lake michigan chicago Fishing Report 2024

For up-to-date information, look up the fishing report for the water of your choice. Field staff update the fishing reports each week through the fishing season, reporting on fishing success, lake levels, water temperatures, and other important information.

πŸ—ΊοΈ Location LAKE MICHIGAN CHICAGO
🌎 Country US
⏰ Fast Updates Every day
🐟 Species All Species
πŸ—“οΈ Next Update Tomorrow
πŸ… Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

You also can get helpful information from the Fishing Forecast.

November 4, 2024 lake michigan chicago Fishing Report

Wednesday, August 10th, 2011

Hi friends. We arrived to the tuna grounds this morning a little after breakfast and with boats already broadcasting catches of Bluefin for the morning, we made our way out to the deck with heightened sense of excitement. Immediately upon entering the area, we had a couple of hits on the smaller grade Bluefins before a lull set in for most of the late morning all the way up until after lunch when we managed to find a few schools and had some action for the remainder of our day before we had to call it a trip around 1600. Throughout the day, Yellowfin tuna jig-strikes kept us awake and we also caught a few mixed in with the Bluefin schools. We ended our day with a respectable score but a few lucky boats managed to find a lucky school and ended up having a good day on the smaller short-fins. The potential is here for future ventures down this way and we also saw one spot of the bigger models so this area has us our full attention and we're looking forward to getting back down here as boats who remained in the area are reporting catching fish all the way up until dark.

With that, we put a bow on Eric Rogger's five day trip and are currently traveling up the line in beautiful, flat calm seas. Our ETA is 0700 hours tomorrow morning and we'll be returning back out for Ron Heil's five day trip. We'll report with you tomorrow. Take care.

-Team Supreme-

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

Hi friends. We slid into our destination first thing this morning and immediately sent the bait-catchers down to snag some Mackerel and snag some Mackerel we did. The Mackerel proved very useful today as we had a very good morning on the premium-sized Yellowtail. We also hooked a decent amount the stock grade fish in the 15-22 lb. range but all in all we had nice mix of the 25-35 pounders to go along with the stock grade fish. After a couple Halibut drifts, we made our way back to the Yellowtail area and finished up our day with a nice bite and with that, we ride off into the sunset.

As for our next destination, we're busting a move to an area of fish up the line and this particular place is called "what we've been waiting for". Numerous boats are reporting very good afternoon scores on Bluefin with a handful of Yellowfin tuna to add some color. The Bluefin are a mixed up grade and it sounds like the range of those fish are small all the way up to 60+ pounders with some Yellowfin in the 15-25 lb. class. It was hard to get a true report from the guys as most of them were in long drifts with multiple fish hooked up and the captains had to remain on deck to deal with the melee. The cliff-note reports were all we needed to hear and we left the Yellowtail biting to get up there and have a chance at the tuna we've been desperately seeking all season. The setup is prime, we feel it's our time, and we're screaming up the line. We're out. We'll report with you tomorrow afternoon. Wish us luck.

-Team Supreme-

Monday, August 8th, 2011

Good evening Polaris Supreme subscribers. Our expedition for kelp paddies was a great success today. I don't throw the term "super duper" around lightly, but we had ourselves a super duper day. It wasn't find-a-glory-kelp-and-be-done-with-your-day type fishing but more of find-a-bunch-of-kelps-and-piece-together-a-solid-day type fishing. Our only tuna situation found us looking at a breezer of Skipjack and we only tagged a handful of Dorado but our Yellowtail count was mess of numbers on the fish count board when all was said and done. The size of the 'tails ranged from 1-8 lb. "shakers", which were all released, and a healthy 14-18 lb. grade with a handful of 20 lbers in the mix. It was never wide open but we stayed busy throughout the day all they way into dusk. What was more impressive to me was the abundance of kelps and the size of the kelps. There were some real beauties out there and the beautiful sunny, light swell/wind conditions made for prime glassing and we never went more than twenty minutes or so without finding a kelp. All in all, awesome day. We're stoked and we'll be making a move throughout the night to hunt exclusively for trophy-sized Yellowtail, White Seabass, and maybe a Halibut drift or two will be on the agenda.

So that is all. Good times with good people and wish us luck tomorrow on our hunt for some cow Yellowtail. Have a great night.

