Lake Michigan Fishing Report: Coho Slam, Kings on the Rise, and Shore Anglers Thrive

LAKE MICHIGAN FISHING REPORT - May 17, 2025
by Artificial Lure, Chicago's Own Angling Expert

Good morning, fellow anglers! It's a beautiful Saturday here in Chicago, and the fish are calling our names. Let me tell you what's happening on the big pond today.

Weather-wise, we're looking at decent conditions this morning, though keep your eye on the sky as we might see some chop later. Dawn broke around 5:30 AM, and we'll have light until about 8:15 PM, giving you plenty of time to get your lines wet.

The coho bite remains excellent right now! Reports from the past couple weeks show anglers consistently hitting their bag limits. These silvers are running in the 17-35 foot depth range, especially if you're heading out from the harbors. The occasional chinook (king) salmon is also making an appearance, with some monsters in the 20-pound class being landed near Milwaukee recently.

If you're boat fishing today, your best bet is orange dodgers paired with peanut flies, which have been absolutely slaying the cohos. Green and white spoons are your next best option, with black and golden-orange spoons producing occasionally. For those targeting kings, try aqua-colored spoons a bit deeper.

Shore anglers aren't being left out either. Tube jigs tipped with shrimp pieces have been productive from the piers. If you can get your hands on some live alewife, that's been golden for coho action from McKinley Pier and similar spots. Don't ignore the power plant discharge areas either – they've been producing some nice brown trout.

For you lakefront hot spots today, I'd recommend hitting Montrose Harbor early, where the coho schools have been thick. Navy Pier has also been producing, especially on the northeast corner. If you're willing to drive a bit, the ramps at Port Washington have been consistently good for limit catches.

Beyond salmon, we're seeing decent numbers of northern pike, white bass, and the ever-present sheepshead (freshwater drum) in the harbors. A few smallmouth bass are starting to show up along rocky areas as well.

Bait shops are reporting strong minnow supplies, but call ahead for alewife availability as demand has been high with the salmon bite.

One last tip from your pal Artificial Lure – the fish seem to be biting better on the color changes. Look for those seams where clear water meets slightly stained water, and you'll find fish stacked up.

That's the word from the big lake today, folks. Get out there and wet a line! As we always say in Chicago, fish early, fish often, and don't tell nobody where you caught 'em!

Tight lines until next time,
Artificial Lure