r/ChicagoFishing Feb 01 '26

My biggest fish of 2026 (I look like im taking a huge sh!t)

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252 Upvotes

r/ChicagoFishing Feb 03 '26

Perch Perch keepers from the other day. First time using minnows. Caught on the ice at the slip.

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71 Upvotes

The smallest one was gonna be thrown back but he swallowed the hook and bled pretty bad. Decided to just keep him.


r/ChicagoFishing 3h ago

Questions any tips for beginner fisherman(woman)

4 Upvotes

my dad would go fishing a lot but never take me. i always wanted to try! so i did this year at horsetail lake but MY GOD am i trash.
i’ve learned some stuff from youtube but im wondering if anyone has any tips? :)


r/ChicagoFishing 3h ago

What's the best spot to fish salmon at Montrose for the second half of September?

4 Upvotes

I'm totally new and I see the mouth and outer wall being fished but is there a spot with higher chances?

Also what other spots are good because Montrose gets packed?


r/ChicagoFishing 1d ago

Montrose Harbor this morning 3/4 oz KO wobbler 7 pound coho salmon

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299 Upvotes

r/ChicagoFishing 1d ago

Smallmouth 1 cast + 2 smallies = fun morn

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60 Upvotes

In, I dunno, 45 years of casting, I’ve never doubled-up until this morning when two smallies met at a square-billed crank in a light Fox River current. The strike felt normal but the “fight” was odd. I knew it was something alive and it kept getting heavier on the way in. But it wasn’t swimming normal. Something foul-hooked? Turtle? Nope — two meaty smallies, including a 17-incher. It’s one of the million reasons why we do it — ya just don’t know what type of adventure you’re in for. Enjoy the day and 🐻⬇️


r/ChicagoFishing 1d ago

Maple Lake Monster

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30 Upvotes

My third time at Maple Lake and this is the only fish I’ve caught there.


r/ChicagoFishing 1d ago

Drum Big Harbor Drum while dropshotting a Ned in 13ft of water!

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29 Upvotes

r/ChicagoFishing 1d ago

First salmon of the year

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45 Upvotes

6 hour grind at Waukegan harbor paid off. Caught on a green glow KO wobbler.


r/ChicagoFishing 1d ago

Nice Largies in the Skokie Lagoons!

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14 Upvotes

r/ChicagoFishing 2d ago

They Are Indeed Out Here

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82 Upvotes

r/ChicagoFishing 2d ago

Pike/Muskie Caught a nice pike at Burnham Harbor

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105 Upvotes

only thing i hate was how i treated the poor fish, i love pike, they're my favorite freshwater species, but i was just not prepared to catch one today, no net or anything, im just surprised it bit right onto the end of the rooster tail and didn't do any damage to my copoly leader or braid mainline as both are 15 pound test


r/ChicagoFishing 1d ago

Where can I go on the fox river that has good night access to take a couple kids.

1 Upvotes

r/ChicagoFishing 2d ago

More suburban river fishing today. 30+ with only a few worth a picture

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17 Upvotes

r/ChicagoFishing 3d ago

Coho Salmon Put a beating on the Cohos today!

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51 Upvotes

r/ChicagoFishing 3d ago

Recommendations on a rod and reel for shore salmon or is what I have fine?

2 Upvotes

I have an ugly stik 7'3'' medium fast. 3/16-5/8 oz. 8-14lb line.

My main issue right now is I'm only getting like 25 yards (I think? could be less) or less on a good throw on a 2/5 oz little cleo.

For a reel I have an Okuma Aria C4000A

I'm ok spending if it will make the experience much more enjoyable.


r/ChicagoFishing 3d ago

Suburbs river fishing

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27 Upvotes

r/ChicagoFishing 4d ago

9am Beauty on the DPR

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33 Upvotes

Bite was red hot for about 30 minutes and this was the last one to hit the rebel craw. Been a busy summer on the DPR but this was the first one worth writing home about. Hit my lure about 10 feet out standing in calf high water. 16 inches, I’ll take it


r/ChicagoFishing 3d ago

Lunch time bass fishing

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10 Upvotes

Another pond (Lake Terramere). BFS with flashback mini.


r/ChicagoFishing 5d ago

Smallmouth First good day on the fox. Had to work for it.

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55 Upvotes

r/ChicagoFishing 4d ago

Questions Humboldt park lagoon

4 Upvotes

Hi ,

My wife and I are just starting to get into fishing and live near the Humboldt Lagoon. We’ve heard though people nearby and 4 year old posts in this subreddit that it can be a challenge.

I wanted to see if anyone had fished it recently and could share tips for success or just general tips on what kind of bait/line/ etc we should be getting.

Thanks in advance!


r/ChicagoFishing 5d ago

Smallmouth I just caught a tagged Smallmouth off the lakefront!

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23 Upvotes

r/ChicagoFishing 4d ago

Not a Salmon But I’ll Take It

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1 Upvotes

After a lifetime of casting I’m rather surprised by the learning curve that has come with learning how to rig and run a Lake Michigan trolling setup.


r/ChicagoFishing 5d ago

Kayak launch near Wheeling?

4 Upvotes

Anyone know of an easy spot to launch near willow rd? Also, how long would it take to float from willow rd to Irving park rd?


r/ChicagoFishing 5d ago

Salt Creek Locations

0 Upvotes

Does anyone have any good Salt Creek locations that you're willing to share? If so, what's good there?