Lake Michigan Fishing in Illinois
The Illinois shore from Winthrop Harbor to Calumet Park: 11 harbors, 10 marinas and 11 stocked lagoons.
Pick for salmonPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo: Charles Fulton, CC BY 2.0
Sizing up Lake Michigan
IDNR writes that the Illinois shoreline stretches across both Lake and Cook counties from North Point Marina and Beach in the town of Winthrop Harbor to Calumet Park in Chicago. Note that the 976,640 acres IDNR shows describe the whole lake.
Salmon and trout need the Salmon Stamp here, and yellow perch close May 1 through June 15.
- IDNRLake Michigan is the second largest and second deepest of the North American Great Lakes. It is a cold, low-nutrient ecosystem that has undergone considerable alteration due to the introduction of an array of invasive species. The bottom substrates range from clay and sand to gravel, cobble, boulders and bedrock. Aquatic vegetation is nearly nonexistent in the open lake but prevalent in the numerous harbors spanning the Illinois coast which often contain warmwater fish assemblages including populations of bass, panfish, and bullheads.
IDNR Lake Michigan fishing page and Lake Michigan entry of the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026.
For the salmon herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 The IDNR outlook for Lake Michigan
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| Smallmouth Bass | Very Good | Electrofishing catch rate of stock size bass (greater than or equal to 7) was 35 – 49 fish per hour along the shoreline in Calumet Harbor during 2024 and 2025 – record highs since the early 2000s. Catch rate was also up at Waukegan Harbor during the last couple years (10.5 – 11 fish per hour). In 2025, fish ranged… |
| Largemouth Bass | Good | Electrofishing catch rates were up for Largemouth Bass in 2025. Jackson Harbor and North Point Marina were hot spots where catch rates of stock size bass (8 inches and longer) were 11 and 22 fish per hour. In 2025, fish ranged from 2.4 – 18.7 inches long and weighed up to 4.3 pounds. A good percentage (39%) of fish… |
| Lake Trout | Very Good | Lake Trout fishing continues to be very productive in the Illinois waters of Lake Michigan. The Lake Trout fishery has benefited from the increasing prevalence of wild-spawned fish supplementing the hatchery-stocked population. While 120,000 fingerlings continue to be stocked annually at Julian’s Reef, wild fish now… |
Survey notes are IDNR wording for the Illinois waters.
IDNR fishing outlook ratings and survey notes as printed on the IFishIllinois page, read November 4, 2026.
Breakwalls and harbors of Lake Michigan
- 59th Street HarborIDNR: shoreline highlighted with red in harbor maps delineates public bank fishing access
- Belmont HarborIDNR: shoreline highlighted with red in harbor maps delineates public bank fishing access
- Burnham HarborIDNR: shoreline highlighted with red in harbor maps delineates public bank fishing access
- Calumet HarborIDNR: shoreline highlighted with red in harbor maps delineates public bank fishing access
- Diversey HarborIDNR: shoreline highlighted with red in harbor maps delineates public bank fishing access
- DuSable HarborIDNR: shoreline highlighted with red in harbor maps delineates public bank fishing access
- Jackson Park Inner HarborIDNR: shoreline highlighted with red in harbor maps delineates public bank fishing access
- Jackson Park Outer HarborIDNR: shoreline highlighted with red in harbor maps delineates public bank fishing access
- Monroe HarborIDNR: shoreline highlighted with red in harbor maps delineates public bank fishing access
- Montrose HarborIDNR: shoreline highlighted with red in harbor maps delineates public bank fishing access
- Navy PierIDNR: shoreline highlighted with red in harbor maps delineates public bank fishing access
City lagoons close to Lake Michigan
- Auburn LagoonChannel Catfish (12,500+ fish) stocked by IDNR in June, July and August (IDNR Lake Michigan page)
- Columbus LagoonChannel Catfish (12,500+ fish) stocked by IDNR in June, July and August (IDNR Lake Michigan page)
- Douglas LagoonChannel Catfish (12,500+ fish) stocked by IDNR in June, July and August (IDNR Lake Michigan page)
- Garfield LagoonChannel Catfish (12,500+ fish) stocked by IDNR in June, July and August (IDNR Lake Michigan page)
- Gompers LagoonChannel Catfish (12,500+ fish) stocked by IDNR in June, July and August (IDNR Lake Michigan page)
- Humboldt LagoonChannel Catfish (12,500+ fish) stocked by IDNR in June, July and August (IDNR Lake Michigan page)
- Jackson Park lagoonsChannel Catfish (12,500+ fish) stocked by IDNR in June, July and August (IDNR Lake Michigan page)
- Marquette LagoonChannel Catfish (12,500+ fish) stocked by IDNR in June, July and August (IDNR Lake Michigan page)
- McKinley LagoonChannel Catfish (12,500+ fish) stocked by IDNR in June, July and August (IDNR Lake Michigan page)
- Sherman LagoonChannel Catfish (12,500+ fish) stocked by IDNR in June, July and August (IDNR Lake Michigan page)
- Washington LagoonChannel Catfish (12,500+ fish) stocked by IDNR in June, July and August (IDNR Lake Michigan page)
Offshore shoals named on Lake Michigan
- Clarke Point ShoalBar
- Clemson ShoalBar
- Hyde Park ShoalsBar
- Madison Park ShoalBar
- Morgan ShoalBar
- Oakland ShoalBar
- South Park ShoalBar
IDNR Lake Michigan fishing page and Lake Michigan entry of the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026. Shoals: USGS GNIS domestic names (Illinois stream points), read November 4, 2026.
