On 9/2/2024 at 8:13 PM, WackyWormNedRig said:

Unsure about Michigan but I’ve seen some monster and I mean monster bass in Lake Michigan downtown Chicago. One was so big I thought it was a carp 

I do want to hear more about this. I was just in Chicago looking at the water front and wondering how the fishing was. Where downtown?

I saw that big bass inside of Belmont harbor. All those harbors are pretty good for bass fishing. Diversey, Belmont, Dusable, and Burnham. Salmon are coming in right now.

When I lived in the city in the 90's, I always fished Burnham and Monroe Harbors for smallies and the river for largemouth. I have fished the harbors and river since then by boat. I've caught bass over 4 pounds. If you can get access to a boat, the "Playpen" breakwalls hold fish

Speaking of carp fishing in Chicago

 

What was your best bait for smallies? I seem to get them on the tube.

I primarily jig fish, but I'd get them on spinner baits as well. 

 

There's also some pretty big rock bass in the harbors. I've caught some 1+ pounders. 

 

Iconelli filmed a show here a number of years ago when he was doing his urban fishing series. If I recall, he spent most of his time fishing around Navy Pier. 

 

I used to be able to sneak my old boat underneath the north side of Navy pier and do well with smallies and perch. It's been awhile but, I'm pretty sure it's a no boating area now because of the water plant. Worried about terror attacks or something. 

 

Unfortunately, it's not always easy to find safe shore access on the river, not to mention parking. I don't know if it's still there but, there is/was a municipal lot underneath LSD at the Ogden Slip that was never patrolled for illegally parked cars. I'd park there. Prior to the condos being built on the south side of the slip, we'd fish at the boat touch and go that borders McClurg. Best shorebound crappie and LMB spot I ever found on the river. After the condos we're built, security would shag us out. 

 

The IL record smallmouth was caught across from the buckingham fountain....

 

https://onthewater.com/news/2019/10/23/z-man-ned-rig-hooks-illinois-state-record-smallmouth-bass

 

I fish the 31st harbor most frequently....

 

 

scott