Chicago Anglers Report: Perch, Coho, and Smallies Biting Strong on Lake Michigan (May 31, 2025) j6c5g

Hey there, Chicago anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake Michigan fishing report for Saturday, May 31, 2025. Sunrise is early at 5:17 a.m., and sunset comes in at 8:20 p.m.—that gives you plenty of prime daylight to chase those finned prizes. The weather this morning is mostly cloudy but warming up nicely—temperatures are sitting at a comfortable 72°F and will top out around 77°F. Winds are mild from the west-northwest at about 8 mph, so the lake's staying calm with waves around 1 foot—ideal for shoreline casting or a quick run offshore. There’s only a slight 15% chance of rain, so conditions should hold steady through most of the day. The bite in Chicago’s harbors and nearshore Lake Michigan has really picked up. Perch fishing continues to improve as the water warms up, with good numbers coming from deeper water off the Chicago cribs as well as around Montrose and 31st Street harbors. Try targeting perch with minnows or soft plastics on drop shot rigs. If you’re after something bigger, the Coho salmon bite is still going strong. According to the Chicago Lake Michigan Daily Fishing Report, the Horseshoe area has been especially hot—look for schools of alewives bringing in those Coho. Anglers are having best results with large minnows, crawlers, shrimp, spawn sacs, and a variety of spoons and crankbaits. Powerline rigs and slip bobbers are helping many reach quick limits. Boaters are connecting with Coho and the first King salmon of the season in 40-60 feet of water, running lines 15-30 feet down. For the bass crowd, smallmouth action is off the charts. Captain Experiences reports some trips landing 30-plus smallies each—a May highlight. Right now, focus on catch-and-release (season for possession opens later this month), and target harbors and rocky shoreline structure. Try Ned rigs, tube jigs, or small swimbaits for the best action while they're gorging on baitfish in pre-spawn mode. A couple of hot spots to put on your list: the ever-popular Navy Pier remains solid for both perch and smallmouth, while the southern discharge areas near the power plants are pulling in bait and predators—especially on mornings when that water is just a touch warmer. One quick reminder: the DNR requires you to have a paper copy of your fishing license on Lake Michigan. Don’t get caught without it! That’s the scoop for today. Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to subscribe for the latest on Chicago’s fishing scene. This has been a Quiet Please production—for more, check out quietplease.ai. 2n5817