As June 2025 rolls in, Chicago’s fishing scene is alive with action, offering some of the best freshwater angling opportunities in the Midwest. Whether you’re casting from shore, kayak, or boat, the Windy City’s diverse fishery caters to anglers of all levels. This comprehensive report breaks down where the fish are biting, what techniques are producing results, and expert tips for landing trophy catches across Lake Michigan and inland waters.
🎣 Lake Michigan: Salmon and Trout Heating Up
Lake Michigan remains the crown jewel of the Chicago fishing landscape, and June brings prime fishing for coho salmon, lake trout, and steelhead.
Hot Zones
- Montrose Harbor: Coho salmon are stacking up near the breakwalls. Trollers and pier anglers alike are landing limits.
- Burnham Harbor: Steelhead and brown trout are being taken early morning on spoons.
- Diversy Harbor: Shore anglers report good action using spawn sacs under floats during low light hours.
Effective Techniques
- Trolling: Flasher-fly combos, dodgers with peanut flies, and thin spoons trolled at 2.2-2.8 mph between 20-40 feet are producing consistent salmon.
- Casting: Long-casting spoons like the Little Cleo and Krocodile in chartreuse and silver have been productive near harbor mouths.
- Bait: Alewives and spawn sacs continue to be killer natural bait options for pier and harbor anglers.
Pro Tip
Use UV-enhanced flashers during sunny conditions to increase your visibility deeper in the water column, especially when targeting lake trout.
🛶 Chicago River & Downtown Canals: Bass Bonanza
The Chicago River system and surrounding canals offer overlooked yet productive urban angling.
Species Report
- Largemouth and smallmouth bass are extremely active in June as water temperatures climb into the 60s and 70s.
- Crappie and bluegill are moving out of spawn beds and hanging around pilings and submerged structure.
Best Lures
- Ned rigs in green pumpkin and black-blue combinations are a go-to for finesse presentations.
- Topwater frogs and poppers are generating explosive hits during early morning and dusk.
- Live bait (nightcrawlers or minnows) drifted near bridge pilings is effective for panfish.
Top Access Points
- Riverwalk near Michigan Avenue
- Ping Tom Memorial Park
- North Avenue turning basin
🏞️ Forest Preserve Lakes: Family-Friendly Fishing & Variety
The Cook County Forest Preserve lakes are excellent for beginner anglers and families, with fully stocked ponds and clean facilities.
Busse Woods Reservoir (Elk Grove Village)
- Walleye and catfish are biting well on jig-and-minnow combos.
- Evening catfishing with stink bait and cut shad near the dam area has been very productive.
Skokie Lagoons
- Northern pike and largemouth bass are cruising weedy flats.
- Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits are excellent search lures to cover water quickly.
Maple Lake
- Crappie and bluegill action is hot around downed timber.
- Tiny tubes and waxworms under bobbers yield easy limits.
Pro Tip
June is the perfect month to target fish during early morning and late evening hours—feeding windows are longer and topwater strikes more frequent.
🌊 Shore Fishing Around the City: Best Summer Access
If you don’t have a boat, shore fishing in Chicago remains world-class. From Navy Pier to Jackson Park, multiple hotspots provide excellent access and opportunities.
Top Public Spots
- 31st Street Harbor: Perch, sheepshead, and smallmouth are all available from the pier.
- Northerly Island: Underrated for both bass and panfish.
- Calumet Park: Good mix of species including catfish and freshwater drum.
Best Gear for Shore Anglers
- Medium action rods with 3000-size spinning reels
- 6-10 lb mono or fluorocarbon lines
- Carolina rigs and drop-shot setups for finesse applications
Bait Recommendations
- Nightcrawlers: Universally effective for multiple species
- Cut bait: Great for catfish and drum
- Soft plastics: Senkos and curly tail grubs in natural colors
🚤 Charter Fishing Options: Go Deep for Giants
For those looking for a trophy experience, Lake Michigan charters are at peak productivity in June. Most captains are running 5-hour morning or evening trips targeting multi-species action.
What’s Being Caught
- Limit catches of coho salmon are common.
- Steelhead and chinook are starting to appear in deeper waters (60-90 feet).
- Lake trout in the 10-20 lb range are prevalent on bottom structure.
Recommended Charters
- Salmon Unlimited Charters
- Chicago Fishing Charters
- Windy City Salmon
Book early—prime time June weekends fill fast!
📅 Fishing Regulations & License Reminders
Important Notes
- A valid Illinois fishing license is required for all anglers age 16+.
- Lake Michigan anglers must also have the Lake Michigan Salmon Stamp.
- Daily limits:
- 5 trout/salmon combined
- 3 largemouth/smallmouth bass (minimum 14 inches)
- 6 walleye (minimum 14 inches)
Always double-check the latest Illinois DNR regulations before heading out.
🧠 Expert Tips for Success in June
- Watch the Wind: Onshore winds push baitfish closer to shore, concentrating predatory fish.
- Downsize After Fronts: Cold fronts can shut down feeding—go smaller and slower with presentations.
- Use Electronics: If boating, side imaging and sonar dramatically increase your catch rate.
🔚 Final Thoughts – June is Peak Time for Chicago Fishing
June is the perfect storm of warm water, active fish, and optimal weather for a Chicago angling adventure. From battling salmon in Lake Michigan to stalking bass in the city canals, opportunities are endless. Whether you fish from shore, boat, or kayak, the waters around Chicago are loaded with trophy potential and nonstop action.
Plan your trip, gear up, and hit the water—Chicago fishing in June 2025 is on fire.
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