Anyone here live in Chicago (the city) and shore fish? I'm kinda new to the area and looking for spots and/or possibly a fishing buddy.

sent you a PM

 If you can dissect the lake front I would say go for it. For some reason lake michigan kicks I disagree.  Going to get some smallies this year though. If you want to catch 20+ lb carp then I would say go behind the shedd aquarium  they are sitting on the rocks back there.  

 If you can dissect the lake front I would say go for it. For some reason lake michigan kicks I disagree.  Going to get some smallies this year though. If you want to catch 20+ lb carp then I would say go behind the shedd aquarium  they are sitting on the rocks back there.  

didn't you go throw an A-rig a week or two ago out there?  I was curious if it produced for you or not.

didn't you go throw an A-rig a week or two ago out there?  I was curious if it produced for you or not.

Yeah it didnt produce but burnham / that area has been really slow for small mouth. I also went later in the day which might have been an issue. Erie darters and things of that nature do well though.

tbone, Do you fish Burnham by shore or by boat? If you have a boat, Monroe is a better option for smallies. I haven't shore fished in many years but Diversey and Belmont were always good for largemouth from shore as was the river. 

Anyone here live in Chicago (the city) and shore fish? I'm kinda new to the area and looking for spots and/or possibly a fishing buddy.

Glad to see another Urban angler. I'm near bucktown myself. Haven't fished Lake Michigan because I never really knew where to go. I'm going to start trying montrose and Belmont piers and just explore various spots. I'd be down with meeting up with some other local anglers. Let me know.

If you guys plan on fishing at night, keep your guard up and be aware of your surroundings. Fish with a partner if you can. 

Yeah it didnt produce but burnham / that area has been really slow for small mouth. I also went later in the day which might have been an issue. Erie darters and things of that nature do well though.

My father-in-law has a boat in Burnham right on the 50 yd line. We just go trolling for salmon though. I've been toying with the idea of drop shotting by the piers but I have never seen anyone pulling smallies in that harbor. You're technically not supposed to fish in or by the piers. I have seen some monster carp surface there, but not really my thing.

My father-in-law has a boat in Burnham right on the 50 yd line. We just go trolling for salmon though. I've been toying with the idea of drop shotting by the piers but I have never seen anyone pulling smallies in that harbor. You're technically not supposed to fish in or by the piers. I have seen some monster carp surface there, but not really my thing.

I think the rule is within 50ft of any moored boat.

I think the rule is within 50ft of any moored boat.

Interseting, I'll have to look into that. From what I was told, no fishing inside the actual harbor at Burnham. There is a no fishing rule on or around the piers period, that I know and they have signs posted up there. I see little kids fishing the walls all the time so I don't really think they'd hassle me but you never know. Especially with 6K slip fees for the guys that own boats!

 

I've been trying to convince the father in law to go try for some smallies but fishing for smallies on a 38' Sea Ray can be challenging.  I wouldn't know any places to go and park the boat and cast off for them. His electronics aren't the greatest. He kind of just drives around and hopes he catches a fish or two.  We've had some great days with the salmon though. 

The smallies are on all the breakwalls. Just slap a 101lb thrust trolling motor on the Sea Ray and your good to go. I hear the coho's are on fire right now.

The smallies are on all the breakwalls. Just slap a 101lb thrust trolling motor on the Sea Ray and your good to go. I hear the coho's are on fire right now.

Ditto. I haven't been out yet, nor has he. I don't know what the freaking hold up is. My freezer is empty.

tbone, Do you fish Burnham by shore or by boat? If you have a boat, Monroe is a better option for smallies. I haven't shore fished in many years but Diversey and Belmont were always good for largemouth from shore as was the river. 

I wish I was by boat it wouldnt even be a challenge. I have saw someone in a red ranger fishing monroe last sunday when I was on a walk for cystic fibrosis.  I am going to get out with a friend who has been dissecting burnham for the past week. Its been tough to get out early with work and all ( henrys).  

Interseting, I'll have to look into that. From what I was told, no fishing inside the actual harbor at Burnham. There is a no fishing rule on or around the piers period, that I know and they have signs posted up there. I see little kids fishing the walls all the time so I don't really think they'd hassle me but you never know. Especially with 6K slip fees for the guys that own boats!

 

I've been trying to convince the father in law to go try for some smallies but fishing for smallies on a 38' Sea Ray can be challenging.  I wouldn't know any places to go and park the boat and cast off for them. His electronics aren't the greatest. He kind of just drives around and hopes he catches a fish or two.  We've had some great days with the salmon though. 

noone bothers you fishing around there everyone does it. Ive hit boats from time to time.