Let's Go Fishing Chicago

In Chicago there is a fishing program for just about everyone, including those new to the sport and those with many seasons, and fish, under their belts. Below are some details about derbies, fishing activities and great locations to fish in Chicago as well as some helpful tips to help catch them.

Licenses

Fishing licenses are required for all fishermen over 16 and are available for purchase at Chicago Park District fieldhouses with lagoons and at most local bait shops.

Resident sport fishing	$13
Resident sport fishing 65 years and over	$6.75
Resident and non-resident Under 16	Free
Resident sport fishing Disabled, blind	Free
Salmon Stamp	$6.50

Programs

Mayor Daley’s Fish’N Kids

June 17 through August 24 – Monday through Friday from 10 am to 4 pm

We supply the rods, reels, bait and instruction – you supply the kids. There are four daily, 45 minute fishing sessions or 120 children per day. Fishing takes place at all Chicago Park District lagoons and at four lakefront locations. It’s free and open to the public. To reserve a date, time and place for your summer camp, church, community group or organization call 312.747.6067.

Richard J. Daley Memorial Fishing Derby

June 1 through August 31

Compete for over $12,000 in cash prizes awarded to over 126 winners. First place wins $150, Second Place takes home $100 and Third Place winners receive $75.  Derby categories include Coho and King Salmon, Steelhead, Brown Trout, Catfish, Carp and Panfish. Fish caught from Lake Michigan, the Chicago River and Chicago Park District Lagoons all qualify. For R.J. Daley Derby information call Henry’s Sports and Bait Shop 312.225.8538 or the Chicago Park District 312.747.6067.


Sam Romano Youth Fishing Derby

June 1 through August 31

Just for the kids! The program, named in honor of Charter Boat Captain Sam Romano who loved fishing and kids, is open to all kids ages 8 to15. The four fish categories include Rock Bass, Panfish, Catfish, and Carp. Enter a catch in each category for a chance to win $60 worth of new fishing equipment. Sixty kids, twenty in each category will win. For more information call Henry’s Sports and Bait Shop 312.225.8538, Jim’s Bait 773.978.6596, Park Bait Company 773.271.2838, Superior Bait 773.545.4044 or the Chicago Park District 312.747.6067.

Tagged Fish Contest

June 1 through November 30

In June, July and August 500 channel catfish, tagged with bright-pink FLOY tags, are stocked in Chicago Park District lagoons by the Illinois Department of Conservatory. Catch one, save the tag and call 312.747.6067 to redeem a prize, a brand new rod and reel. The contest is open to all ages.

Urban Fishing Program

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Urban Fishing Program also offers no cost, instructed fishing at our City lagoons. In addition they offer informative and fun fishing lessons and seminars that can be conducted at your location. For more information call 847.294.4132.

Spring Fishing

Fishing for Coho Salmon in the spring is another fantastic early-season fishing opportunity. The fish come close to shore making them readily available to bank and boat anglers. Spoons, plugs, spinners and bait are all effective techniques to use to catch the cold-water salmon when many feel they are their tastiest.

Boat Fishing

As the summer progresses, salmon and trout move farther out into Lake Michigan. Boats can be launched from Calumet Park, Jackson Park and Burnham and Diversey Harbors.

Shore Fishing

In addition to harbors and lagoons, many enjoy fishing along the Chicago River and from the lakefront. Perch, Rock Bass, Largemouth Bass, Carp and Panfish can be caught from spring until fall when Salmon return. Popular locations include the area along Solidarity Drive, between the Shedd Aquarium an the Planetarium, 31^st St. Pier, Casino Pier located at 63^rd Street Beach and Calumet Park on East 95^th Street.

Perch Fishing

Fishing for the delicious little critters has been fantastic the last few years, and there is no slot limit on size. The daily limit is 15 perch. Fish along break walls and piers that drop off into deep water. Soft-shell crayfish, spikes, minnows, spinners and jigs are all great baits to use. May and June are prime times. Perch fishing is closed from July 1 to July 31.

Snagging Season

October 1 through December 31

Snagging for Chinook and Coho Salmon is permitted in the Lincoln Park Lagoon from the Fullerton Avenue Bridge to the southern end of the lagoon and in the Jackson Park Inner and Outer Harbors. Snagging is not allowed any time within 200 feet of a moored watercraft. Snagging for species other than Salmon is illegal. A fishing license with a salmon stamp is required.

 

Fish Species Available in Chicago Park District

The fishing season never closes.

March to April

Lakefront & Harbors:        Coho Salmon and Smelt

Lagoons:                       Early season Bluegill and Crappie

May to August

Lakefront & Harbors:        Perch (except for closed season)

                                    Panfish, Carp, Smallmouth Bass

Lagoons:                        Bluegill, Channel Catfish and Largemouth Bass (The Illinois         Department of Natural Resources stocks the lagoons with 33,000 Bluegill in May, and 30,000 pounds of Catfish (approximately 12,500 individual fish) in June, July and August.

September to December

Lakefront & Harbors:        King and Coho Salmon, Brown Trout, Steelhead and Perch

Lagoons:                         Bluegill and Channel Catfish

January to February

Lakefront &Harbors:         Perch, Panfish & Trout

 

Lakefront/Harbor Fishing

Harbor fishing is allowed in designated areas of the following harbors. No casting is allowed within 100 feet of a moored vessel or a vessel underway.

