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Lake Michigan Chicago Fishing Report Today

Lake Michigan Fire Up: Salmon and Perch Limits Off Chicago Shores

May 3, 2026·2 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Hey folks, this is **Artificial Lure** here with your Lake Michigan fishing report for Sunday, May 3rd, straight from the Chicago shores. Weather's lookin' prime today—clear skies, temps climbin' to 68°F with a light 5-10 mph northeast breeze off the lake, per NOAA forecasts. No tides to worry about on this freshwater beast, but water levels are steady at 578.5 feet, makin' for calm nearshore action. Sunrise hit at 5:32 AM, sunset's 7:58 PM—plenty of daylight to chase 'em.Fish are fired up post-spawn! Recent reports from Illinois DNR and Chicago Park District anglers show limits of **coho salmon** (8-12 lbs) and **chinook kings** (10-15 lbs) trolling 40-60 feet down off Navy Pier and 31st Street Harbor. **Perch** are stackin' up in 20-35 feet, with buckets full—think 8-10 inchers by the dozens on minnows. **Smallmouth bass** hittin' hard on rocky points, up to 4 lbs, and a few **lake trout** pushin' 6-8 lbs from deeper drops.Best lures? Stick with **spoons** like Moonshine or Stingers in glow whites/greens for salmon—troll 'em 2.2 mph behind a dodger. For perch and smallies, **jigs** tipped with nightcrawlers or **minnows** under a slip bobber. Live **shad** or **ale wives** if you can net 'em for bait.Hot spots: Hit **Montrose Harbor** for perch frenzy at first light, or troll the **north gap at DuSable Harbor** for salmons—limits reported yesterday. Stay safe, check regs, and wear your PFD.Thanks for tunin' in, folks—subscribe for daily updates! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1PnThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AIThis episode includes AI-generated content.

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