Artificial Lure reporting from Lake Michigan, Chicago, it’s Monday, October 20th, 2025, and let me tell you, the bite and the weather are both giving us a late-October curveball.

First off, the **weather’s been unseasonably warm** for the Great Lakes region—NOAA’s latest updates say we’re running 10 to 15 degrees above average, with daytime highs pushing into the mid to upper 70s. That’s got the water temps holding steadier than your typical fall, and fish have been staying a little more active, especially in the mornings and evenings. Expect almost zero rain, light winds—though gales last night kept things spicy offshore, especially south of the city. By evening, wind speeds should back off and shift southerly, but they’ll be kicking back up late, so watch small craft advisories if you’re launching anywhere near the big lake.

For today, **sunrise hit at 5:58 AM and sunset will be 5:43 PM**, giving you about 11 hours and 45 minutes of solid light. Tides in Chicago are running a high coefficient: low tide at 7:47 AM, high around 1:58 PM, and another lower mark about 7:58 PM. Strong tidal currents in the afternoon mean fish are on the move—look for rips, channel edges, and anywhere bait might pile up.

Fishing activity’s still lively for late October. According to Chicago’s Lake Michigan Daily Fishing Report, **bass and perch have been the headline**. Largemouth and smallmouth are hugging structure and breakwalls; perch action has moved in shallower as that water cools, but these warm days keep them feeding throughout the mid-morning. Crankbaits and swimbaits have been solid, but with clearer water, downsize to more natural colors—think pumpkinseed, green, or classic white. For perch, nothing’s been as consistent as **live minnows, bits of crawler, and even frozen shrimp**, the sleeper bait this fall, as recommended by Buc’s Fishing Report. Waxworms and tiny plastic tubes on ultralight tackle have stacked bucketfuls off Navy Pier and Montrose Harbor.

As for salmon, the October run’s winding down fast. Big Lake Little Boat’s rundown on YouTube says last week was your window, with the kings fading out and fewer fresh cohos showing up near the river mouths. If you’re still hunting silvers, **spawn sacs or bright orange spoons** are your ticket—especially early or late. Flutter spoons and J-plugs in chartreuse or glow patterns did the trick along the Chicago River mouth recently. Don’t be shy to troll near Chicago’s river outflows and the Burnham breakwall, particularly around dawn.

Walleye have started to show near shorelines and structure after dark. The Fishing Wire’s late-season advice suggests casting #5 Hornets, Rage Swimmers, and shallow cranks when they’re under seven feet. Rattlin’ baits in perch color get bit right when the sun dips below that skyline.

Hot spots this week:

- **Montrose Harbor:** Morning perch schools, plus a shot at smallmouth on rock piles.
- **Burnham Harbor:** Good numbers of bass, especially on jigs and spinnerbaits near the boats.
- **Navy Pier:** Steady perch action, especially on live bait, and still a chance for a stray salmon with a flashy spoon.

Best baits and lures:

- **Live minnows, waxworms, frozen shrimp** for perch.
- **Natural crankbaits, small swimbaits** for bass.
- **Spawn sacs, orange flutter spoons, J-plugs** for salmon.
- **Hornet and Rage Swimmer crankbaits in perch color** for walleye after sunset.

As always in Chicago, safety first—watch those winds. Water can get rough fast when those gales ramp up. Don’t forget, fish deep transitions during midday, and target shallows right after sunrise or just before sunset.

Thanks for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe for daily updates—this report’s brought to you by Artificial Lure. This has been a Quiet Please production; for more, check out quietplease dot ai.

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