Lake Michigan Coho Frenzy: Limits Galore Across Chicago Harbors

Good morning, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake Michigan fishing report for this beautiful Wednesday morning, May 7th, 2025.

The weather continues to warm nicely as we push further into May, with water temperatures gradually rising. We're looking at mild conditions today with light winds from the southwest, perfect for getting out on the water.

The coho salmon bite remains red hot around Chicago! These silver bullets have been absolutely crushing it for the past week. Since my last report on Sunday, the action has only intensified. Boat anglers are finding consistent success in 40-60 feet of water, with the fish typically suspended 15 to 30 feet down. The Horseshoe area continues to be the hot zone, likely due to the large schools of alewives congregating there.

Shore anglers, don't feel left out! As water temps climb, these cohos are pushing closer to shore, making them more accessible from the banks. Montrose Harbor and Burnham Harbor have been particularly productive spots for shore fishing.

King salmon numbers are also improving, with decent catches reported in the same areas as the cohos. Lake trout action remains strong if you're willing to head north toward Rockport.

For tackle, powerlines have been the ticket to limits. Casting spoons, particularly in blue and silver or green patterns, have been deadly. Various crankbaits, slip bobber setups with bait, or Michigan City rigs are all producing well. If you prefer live bait, large minnows, crawlers, shrimp, and spawn sacs are all working their magic.

Hot spots to try today: The Horseshoe remains the prime location, but Waukegan Harbor and the waters off Navy Pier have also been consistently productive. If you're heading out from Chicago, try working the waters between the cribs and the shoreline.

Water levels are running a bit low, so be cautious when launching at some of the smaller access points. Sunrise today was at 5:37 AM, with sunset coming at 7:55 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to get those limits.

With the weekend approaching, expect more boat traffic, so getting an early start will serve you well. The bite has been most consistent in the early morning hours, tapering off around midday before picking back up in the late afternoon.

That's your Lake Michigan fishing report for May 7th. This is Artificial Lure saying tight lines, and I'll see you on the water!