Alright folks, here's the scoop on Lake Michigan fishing around Chicago for today, March 14, 2025.

First off, let's talk weather. We're looking at partly cloudy skies with a high of 48°F and a low of 37°F. Winds are coming in from the southwest at about 10-15 mph. Sunrise was at 6:05 AM and sunset will be at 6:58 PM, so we've got plenty of daylight to work with.

Now, Lake Michigan doesn't have traditional tides, but we do see some minor water level fluctuations. Today, we're expecting a slight rise of about 2 inches in the afternoon.

Fish activity has been picking up with the warmer weather. Coho salmon are starting to show up in good numbers, especially near the shoreline. Anglers have been having luck with brown trout as well, and there are reports of some early season perch action.

Last week, we saw some decent catches. One lucky angler pulled in a 12-pound coho near Montrose Harbor, and there were several reports of 5-8 pound brown trout being caught along the lakefront.

For lures, you can't go wrong with small spoons like Little Cleos or KO Wobblers in silver and blue. Crankbaits like Rapala Husky Jerks or Bomber Long As are also producing. If you're after perch, try soft plastics like tube jigs or Berkley Gulp minnows.

Bait-wise, spawn sacs are always a good bet for salmon and trout. Nightcrawlers and minnows are working well for perch.

As for hot spots, Montrose Harbor has been on fire lately. The rocks near Belmont Harbor are also worth checking out. If you're willing to drive a bit, the power plant discharge in Waukegan has been producing some nice catches.

Remember, folks, the new fishing license season starts April 1st, so make sure you're up to date. Tight lines and good luck out there!

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI