Artificial Lure here with your November 1st, 2025, Lake Michigan fishing report for Chicago and nearby waters.

Kicking off this cool Saturday, temps are hovering in the low-50s along the lakeshore, and conditions are mostly sunny early, turning partly cloudy by midday. According to the National Weather Service, we’re looking at west winds 10-15 knots, with waves around 1–3 feet, which should settle out through the afternoon.

Sunrise hit us at 5:57 this morning, and sunset is at 5:45 tonight. The tidal swing’s not huge this far inland, but for you die-hards, today’s low tides are at 5:12 a.m. and 5:36 p.m., with a single high tide right before lunch at 11:28 a.m.—timing nicely with some of those major bite windows.

Lake Michigan’s surface temps near Chicago are hanging in the upper-50s—cold enough for the fall run to be in full swing. Salmon action’s prime right now. Montrose, Burnham, and Jackson Park harbors are filling up with both chinook and coho pushing in closer to shore. Early birds at dawn and those sticking around dusk are getting steady hookups, especially after a good north wind pushes bait into the harbors. Folks are catching salmon on bright spoons, crankbaits, and especially skein or spawn sacs fished under a float or on the bottom near pier heads. According to fishingreminder.com, classic silver or chartreuse spoons and size 13–15 crankbaits are turning heads, and don’t overlook the effectiveness of matching that profile when the water gets stained.

Steelhead have started popping up—best on overcast days, hitting bright spoons or smaller waxworm-tipped jigs, particularly near warmwater discharges and harbor mouths as nights get colder. Some anglers have nabbed lake trout working breakwalls and deeper drop-offs—try a slow-rolled swimbait or a heavy blade bait bounced 15–30 feet down when the lake lays flat.

River and harbor bass are feeding up on shad as they prep for winter. Smallmouth and largemouth are being found along current seams and in marina corners, and the top presentations are ned rigs, jerkbaits, and swim jigs. Perch action’s been spotty, but the bite improves on those calm, chilly mornings; minnows and shrimp pieces around weed edges and pilings are working best.

Best spots right now? I’d hit Montrose Harbor and Jackson Park Harbor if you’re targeting salmon, especially at dawn. For those after mixed-bag action, the river near the Wild Mile and Fullerton or North Avenue Beaches are worth a walk with lighter gear, as smallmouth and perch school up in those areas. Beaches with deeper holes or irregular wave breaks—like 31st Street and Ohio Street—are holding roaming fish. Plus, sheltered marinas like 59th Street can offer a bit of everything in late fall.

Don’t forget, after a night of wind, stained water is a secret weapon—try baits with some flash or rattle and lean into those chartreuse accents for visibility. For the salmon, floating spawn sacs and heavy-clearing cranks are your ticket. For bass, subtle ned rigs and natural-colored swim jigs mimic all that late-season forage.

If you’re planning to soak live bait, shiners and waxworms are top picks at the local shops right now. Bring shrimp as backup for finicky perch. And remember, on these moody November days, bigger, bulkier presentations may spark that bite from fish eager to pack on weight before winter, as noted by The Mining Gazette.

That’s the latest from your local waters. Thanks for tuning in, anglers! Don’t forget to subscribe for more updates straight from the big lake and beyond.

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