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 ShotSeasonSummerStructureDocksI saw him 15-20ft down, and when I dropped it infront of him, he bit it.
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueTubesSeasonSummerStructureHumps
Lake Michigan in the Greater Chicago area is full on Summer now. Water temps in the harbors and inlets are 70+ depending on the size of the harbor. Only seeing an occasional roamer. Catching the occasional smallmouth from the bank, but fishing main lake is difficult with the wind/waves.
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueHard Topwater (Popping)SeasonSummerStructureSubmerged Vegetation
Post spawn fish cruising large flats. Areas of grass growth provided ample cover for schools of smallmouth to sit in ambush. Overcast conditions kept the topwater bite on all morning. Because of the overcast conditions the fish stayed suspended just above the grass looking up.
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueDrop ShotSeasonSummerStructureRock Pile
Fish were scattered on flats as the pushed deeper after the spawn. Smallmouth would pull up on rock piles to target goby. Picking apart these rock piles was the key getting active fish to eat.
SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueNeko RigsSeasonSummerStructurePilingsI knew there’s some spots around Chicago seawalls and harbors holding fish, but I’ve been on a mean streak of catching little dinks. The Neko Rig also gives me some better size results when it’s hot and those seem to only bite on a dropshot. The light melon color CAME THRU with some somewhat clear water and caught me some FAT smallies that day. Mission accomplished!
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueHard Topwater (Popping)SeasonSummerStructureBoulders
It was a great day to be a patriot! This 4th of July in Chicago the lake was glass calm in the morning, allowing me to fish some topwater. Caught two smallies on this popmax that was perfect for the occasion, and then a couple more on the crankbait listed. GREAT ‘Murica Day!
Cschro9126Bronze AmbassadorSpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueDrop ShotSeasonSummerStructureBouldersTook the day off work to do a little fishing on the south end of the lake in Indiana. There were still some fish on beds even this late in the year but those were very skittish. Caught between 30 and 40 mostly post spawn fish. The bait to be using was definitely a flatnose minnow in the green pumpkin color. Did catch a couple on the small profile stealth invader and a 3.75" tube.
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueNed RigsSeasonSummerStructureRiver Channels
Didn't get the boat out Sunday morning but got out to check out a few of my old shore fishing river spots on the Sheboygan River. First spot of the day was hot as I had 2 pike very early in the trip, and then got 3 smallies on back to back to back casts. Biggest one (pictured below) went about 16 inches! forgot how fun it was to fight these chunks in current. casting upstream and letting it fall downstream while slowly reeling along/just above the bottom produced best.