Belmont Harbor, 3200 North

Montrose Harbor, 4400 North

Diversey Harbor, 2800 North

DuSable Harbor, 100 North

Monroe Harbor, 100 South

Burnham Harbor, 1200 South

59^th Street Harbor, 5900 South

Jackson Inner Harbor, 6400 South

Jackson Outer Harbor, 6400 South

Neighborhood Fishing

Auburn Park Lagoon, South Fielding & Winnecona Ave.

Calumet Park, 9800 South

Columbus Park Lagoon, South Central Ave. & Jackson Blvd.

Douglas Park Lagoon, California Ave. & Roosevelt Rd.

Garfield Park Lagoon, Washington Blvd. & Central Park

Gompers Park Lagoon, Pulaski Ave. & Foster Ave.

Humboldt Park Lagoon, Sacramento Ave. & North Ave.

Jackson Park Lagoon, Stony Island & Midway Plaissance

Lincoln Park South Lagoon & South Pond, 2001 N. Stockton Dr.

Marquette Park Lagoon, California & 71^st Street

McKinley Park Lagoon, 37^th & Damen Ave.

Sherman Park Lagoon, 52^nd St. & Racine Ave.

Washington Park Lagoon, Martin Luther King Dr. & 55^th St.

Fishing Tips from the Chicago Park District

Lake Michigan Fishing

Bass Tip: When fishing for Rock Bass keep your lure or bait moving slowly. A slow rise and fall of six inches will entice more fish.

Lure Tip: All around lure: 1/32 jig head with a one-to-two-inch plastic lure in chartreuse, white or pink. This will catch bluegill, crappie, smallmouth bass, steelies, browns and just about everything else.

Bass Tip: May is Smallmouth spawning time. Cast out into the lake and drag your lure or bait slowly along the outside, deep-water edge where rock give way to sand. Work slowly.

Coho Lure Tip: Crankbaits are hot for spring Coho. Try Wiggle Warts, Hot’N Tots, Rapala and Berkeley Frenzy shallow runner in silver plate or fluorescent colors. Stay shallow; the fish are in the top five feet of water.

Coho Bait Tip: When fishing with a night crawler for Coho, put the main hook through the tip of the crawlers nose and add a small, #10 stinger hook through the tail.

Coho Bait Tip: Use a slip float with a Night crawler or a strip of squid on a #4 or #2 beak or bait holder hook. Don’t use a long shank for Coho.

Lure Tip: When fishing in cold weather and you want to keep your guides from freezing; spray them with PAM cooking oil.

Tackle Tip: Change your fishing line at least once a year. If it’s stiff and coiled, put the spool in a zip lock baggie filled with warm water. By the time you get to the fishing hole, the line will be soft and should cast more easily.

Perch Bait Tip: For big, jumbo Perch use a whole, or at least half a soft shell on a 2/0 hook. Don’t skimp; big fish want a big meal.

Perch Lure/Bait Tip: For more action (greater numbers) of summer Perch, use an in-line spinner with a gold or silver blade with a long-shank gold hook. Tip with a piece of soft-shell claw or a spike. Fish deep and reel in slowly.

Neighborhood Fishing

Tips: Use the lightest tackle you possibly can; you may lose some fish, but you’ll get more to bite. Use two, four or six-pound-test leader for perch, bluegill, crappie and rock bass.

Tip: Want a blast? Thread a long-shank, number 8 gold hook through a cricket. Fish it with a 1- to 3- weight fly rod on Cook County Lakes and ponds on calm summer evenings and hold on.

Catfish/Bluegill Tip: To find catfish or bluegill in a pond, cast out as far as you can, and then very slowly turn the handle of the reel. This will let you cover water and find fish, as opposed to waiting for them to find you. Once you find them you can then work that spot.

Bait Tip: Best bait for everything that swims from June through August: Soft shells.

Bait Tip: Essential. To keep you bait fresh, keep it in a small cooler with ice or a reusable freeze pack. However, keep the bait in a zip-lock freezer bag. Never get your bait wet. Keep it cool and dry.

Bait Tip: When using 3.5 to 4-inch tubes for bass, stuff the hollow inside of the tube with fresh soft-shell crayfish. Seal the back end with a toothpick. Cut a few tiny slits in the tube. Your new tube now has color, action and scent.

Bait Tip: Garlic flavored hotdogs and polish sausage, cut into ¼ inch pieces, make superb bait for the channel catfish stocked in our lagoons.

Fishing Tip: Watch your line when raising or lowering your bait. Don’t drop the bait, lower it. Many hits will come on the fall. You’ll only feel those constant hits if your line is tight.

Lure Tip: For local largemouth: best baits are a 1/8 –ounce spinner bait in white (single or double-bladed), and six-inch plastic worms in motor oil, pumpkin seed, black with blue flake or pumpkin with red flake.

Bluegill Tip: Waxies, spikes and butterworms are the best all-around baits for bluegill spring through fall.

Panfish Tip: When fishing for panfish in Chicago and Cook County always use a two-fer setup: either a dry fly with a nymph dropper, two small streamers, or two nymphs. Put the biggest fly first.

Bait Tip: If gobies are staling your bait, bring the bait up a foot or so off the bottom. Gobies generally won’t come too high off the bottom, especially when predators are around.

Catfish Tip: For best results for catfish in the Chicago Park District lagoons, use a slip float (bobber). Start deep and work shallow to find fish.