temperatures draw fish closer to the shore.
Jason Olinger recently shared a captivating photo of a large northern pike he caught while fishing with Jesse Granato off the coast of Chicago. The details of their catches can be found in the Lakefront report, showcasing the impressive size and health of the fish in the area.
In a related note, several bait shops are now offering parking passes for anglers. Park Bait, Bridgeport Bait and Tackle, and Fishtech in Morton Grove have begun selling Chicago Park District parking passes, which provide access to designated parking lots at DuSable and Burnham harbors for just $20 for a two-month period. For inquiries about the passes, anglers can reach out via email at [email protected].
North side of Navy Pier has officially opened for angling. Parking is available at a discounted rate of $9 daily, beginning at 5 a.m., provided that anglers depart by 10 a.m. For convenience, prepayment options for discounted tickets are available.
For those looking to learn more about lakefront parking options, a column detailing parking across the Chicago lakefront, published on November 30, 2022, is available online. The regulations surrounding smelt fishing were noted by Stacey Greene at Park Bait at Montrose Harbor, reminding anglers that the season runs through April 30. Nets are permitted in the parks starting at 7 p.m. and must be removed by 1 a.m.
Regarding local lakes, Dave Kranz from Dave’s Bait, Tackle and Taxidermy in Crystal Lake, alongside his YouTube channel, reported on various fishing activities. Ken “Husker” O’Malley from Husker Outdoors sent in enticing photos highlighting catches, while Rob Abouchar shared even more impressive hauls.
At Braidwood Lake, fishing is open daily from 6 a.m. to sunset. Those interested can click for a preview of the upcoming fishing column.
Moving to the Chain O’Lakes area, staff at Triangle Sports and Marine in Antioch reported great crappie activity along Petite and various channels. Bluegill fishing remains productive in the same channels, and catfish are biting well on a wide range of baits. Additionally, anglers are enjoying some solid bass fishing, while muskie and walleye are beginning to show activity as well.
Dave Kranz warned that water levels in the Chain are rising towards summer pool; anglers are advised to check for updates on water conditions available at foxwaterway.com or by calling (847) 587-8540.
For those heading to cooling lakes, Braidwood, Heidecke, and LaSalle are open daily from 6 a.m. to sunset. In Delavan Lake, Wisconsin, Arden Katz indicated that bluegill action is promising with white Jigabite jigs and spikes fished 12 inches under a float in the channels that are running around 46 degrees.
Downstate, Powerton operates daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., while Emiquon Preserve remains open from sunrise to sunset. It’s essential for individuals to renew access permits and liability waivers, which can be obtained from Dickson Mounts Museum during weekdays. Hennepin-Hopper is currently closed but is set to reopen May 1.
In the Green Lake area of Wisconsin, Mike Norris is offering guidance for anglers looking to find the best spots. Meanwhile, in Green and Sturgeon Bays, additional reports can be accessed via the Wisconsin DNR weekly report.
Heidecke Lake also remains open daily from 6 a.m. to sunset, while Shabbona Lake is adopting summer hours from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. until October 31. Boondock’s operates daily from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Pokanoka’s Dockside is set to reopen on April 21 with spring hours established throughout the week.
In northern Wisconsin, Kurt Justice from Kurt’s Island Sport Shop in Minocqua provided local insights into the fishing scene. In Northwest Indiana, Capt. Rich Sleziak at Slez’s Bait in Lake Station noted some exciting fishing opportunities.
On the Root River in Wisconsin, Wally Olson shared updates, and the Wisconsin DNR report is typically available on Tuesday or Wednesday for additional fishing information.
Southeast Wisconsin lakefront activity continues to flourish, with a comprehensive report accessible from the Wisconsin DNR. In Southwest Michigan, staff at Tackle Haven in Benton Harbor reported productive coho fishing off the pier over the weekend, as well as for boaters fishing 30-34 feet south of St. Joseph, where a few kings and steelhead have shown up at the Berrien Springs Dam.
As anglers gear up for a promising fishing season, locations like Lake Erie and Hennepin-Hopper offer more wonderful opportunities for catching various species.
Overall, the excitement and anticipation of spring fishing in the Midwest are palpable, and both novice and veteran anglers are urged to take advantage of the active fishing conditions along the lakefront and beyond.
image source from：https://chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/2025/04/15/chicago-fishing-lakefront-coho-and-smallmouth-go-with-widespread-spring-fishing-inland
