Lake Michigan
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Lake Michigan Fishing Reports
Stay up to date with the latest fishing reports from Lake Michigan. Reports are submitted by local anglers, fishing guides, and our team of fishing experts.
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- Species
Smallmouth BassTechniqueDrop ShotSeasonFallStructureRock PileMid Ocotober, water temps in the low to mid 50’s the smallies were stacked up on rocks surrounding a man made pier. The waves on Lake Michigan create current and the smallies would sit around and behind these large boulders. Pitching dropshots with a 3/8 ounce weight and holding it still for 10-15 seconds seemed to be the most productive way to catch them. We also caught a handful of fish on Howies tackle tubes casting horizontally with the pier and dragging it. Seaguar smackdown braid in 8 and 10 pound test in the flash color allowed me to see where my line was at all times and the InvizX leader kept it stealthy while giving great abrasion resistance around the zebra muscles.
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueTubesSeasonSummerStructureBoulders
Late July was pretty tough in the way of finding larger smallmouth. We caught a lot of smallmouth on Ned rigs and dropshots, although most were one pound or less besides a couple 1.5 pounders. We were able to pull up two nice smallmouth over 2.5 pounds dragging tubes DEEP. I’m talking 20-30 feet of water dredging the bottom. Tubes were custom goby colors close to green pumpkin.
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueDrop ShotSeasonFallStructureBoulders
Had an awesome day dropping on fish to end the season. Used graphs to scan for structure. After structure was located we would spot lock and drop on the fish using a 3/8 oz weight, size 1 or 2 Owner Mosquito and the Venture Lures dropper worm or the Berkley Flat worm. Also caught a handful of fish using the Dropper worm rigged on a Ned rig. Water temps in the low 40 degree range
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueUmbrella RigsSeasonWinterStructurePoints
Air temps 43 and water temps at 40. Tough day trying to bank fish. Blue bird skies with a light breeze.. tried the harbors around the dock pilings with blade baits off bottom and flip/flopping a trap off the bottom. Jerkbaits for suspending fish and umbrella rigs used more as search bait. Target mouth of harbor too since Lake Michigan-Chicago is so deep. Threw a hair jig slowly.
Species
Lake TroutTechniqueTrolling Deep (20'+)SeasonSummerStructureOpen Water/BasinCaught deep trolling with a spoon. Troll way down near the bottom on a summer day and you’ll be glad you did!
- Species
TroutTechniqueInline SpinnersSeasonWinterStructureBouldersWent out for steel head and caught a nice female brown trout on a spawn sack. I use inline spinners as well. Inline spinners do well for steel head as coho Salmon in Lake Michigan
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueHard JerkbaitsSeasonWinterStructureBaitfish
Bank fishing so targeting inlets to harbor and edge of flats to deep water
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueSoft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)SeasonWinterStructurePilings
With this looking like the last week of nice weather in Chicago before it really gets cold I had to get out. Fishing is already slow, but knowing they’re fattening up on baitfish, I threw a cold weather staple in a shad-like color as a last resort. Picture doesn’t do it justice, but this one was a FATTY. Had some shoulders on it. Hoping I can find more this week before fishing shuts down next week.
