Lake Michigan (Chicago lakefront)
** 1/2
Perch action has slowed a bit, but still moderately busy close to shore and biting on crawfish. Salmon are biting in 75- to 125-feet of water.
Lake Michigan (Lake County)
***
Perch fishing reported very good from shorelines, including Government Pier and the recently reopened South Rocks areas, biting on minnows, soft shell crabs and large fatheads off bottoms. A few kings and browns also reported. Boat anglers having best success hugging shorelines and fishing bottoms. Spotty salmon reported in 60- to 90-feet working east-southeast of Waukegan.
Lake Michigan (Northwest Indiana)
***
Yellow perch action has picked up in southern lake areas, with good catches near Hammond, East Chicago, Portage and Michigan City. Shore anglers working off a platform in East Chicago reported a good number of perch, averaging between 9- to 11-inches. Some coho action reported in 23- to 35-foot depths near Inland Steel Wall in East Chicago as well as north to northeast of Michigan City lighthouse. Spoons and dodger and fly combinations have worked best.
Southeast Wisconsin
* 1/2
Shore fishing remains slow from state line through Milwaukee. Trollers near Kenosha finding scattered coho and a few chinooks in 40- to 100-feet of water on spoons and dodger and fly combinations. Near Racine, trollers have had to work harder, with scattered chinooks, coho and a few lake trout in 50- to 150-feet.
Chain O’Lakes
1/2
Entire system is closed to all watercraft due to high waters and flooding, with more rain predicted for Friday and Saturday. Shoreline anglers are having some success with walleyes, but accessibility is very limited.
Kankakee River
** 1/2
River is clearing and water levels are receding. Pike good in bayous, shorelines and creek mouths in Illinois and Indiana on large minnows. Smallmouth bass good on minnows, crank baits, spinners, fly rod spinners and popping bugs. Catfish, crappies and rock bass also good.
Fox River (Batavia)
* 1/2
Water levels are high and current is brisk at 6,000 cubic feet per second on Wednesday, so best bet is to find a quiet cove or eddy. Away from currents, anglers finding good size catfish, a lot of smallmouth and largemouth bass and even a few walleye.
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Compiled by Jack McCarthy from pro and bait shops and from state natural resource reports.
EDITED BY THOMAS L. OUTLAW AND DANIEL ELLMAN