Launches on Lake Michigan
| Marina (IDNR list) | Location, lanes, parking, phone |
|---|---|
| North Point Marina | 7th Street in Winthrop Harbor, IL, 10 launch lanes, 200 trailer spaces, (847) 746-2845 |
| The Port of Waukegan (Waukegan Harbor) | Harbor Place, Waukegan, IL, 4 launch lanes, 600 trailer spaces, (847) 244-3133 |
| Park Avenue Launch Ramp | Park Avenue in Highland Park, 1 launch lanes, 25 trailer spaces, (847) 831-3810 |
| Lloyd Park in Winnetka | Lloyd Place in Winnetka, 1 launch lanes, 63 trailer spaces, (847) 501-2040 |
| Evanston Launch Ramp | Church Street in Evanston, 2 launch lanes, 20 trailer spaces, (847) 448-4311 |
| Diversey Harbor in Lincoln Park | Diversey Parkway (2800 North), Chicago, 3 launch lanes, 60 trailer spaces, (312) 742-7762 |
| Burnham Harbor in Burnham Park and Northerly Island | 12th Street (1200 South), Chicago, 3 launch lanes, 37 trailer spaces, (312) 747-7009 |
| 31st Street Harbor | 3100 South, Chicago, 2 launch lanes, 12 trailer spaces, (312) 225-6464 |
| Jackson Harbor in Jackson Park | Hayes Drive (6300 South), Chicago, 2 launch lanes, 80 trailer spaces, (773) 288-7106 |
| Calumet Harbor | 95th Street, Calumet Park, Chicago, 3 launch lanes, 100 trailer spaces, (312) 742-8520 |
Launch points on Lake Michigan from the IDNR map
- Lake Michigan North Point Marina Canoe/Kayak LaunchBeach launch
- Lake Michigan Illinois Beach SP North Unit Canoe/Kayak LaunchBeach launch
- Lake Michigan Illinois Beach SP South Unit Canoe/Kayak LaunchBeach launch
- Lake Michigan Waukegan Harbor Boat RampFee required to launch
- Lake Michigan Waukegan Harbor Canoe/Kayak LaunchBeach launch
- Lake Michigan Sunrise Park Canoe/Kayak LaunchBeach launch; Fee required to launch
- Lake Michigan Park Avenue Boating Canoe/Kayak LaunchBeach launch; Fee required to launch
- Lake Michigan Highland Park Boat RampFee required to launch
- Lake Michigan Lloyd Park Canoe/Kayak LaunchBeach launch; Fee required to launch
- Lake Michigan Gillson Park Canoe/Kayak LaunchBeach launch; Boat sticker and parking fee required to launch
- Lake Michigan Northwestern Sailing Center Canoe/Kayak LaunchBeach launch; Fee required to launch
- Lake Michigan Greenwood Beach Canoe/Kayak LaunchBeach launch; Fee required to launch
- Lake Michigan Leone Beach Canoe/Kayak LaunchBeach launch
- Lake Michigan Tobey Prinz Beach Canoe/Kayak LaunchBeach launch
- Lake Michigan Hollywood Beach Canoe/Kayak LaunchBeach launch
- Lake Michigan Montrose Beach Canoe/Kayak LaunchBeach launch
- Lake Michigan Montrose Harbor Canoe/Kayak Launchlaunch
- Lake Michigan Diversey Harbor Canoe/Kayak Launchlaunch
- Lake Michigan Diversey Harbor Boat RampFee required to launch
- Lake Michigan North Avenue Beach Canoe/Kayak LaunchBeach launch
- Lake Michigan 12th Street Beach Canoe/Kayak LaunchBeach launch
- Lake Michigan Burnham Harbor Boat RampFee required to launch
- Lake Michigan 31st Street Beach Canoe/Kayak LaunchBeach launch
- Lake Michigan 31st Street Harbor Boat RampFee required to launch
- Lake Michigan 57th Street Beach Canoe/Kayak LaunchBeach launch
- Lake Michigan 63rd Street Beach Canoe/Kayak LaunchBeach launch
- Lake Michigan Jackson Inner Harbor Boat RampFee required to launch
- Lake Michigan Rainbow Beach Canoe/Kayak LaunchBeach launch
- Lake Michigan Calumet Beach Canoe/Kayak Launchlaunch
- Lake Michigan Calumet Harbor Boat RampFee required to launch
IDNR Lake Michigan fishing page and Lake Michigan entry of the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026. IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
The IDNR keep rules on Lake Michigan
| Species | Rule as printed |
|---|---|