-Team Supreme-

Sunday, August 7th, 2011

Hi friends. Picking up from the previous report's update, we slid into the Yellowtail Island in the late afternoon and did some scouting around before we located the 'tails and with a flurry, they hit us hard and like a light-switch, they shut off. What gives? The grade of fish was beautiful with most of the fish being in the 16-22 lb. range. We did some more poking around the Island and around sunset time, we found another spot that bit all the way into dark and we finished up our day with bent rods. To sum up the day, it was fantastic. A couple hour drift on our Yellowtail/Dorado kelp in the morning was a great warm-up and when the Island bite was complete, we made the decision to go check out a new area for tomorrow. The new area is a kelp-paddy zone where Yellowtail, Dorado, and Yellowfin tuna have been caught and the weather forecast looks good for tomorrow. We'll be motoring hard throughout the night and we'll be there when the sun comes up.

In closing, our weather conditions were prime all day and along with the fishing we enjoyed today, we're hoping for a repeat on Monday. Eric Rogger's crew is sound asleep and anticipating a full day of fun tomorrow. Let's hope that the fish/weather don't disappoint. Wish us luck.

Before we sign off, I'd like to let you know that we have a couple of trips that warrant mentioning. Garry Roberts 9-day trip departing Aug. 25th and returning Sept. 3rd has a couple of openings available. In years past, this trip has been notorious for stellar fishing at Alijos Rocks/The Ridge and it's also one of the first trips to make a good score on the Wahoo. Garry is one cool cat and if you'd like to join him, give Susan a call at (619) 390-7890. Also, Joe Gigliotti's Accurate sponsored 8-day trip leaving Oct. 15th returning Oct. 23rd also has space available. Prime time Fall fishing with a limited load of 20 anglers. Can't get much better than that. Do yourself a favor and give Susan a jingle ASAP.

-Team Supreme-

12:45 August 7th Morning update

We were late on getting the report out this morning and before I send this out, I just wanted to inform y'all that this morning, we stumbled upon a glory kelp on our journey. We picked up a few boxes full of 12-20 lb. Yellowtail and 8-12 lb. Dorado. It was darn good fishing for a couple of hours for a 50/50 mix of flats to jacks,and once it dried up, we continued to make way towards Yellowtail Paradise. We'll be there in the early evening time, that is if we don't find another glory kelp. More to report this evening. See ya.

-Team Supreme-

Saturday, August 6th, 2011

Good evening everyone. Today we disembarked on Eric Rogger's five-day fishing adventure along with Eric's closest friends. After topping off our sardine supply, we began our southerly trek down to the fishing grounds while Chef Barry served up some king-sized cheeseburgers with all the fixin's. The rest of the day was spent rigging, napping, and with the completion of our tackle seminar, our day was complete and we're hitting the racks to rest up for tomorrow's activities.

Our game-plan for tomorrow is to do some scouting around as we keep on-course to our next destination, which if all goes according to plan, won't happen because we found some offshore species to stall our progress towards the Yellowtail grounds. The Yellowtail grounds kicked out some pretty good scores in a different area today and we'll be giving it a check tomorrow. Like I said, hopefully we arrive there late because we stumbled upon a loaded kelp, loaded porpoise, or any other types of offshore-pelagic species. Our weather is great and we'll report with you tomorrow.

-Team Supreme-

November 3, 2024 lake michigan chicago Fishing Report

Tuesday, August 6th, 2013

Hi friends. Well, our ride was just OK last night but we made it to the rockcod area safely and right on schedule. They weren't hittin' too hot right off the bat, but a wise black man once told Tommy Rothery, "rockfish don't bite until after 08:00 hours, yo." Gunny, you're so wise, with your little red hat. Gunny was right on. After 08:00 hours this morning, we started picking away at some really nice reds and Lingcods. After a couple of hours, we had to point the bow for San Diego and begin our end of the trip chores. It was a fun way to end the trip and the guys who stood at the rail, in the cold weather were rewarded with some of the tastiest fish that we catch out here. Good job.

Anyhow, not too much to report as we make our way up the line. Our weather currently (11:10 hours) is beautiful and we were just treated to a great showing of feeding Blue Whales. I'm guessing about 50 whales were in sight at one time, fluking and spouting their way about the ocean. Even better, I successfully managed not to hit a single one. You're welcome, Whale Wars, and sorry to the Nishin Maru.

With that, the gang is downstairs kickin' it, Chappy is making a movie and photo show of all the footage that him and I took this trip so that'll be cool to see tonight at dinner. Fish tacos for lunch, "Work Now" list getting the pen treatment, boys are scrubbing, paperwork time. We're out. Our ETA tomorrow morning is looking like 06:30 hours and we'll be turning around with Captain Drew taking us to the promised land. We'll chat with you manana. Time for sandals and Sirius 60's on 6.

