SPOT, RATE, QUICK HIT
Lake Michigan (Chicago lakefront)
***
Salmon improving in harbors, especially at mouths. Burnham, Belmont and Montrose harbors most active, with best action on spoons and plugs in lower light conditions early in the morning or in the evening.
Lake Michigan (Northwest Indiana)
***
Good numbers of chinook reported out of East Chicago, Portage and Michigan City marinas along with some coho, steelhead and even a few brown trout. Anglers working at 40- to 60-foot depths.
Lake Michigan (Lake County)
** 1/2
Shore action strong, with good-sized salmon reported along with brown trout and a few steelhead on spoons and a little bit of bait. Open-water fishing tougher, with best prospects in afternoon or early evening in shallow water (40 to 60 feet). Perch moving out.
Southeast Wisconsin
** 1/2
Sunrise has been most productive for Kenosha shoreline anglers, with some chinook and browns reported near the mouth of the Root River. Near Racine, browns, chinook and coho are being caught off piers. Trollers picking up chinook and some browns around the Root River harbor mouth on spoons and J-plugs. Milwaukee shore fishing improving as colder water moves in. Coho biting on crankbaits at McKinley pier while trolling has slowed.
Chain O’Lakes
** 1/2
Water levels down considerably; rivers remain closed to boaters. Best action is close to shore as fish stay out of currents. Stripers, bluegills and crappies most active. Walleye reported in deeper water or near bridges on live bait. Some bass catches reported in early morning. Northern and muskie starting to pick up and will improve with cooler temperatures.
Kankakee River
***
Smallmouth bass good in Illinois and Indiana along shorelines, rock bars and water logs on a variety of baits. Pike improving around water logs, piers, creek and ditch mouths. Catfish good throughout the system on cheesebait, chicken livers and minnows. Rock bass still good and a few walleye reported.
Fox River (Batavia)
** 1/2
Water level expected to return to near normal depths by weekend. Fish should edge away from shorelines as current eases back into normal late-summer pattern. Catfish, smallmouth and walleye best bets.
———-
Compiled by Jack McCarthy from pro and bait shops and state natural resource reports.