| All Fish | All devices used for sport fishing on Lake Michigan must be attended at all times |
| Lake Trout | 2 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Lake Whitefish or Round Whitefish | 12 Fish Daily Harvest Limit, singly or in the aggregate |
| Large or Smallmouth Bass | 21 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Trout and Salmon | 10 inch Minimum Length Limit; 5 Fish Daily Harvest Limit, singly or in the aggregate, except for Lake Trout |
| Yellow Perch | 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit (6); Closed May 1 through June 15 |
- Yellow perch (code 6)The daily harvest limit for yellow perch shall not exceed 15 fish in the combined waters of Lake Michigan, Calumet River, and Chicago River including its North Branch, South Branch and the North Shore Channel.
- StampsLicensed Resident and Non-Resident anglers must have a Salmon Stamp to take salmon or trout in Lake Michigan and Inland Trout Stamp to take trout in Illinois waters other than Lake Michigan.
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026). The digest also requires the $6.50 Salmon Stamp to take salmon or trout in Lake Michigan.
IDNR Lake Michigan fishing page and Lake Michigan entry of the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026. IDNR license fees (ifishillinois.org), read November 4, 2026.
Inflow and outflow figures for Lake Michigan
NOAA station 9087044 (Calumet Harbor) read 578.556 ft above IGLD 1985 at 2026-11-04 14:30 local (LST/LDT). It is a single NOAA reading, not a feed.
| NWS gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Michigan at Calumet Harbor | 1.35 ft | – | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Lake Michigan at Chicago (Chicago Lock) | 0.1 ft | – | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:26:00 UTC |
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge readings (water.noaa.gov), read November 5, 2026; dated readings, not live (kcfs = thousand cubic feet per second).
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Michigan At Chicago Lock At Chicago, Il | 0.24 ft gage height | Nov 5 5:09 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 5, 2026 5:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
USGS instantaneous values, provisional.
NOAA Tides and Currents station 9087044 (Calumet Harbor), read November 4, 2026.
Fish IDNR stocked in Lake Michigan
| Year | Species as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Brown Trout | 105,744 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Chinook Salmon | 214,153 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Coho Salmon | 329,372 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 55,668 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Skamania Steelhead | 87,069 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Brown Trout | 119,196 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Chinook Salmon | 213,869 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Coho Salmon | 258,541 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 64,364 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Skamania Steelhead | 85,552 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Brown Trout | 126,578 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Chinook Salmon | 100,878 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Coho Salmon | 56,835 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Coho Salmon | 30,261 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 286,061 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 25,081 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026.
