Montrose Harbor Fishing
A Lake Michigan harbor in Cook County on the IDNR harbor maps.
Pick for catfishPiscifun LumiCat II catfish rod48% OFFSale $114.99 Photo: Alaina McDavid, CC BY-SA 2.0
The basics of fishing Montrose Harbor
Among the Illinois harbors IDNR charts is Montrose Harbor, in Cook County. Bank anglers should follow the red edge on the IDNR map.
There is no IDNR marina entry; 2 launches are mapped.
IDNR Lake Michigan fishing page and Lake Michigan entry of the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026. Point: USGS GNIS Bay feature 413756 (Montrose Harbor).
The marina at Montrose Harbor
Launch lanes on Montrose Harbor
- Lake Michigan Montrose Beach Canoe/Kayak LaunchBeach launch
- Lake Michigan Montrose Harbor Canoe/Kayak Launchlaunch
These lines repeat the IDNR entry for Montrose Harbor.
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.
Shoals and stocked lagoons around Montrose Harbor
- Oakland ShoalBar, 10 miles
- Morgan ShoalBar, 11 miles
- Hyde Park ShoalsBar, 11 miles
- Clemson ShoalBar, 12 miles
Park lagoons off Montrose Harbor
- 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)
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.
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| 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 |
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.
Near Montrose Harbor
Harbors along the shore from Montrose Harbor
- Belmont Harbor1 mile
- Diversey Harbor2 miles
- Burnham Harbor7 miles
- Jackson Park Harbor13 miles
- Calumet Harbor18 miles
Backup launches if the Montrose Harbor lot is full
- Lake Michigan Gillson Park Canoe/Kayak Launch8 miles
Stores with hooks and line around Montrose Harbor
- Montrose Harbor Officemarina, Chicago, under a mile
- Park Bait Cobait and tackle shop, Chicago, under a mile
- Belmont Harbormarina, Chicago, 1 mile
- Dick's Sporting Goods Chicago, 1538 N. Clybourn Avenuesporting goods store, Chicago, 4 miles
- Chicago Fly Fishing Outfittersfly shop, Chicago, 4 miles
Free loaner rods within reach of Montrose Harbor
- Uptown Branch – Chicago Public LibraryChicago, under a mile
- West Ridge Nature ParkChicago, 3 miles
- Rogers Park Branch – Chicago Public LibraryChicago, 4 miles
- Albany Park Branch – Chicago Public LibraryChicago, 4 miles
Each county Montrose Harbor touches, with links
- Cook County
- Lake Michigan
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Piscifun reels to stow in the truck for Montrose Harbor
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Prairie lakes and river bottoms near Montrose Harbor, photographed
Photo: edward stojakovic, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Christian Collins, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: D.L, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: bradhoc, CC BY 2.0
Before the tackle box goes in the car for Montrose Harbor
Where is bank fishing allowed at Montrose Harbor?
Public shore fishing is the red edge on the IDNR map.
How many lanes does the IDNR list give Montrose Harbor?
There is no IDNR marina entry; 2 launches are mapped.
Can a visitor fish Montrose Harbor?
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 season open at Montrose Harbor?
Yellow perch are closed May 1 through June 15 in Illinois waters of Lake Michigan, with a 15 fish daily limit the rest of the year.
Is there a bass size limit at Montrose Harbor?
Trout and salmon combined: 5 a day with a 10-inch minimum, lake trout 2; black bass 1 a day at 21 inches or longer; lake whitefish 12; every device must be attended.
Are there shoals near Montrose Harbor?
Oakland Shoal lies roughly 10 miles out.
What is the next harbor from Montrose Harbor?
Belmont Harbor lies around 1 mile from here.
Which counter near Montrose Harbor keeps a minnow tank?
Montrose Harbor Office, under a mile away, is first on our list.
Walk the wall at Montrose Harbor
Check the perch season before you go.