P.S. Hi Drew! We didn't lose our prime on the W.M.! I just talked to her and said to suck it up, we're all under a lot of pressure too and she listened. We miss you, Drew. See you tomorrow, big guy! You too, Shabba! Shabba?? SHABBA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I gotta go.

November 2, 2024 lake michigan chicago Fishing Report

We have to fill this Oct 5-day. All season long I here everyone asking how they can get on one of our 10 passenger Guadelupe trips. Well here it is. I have 2 spots open on what is really a 5.5 day trip to Guadelupe with only 10 people on the Apollo. The trip departs on the morning of Oct 1rst at 9am. and returns mid morning on the 6th. $1800 covers all meals and permits. This trip is a charter and if you are a part of it now chances are you'll be invited on many other trips with this group in the future. If you can make this happen, please call Steve at 714 272-4395.

November 1, 2024 lake michigan chicago Fishing Report

Hi again anglers:

We have another trip that has two spots open. This is short notice but hopefully someone will he able to take advantage. This one is a two day departing Tues, August 28th at p.m. fishing the 29th and 30th. The trip returns on the night on the 30th. Jack Nilson from Accurate will be on this one and there will be a reel giveaway. Cost is $550 and includes food and permits. For more info or to sign up please contact Warren at 909-223-2644

October 31, 2024 lake michigan chicago Fishing Report

July 19
  Today went well I thought.  Starting with our ride up last night.  As good as it gets.  Flat calm.  The only swell was a long swell that would slowly, gently rock the boat.  We slept like babies.  In fact, I think I woke up with my thumb in my mouth.  I let everyone sleep in if they chose to.  We didn't start fishing until just before 9:00 in the morning.

  We were pleasantly surprised with the fishing.  It was good.  We tried for some more yellows, for us, and to check out the grounds for future trips as well and they bit well.  We kept 2-4 going the whole time until we drove away from them.  "We left them biting".  Our favorite thing to say out here.  After that we ran up and made a few drifts for some Cod.  We had the time and I had a few requests so we caught a few rockfish.

  Now we're headed home.  The crew's scrubbing the boat, I'm writing this, I think there may be a poker game going on, and we're just hanging out and enjoying ourselves and the beautiful ride up.  The wind and swell are on our stern.  That storm out there is blessing us with a lovely ride home.  Its like we're riding down but we're going up.  Timing is everything.  Sometimes it all comes together and this trip was one of them.

  So we'll be home bright and early tomorrow and of course we'll be headed back out a few hours later.
         

October 30, 2024 lake michigan chicago Fishing Report

Today was better fishing. It was still a grind but we were able to get some real trophies for our last day. Pictured here we have Mic with his beautiful Yellowfin. Also we have Jim Holman and Jon Collins with their big fish of the trip! Nice Job guys!

October 29, 2024 lake michigan chicago Fishing Report

Good evening from the Polaris Supreme bridge. Today was our first full day of travel. We still have this big swell following us down the line, but it's not doing us any harm.  We're rolling down swell with it, so it's not a real big deal.  I wouldn't mind it being a few degrees warmer, but it is the middle of February.  Everyone got to sleep in a little bit and have a nice breakfast at 0800.  The crew gave a wahoo seminar mid morning the get the guys tuned up on catching some "skinnies".  It's nothing new to the OTR guys,  but a little refresher course never hurts.  They got right into making their leaders, rigging wahoo bombs and so forth. Certainly helps break up a travel day.  Chef Mike and Gringo put out a real nice Chicken and artichoke penne pasta with pesto sauce and garlic bread for lunch. That dish always makes for a nice nap afterward.      

                The rest of the afternoon was just a bunch of catching up with old friends, eating more food as we always do on these trips and the crew doing a few chores before dinner.  Just another standard travel day here on the Polaris Supreme. Till tomorrow, this is the Supreme boys out.

 

Jed and crew

October 28, 2024 lake michigan chicago Fishing Report

The Pacifica returned from a 2-Day 976-Tuna sponsored trip.

Final Count:

26 anglers

89 California Yellowtail

5 Yellowfin Tuna

42 Skipjack Tuna

5 Bluefin Tuna

Weekly Fishing Reports

Fishing reports for lake michigan chicago are updated each week, usually by Thursday morning. The reports are compiled by an outside contractor who receives the information from bait shops, marinas and fishing guides.

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