IDNR records from Lake Michigan
| Species | Weight | Division | Date | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Trout | 39 lbs 2.6 oz | hook and line | May 21, 2021 | Cook |
| Chinook Salmon | 37 lbs 0 oz | hook and line | August 7, 1976 | Lake |
| Brown Trout | 36 lbs 11.5 oz | hook and line | June 22, 1997 | Cook |
| Rainbow Trout | 31 lbs 6.72 oz | hook and line | July 10, 1993 | Lake |
| Coho Salmon | 20 lbs 9 oz | hook and line | May 24, 1972 | Lake |
| Atlantic Salmon | 18 lbs 11.25 oz | hook and line | May 26, 1979 | Cook |
| Burbot | 11 lbs 12.5 oz | hook and line | December 7, 2020 | Cook |
| Tiger Trout | 8 lbs 12.5 oz | hook and line | June 26, 1977 | Cook |
| Lake Whitefish | 8 lbs 4 oz | hook and line | June 29, 2018 | Cook |
| Brook Trout | 7 lbs 5 oz | hook and line | November 3, 1998 | Lake |
| Smallmouth Bass | 7 lbs 3 oz | hook and line | October 14, 2019 | Cook |
| Pink Salmon | 4 lbs 14.4 oz | hook and line | August 4, 2022 | Lake |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
An Illinois blacktop jaunt from Lake Michigan
Other Lake Michigan harbors near the Illinois shore
- Belmont HarborCook County
- Burnham HarborCook County
- Calumet HarborCook County
- Diversey HarborCook County
- Jackson Park HarborCook County
- Montrose HarborCook County
Guided outings that launch on Lake Michigan
- 1Fishin Buddiescharter, Chicago, (773) 233-8092
- Winthrop Harbor Sportsfishingcharter, Chicago, (773) 261-2646
- XIII Charterscharter, Chicago, (855) 734-9900
- Chicago Scenic Charterscharter, Downers Grove, (312) 899-6354
- The Fishing Cornercharter, Manteno, (815) 468-6577
- Bear King Fishingcharter, Waukegan, (855) 520-3747
- Booth Fishing Charterscharter, Waukegan, (847) 772-3215
- Diamond Ghost Charterscharter, Antioch, (847) 838-2037
- Jawzon Fishing Charterscharter, Waukegan, (847) 337-0584
- Kristy lynn charterscharter, Waukegan, (847) 553-7129
- Morning Star Fishing Charterscharter, Zion, (847) 746-8006
- Tma Sport Fishing Charterscharter, Waukegan, (847) 736-7150
Filling the bait bucket near Lake Michigan
- Dick's Sporting Goods Chicago, 1538 N. Clybourn Avenuesporting goods store, Chicago, 3 miles
- Chicago Fly Fishing Outfittersfly shop, Chicago, 3 miles
- Mystery Tackle Box Incbait and tackle shop, Chicago, 3 miles
- R & B Bait & Tackle Shopbait and tackle shop, Chicago, 4 miles
- Belmont Harbormarina, Chicago, 4 miles
- Canal Street Marinamarina, Chicago, 4 miles
County guides linked to Lake Michigan
- Lake County
- Cook County
Piscifun gear a Prairie State angler could stow for Lake Michigan
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Telling the Lake Michigan fish apart by photo
Photo: USFWS Midwest Region, Public domain
Photo: Rex Hammock, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: gailhampshire, CC BY 2.0
Photo: California Sea Grant, CC BY 2.0
Straight replies on Lake Michigan
What license covers Lake Michigan in Illinois?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026). The digest also requires the $6.50 Salmon Stamp to take salmon or trout in Lake Michigan.
Is perch fishing closed on Lake Michigan?
Yellow perch are closed May 1 through June 15 in the Illinois waters, and the daily limit is 15. The daily harvest limit for yellow perch shall not exceed 15 fish in the combined waters of Lake Michigan, Calumet River, and Chicago River including its North Branch, South Branch and the North Shore Channel.
Is there a size limit on Lake Michigan salmon?
Digest row for Lake Trout: 2 Fish Daily Harvest Limit. Trout and salmon combined: 5 a day with a 10-inch minimum; black bass: 1 a day, 21-inch minimum; lake whitefish: 12.
Where do shore anglers go on Lake Michigan?
There are 11 IDNR-mapped harbors, 59th Street Harbor through Navy Pier, with bank access shown in red.
Which Illinois marina ramps reach Lake Michigan?
IDNR lists North Point Marina with 10 lanes and 200 spaces.
Is Lake Michigan good for smallmouth?
IDNR rates Smallmouth Bass very good, Largemouth Bass good and Lake Trout very good.
Are there stocked ponds by Lake Michigan?
Auburn Lagoon is among 11 stocked lagoons.
Which station reads Lake Michigan at Chicago?
NOAA station 9087044 (Calumet Harbor) read 578.556 ft above IGLD 1985 at 2026-11-04 14:30 local (LST/LDT).
What is the biggest fish from Lake Michigan?
IDNR lists 12 records from it; the heaviest is Lake Trout at 39 lbs 2.6 oz.
Get on Lake Michigan from Chicago
Buy the license and the Salmon Stamp before your first harbor trip.