This is Artificial Lure with your Lake Michigan, Chicago fishing report.
We’re locked into classic winter shoreline mode on the big pond. The National Weather Service marine forecast is running a gale warning up and down the southwest corner of the lake, with west to northwest winds pushing 30 to 40 knots and open‑lake waves in the 10‑to‑14‑foot range offshore. Closer to the Chicago lakefront you’re still looking at a heavy chop and dangerous spray, so this is a **shore‑only or stay‑in‑the‑harbor** kind of day.
According to the Chicago forecast from ABC7, air temps are hovering in the 30s with a damp feel, scattered flurries or sprinkles, and wind chills dropping into the 20s. Sunrise is right around 7:15 a.m., sunset a little after 4:20 p.m., so your prime light windows are that first hour after sunrise and the last 60–90 minutes before dark.
Lake Michigan isn’t tidal like the ocean, but we do get seiche swings and wind‑driven water levels. With strong westerlies stacking water on the east side of the lake, the Chicago shoreline will fish a bit “low,” pulling bait and gamefish tight to structure and inside harbors where they can get a break from the rollers.
Recent shore reports around Chicago’s harbors and the south end, shared on local boards like The South End and various lakefront Facebook groups, have been showing:
- **Brown trout** and the odd **steelhead** off harbor walls and inside slips.
- A few **lake trout** cruising close, especially on deeper outside walls when the lake lays down.
- Light but steady **perch** action in protected corners when you can find cleaner water and small pods of fish.
Counts haven’t been crazy – think ones and twos, maybe a half‑dozen browns for someone grinding all morning – but the quality has been solid, with browns in the 4–8 lb class and some bigger lake trout showing after dark.
Best producers right now:
- **Lures:**
- Size 3–4 silver/blue or gold **Little Cleos** and other spoons slow‑rolled near bottom.
- White or alewife‑pattern **swim jigs** and 3–4" paddletails on 1/4–3/8 oz heads along harbor walls.
- Bright orange or chartreuse **spawn sacs** under a float for trout, drifted parallel to the wall.
- **Baits:**
- Fresh or salted **golden roaches**, fatheads, and shiners on a simple slip rig.
- **Waxies** or spikes on tiny jigs for perch when they slide in.
- Steelhead and browns are still loving cured **salmon or trout eggs** in small net bags.
Downsize line – 6–10 lb fluoro leaders – and fish slow. Water is cold, fish are lazy, and most bites have been that soft “heavier weight” feel rather than a slam.
A couple of local hot spots to key on:
- **Burnham and Monroe Harbors:** Work the inner walls, corners, and any slightly darker, deeper pockets. On calmer days, casting spoons off the outer wall toward the lake can turn up browns and the occasional laker.
- **Diversey and Montrose Harbors:** Classic winter shore‑trout territory. Focus on the bridges, channel neck‑downs, and spots where current or wind funnels bait. Nighttime slip‑bobber rigs with live bait or spawn can be deadly here.
If the lake ever gives you a short weather window, the north‑side reefs and crib edges would be prime for lake trout with big blades and white tubes, but with the ongoing gales, plan on staying inside the rocks and dressing for freezing spray.
That’s your Lake Michigan, Chicago rundown from Artificial Lure. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss tomorrow’s update.
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