SPOT, RATE, QUICK HIT
Lake Michigan (Chicago)
***
Perch activity remains strong while silver bass biting on softshell crabs. Offshore, salmon and lake trout biting in 90 to 110 feet of water.
Lake Michigan (Northwest Indiana)
** 1/2
Good smallmouth bass activity at shorelines, with bass averaging around 14-16 inches and biting on a variety of lures, including tube jigs, smaller spinnerbaits and deep-diving crankbaits. Inland Steel Wall reported to be yellow perch hot spot in depths of up to 34 feet. No trout off Michigan City pier, but good activity in tributaries on floating shrimp and spawn bags.
Lake Michigan (Lake County)
***
Perch hitting for both shoreline anglers and boaters on softshell crabs, crabtails and minnows. For boaters, best action in about 50 feet of water. Salmon out in deeper waters (110-140 feet) on spoons and dodgers.
Southeast Wisconsin
** 1/2
Shore fishing generally slow in Kenosha, but trollers catching decent numbers of chinooks and rainbows in 60 to 80 feet of water or out over 100 feet. Similar conditions near Racine. Near Milwaukee, slow salmon and trout fishing near shore, but perch anglers have had some success off McKinley and Cupertino piers. Trollers getting good numbers of chinooks and a few rainbows in up top 80-foot depths.
Chain O’Lakes
***
Water levels relatively high with heavy rains this week, leading to closure of lower river portions on Wednesday. Upper river is a no-wake zone. Fishing conditions, however, much the same as in recent weeks with excellent catfish prospects, while bass and bluegills also active.
Kankakee River
***
In Indiana, crappies good at bayou mouths, drifts and in-water logs on minnows, redworms and beetle spins. Largemouth active at shoreline along 10 Mile Road. In Illinois, catfish good in Momence, Aroma Park, Kankakee State Park and WIlmington areas. Good baits include minnows, cheese baits, crawfish and chicken liver.
Fox River (Batavia)
**
Heavy rains in McHenry County this week have lifted water levels and currents, with best prospects closer to shore or at breakwalls as fish seek to escape fast current. Good catches of smallmouth bass reported.
Busse Lake
*
Largemouth bass reported spotty with catches averaging 1 to 2 pounds. Walleye and northern pike poor.
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Compiled by Jack McCarthy from pro and bait shops and state natural resource reports.
