Good morning Chicago anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Lake Michigan fishing update for Wednesday, October 22, 2025. If you’re headed out around the lakefront today, brace yourself: the fall transition is fully underway, both with the bite and with the weather.

First, let’s talk conditions. According to the National Weather Service, we’ve got strong northwest winds gusting up to 30 knots, and waves are running 5 to 8 feet, with the occasional rogue 10-footer rolling in. You can expect scattered showers this morning and again later in the day, and—believe it or not—a slight chance of waterspouts if you’re offshore. Sunset will be at 6:01 PM tonight, with sunrise this morning at 7:13 AM, so plan your outings for the low-light windows when fish tend to be most active. With these fall gales, nearshore structure and harbors will be the most fishable, safer options today.

Now, onto the fish. Perch action has picked up in the harbors and protected pockets, especially as water temps drop and baitfish move in. Anglers reported solid perch numbers at Montrose and Diversey harbors, most fish in the 9- to 11-inch range. Live minnows and wigglers are the standout baits—even a few folks adding pieces of raw shrimp scored bonus bites. Try small crappie rigs or simple drop-shot presentations tight to the bottom.

Smallmouth bass are hanging around rockpiles and deeper breakwalls, keying on anything that mimics the gobies and crayfish they’re hunting. Ned rigs, tube jigs in green pumpkin and brown, and lighter drop-shot setups are triggering steady bites. With herring runs thinning and gizzard shad on the move, downsizing your presentations often pays off.

For salmon and steelhead hunters, the main runs have trickled down, but there are still occasional fresh kings and coho caught early and late near the river mouths and the warm water discharges. Spinners, spawn sacks, and medium diving crankbaits in orange or chartreuse are tempting the stubborn stragglers. Evenings after the wind dies down can be your best shot.

The weather and big surf have slowed pier traffic, but diehards working sheltered areas, like Navy Pier and the Calumet Slip, managed bonus catches of jumbo perch and a few late-season smallmouth. Keep safety in mind: cold water and high surf make the outer points risky—use a PFD, keep your distance from the edge, and save the long walks for tamer days.

In sum, go-to baits today:
- **Live fathead minnows** and **wigglers** (tipped on small jigs or drop-shots) for perch.
- **Tube jigs** (green pumpkin, brown), **ned rigs**, and silver or white **spinnerbaits** for smallmouth bass.
- **Bright spinners** and **spawn sacs** for salmon, if you’re chasing the last of the big runs.

Hot spots this week: Montrose Harbor for consistent perch and smallies, and Burnham Harbor for a good mix of species and protection from the wind. Keep an eye on the inner walls and any wind-blown corners where bait stacks up—predators won’t be far behind.

Big props to everyone braving the elements—remember, fall storms mean fewer crowds, but also call for extra caution. Thanks for tuning in to your Lake Michigan daily report with Artificial Lure. Make sure to hit that subscribe button for tomorrow’s updates, tips, and local insight.

This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI