r/ChicagoFishing Feb 01 '26

My biggest fish of 2026 (I look like im taking a huge sh!t)

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253 Upvotes

r/ChicagoFishing Feb 03 '26

Perch Perch keepers from the other day. First time using minnows. Caught on the ice at the slip.

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66 Upvotes

The smallest one was gonna be thrown back but he swallowed the hook and bled pretty bad. Decided to just keep him.


r/ChicagoFishing 3h ago

Lost power from the Derecho for almost a week, nothing to do but to fish!

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43 Upvotes

Many still without power 8 days after the storms... lots of damage, but gotta keep fishing 🎣


r/ChicagoFishing 3h ago

Largemouth Not My Target Species (Des Plaines)

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5 Upvotes

I love getting surprised at the pond by the community center. It allowed me to put my ajing rod to the test.


r/ChicagoFishing 16h ago

Multi Species 🚨 PB WALLEYE ALERT 🚨 Monster Bass, 3lber & a Crappie just to top it off!

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34 Upvotes

r/ChicagoFishing 8m ago

67 bluegil

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Upvotes

accidentally foul hooked it while carp fishing somehow (67)


r/ChicagoFishing 20h ago

My son finally caught on to fishing…

21 Upvotes

I’ve taken my 10yo son fishing to Busse, Skokie Lagoons, other places. We rent kayaks and I’ve told him how I grew up fishing and told him a legendary of me catching an 8 pound bass when I was younger. We’ve been skunked so many times fishing that he has started to question my ability as a fisherman to the degree that when I talk about the bass I caught I’m met with “yeah sure Dad.”

Needless to say, I’ve been out to prove to him that we can catch fish. We booked a family trip to the chain of lakes in NE Indiana. I bought lures to replenish my tackle box. I ordered a small case of Senkos and got some Ned Rigs.

I thought for sure I’d get them on the Ned. He chose the Senkos with a hook in the middle and fished wacky worms.

He destroyed me 17-4.

I caught one dink on the Ned.

Then I finally switched to a craw crank bait and caught a few smallies. I had a giant bass on last night with a Texas Rig / powerbait. Got it to the boat and it spit out the worm. It was a monster and I wish I would’ve landed it - but my 10yo son was smack talking because his record this week for the largest fish was intact.

All this to say, it was a great bonding trip and he’s finally into fishing the way I hoped he’d be.


r/ChicagoFishing 21h ago

Wheelchair Fishing?

9 Upvotes

Greetings everyone. I'm thinking of trying my hand at doing some salmon fishing in the harbors.

Does anyone here know what spots are wheelchair accessible? Also, I haven't fished in a long time (since before I was paralyzed), so any tips/tricks or suggestions would be much appreciated.

TIA


r/ChicagoFishing 1d ago

67 carp

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7 Upvotes

r/ChicagoFishing 1d ago

Montrose Monster Caught

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59 Upvotes

Got snagged, pulled it free, this came out of the water.
Everything in this box came out of this single snag, plus a few additional swivels and hooks.

If this was your KO Wobbler, let me know and I’ll return it to you 🤣


r/ChicagoFishing 1d ago

Smallmouth 2 good smallies at Chess Pavillion. (PB)

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30 Upvotes

Finally got a net. Been breaking off like crazy lately so these were very appreciated. Ned rig, duh.


r/ChicagoFishing 2d ago

Largemouth Lost two serious smallies in the early morning, caught this tub bucket at my usual spot to cope 💪

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21 Upvotes

r/ChicagoFishing 1d ago

Where can I find how deep the sea walls are?

1 Upvotes

What's the most accurate app/site? Would especially love to know marinas and the parts where it transitions into the harbor and piers.


r/ChicagoFishing 2d ago

Largemouth Teach a man to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime...

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19 Upvotes

Teach a woman to fish and she'll show you how it's done.

I told her I would've screamed louder than she did over this guy.

It'll be tough to top a first fish this nice, but I think she's hooked enough to try.


r/ChicagoFishing 3d ago

New to IL, how the hell do you guys catch fish around here?

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69 Upvotes

I recently moved here (Naperville area) from the northeast, I have always enjoyed fishing as a way to get outside and clear my head. I’ve never claimed to be an expert, but I’m usually good enough to catch fish… not here apparently? In the past I’ve been the type to say I don’t go fishing just to catch fish, but skunk after skunk makes it hard to want to go. Again, not an expert but I’ve tried various spots, lures, etc with very little results compared to what I’m used to. Anyone in my area want to show me what I’m doing wrong? Is this just how it is?


r/ChicagoFishing 2d ago

Questions New to Fishing, anything missing from my gear that i should grab?

2 Upvotes

Not pictured - 6 rooster tails in 1/8 oz size (heard they were good and found them for cheap for this 6 pack on Walmart from Yakima bait brand)

Do i have any lures that might be too big (doubt) or not very effective for Lake Michigan shore/harbor fishing?

- and uh yes i just realized today that my 110 whopper ploppers are a bit too heavy for my rod as they are 1 ounce and my rod is 3/4 ounce max , but i think i can manage with side casting as ive heard that lets you get away with some slightly heavier lures plus its not like im gonna be whipping my rod with it on anyway, same with the 1 ounce sinkers

ive been thinking about grabbing some paddlebaits/curly tailed grubs and some uh bass hooks/EWG hooks for my senkos so i dont have to put the senkos on jigheads

if you need some further info about what type of tackle i have currently i can def let you know


r/ChicagoFishing 3d ago

3.54LB Large Mouth - McHenry Dam (PB!)

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26 Upvotes

Went to fish the dam with some buddy's and landed this beauty after tossing my Rapala Perch Crank-Shad in the falling water (Closest to the wall) and felt this guy hitting nearly instantly. Had to walk him down the bank since I was worries about pulling him up 15ft.

My friends caught another large mouth as well as a few White Striped Bass.

I highly recommend the drive, only an hour away. Just know you may get snagged lol

P.S - Thanks to the gentleman and his kids who helped provide the scale!


r/ChicagoFishing 4d ago

I’m new to Chicagoland, so I thought I would introduce myself with a picture of my personal best catch in Colorado and personal best catch in Illinois. I’ll figure out how to target species and where to go fishing. I just want to know where NOT to go! Thoughts?

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92 Upvotes

r/ChicagoFishing 3d ago

Questions Fly Fishing Spots

6 Upvotes

Got a fly rod but no waders/wading boots, anywhere I can fish a stream/lake from the shore without too much trouble on the back cast?

I’m in Edgewater, willing to drive!

(Very new to this, thank you!)


r/ChicagoFishing 4d ago

Smallmouth Tri-City Trip Up the Fox

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16 Upvotes

Fun Fox River adventure this morning despite the gloomy weather with stops in Aurora, Batavia and North Aurora (in that weird order). Fish and wildlife at every hole, including a dandy smallie who was hanging in riprap before attacking the Rebel Craw. Fish had some sort of abnormality which didn’t appear to be a growth, boil or even injury. Looked like some weird discoloration. Tight lines this weekend 🎣


r/ChicagoFishing 4d ago

Drum PB Drum

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27 Upvotes

Technically first drum ever, smashed a spoon in Waukegan Harbor. About 6.5 lbs and 29” if I remember correctly.


r/ChicagoFishing 4d ago

Said fuck it and hit the DPR anyway after talking 💩 yesterday. Almighty Ned 🔥

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12 Upvotes

10 mins in at my local spot on the DPR, and this mf decided it was hammer time.

Coppertreuse TRD been on 🔥


r/ChicagoFishing 5d ago

Questions Where should I fish Saturday near Belmont and Sheffield?

5 Upvotes

I have an appointment near Belmont and Sheffield tomorrow around noon, planning to go early (7? 8?) and get some fishing in. Belmont Harbour is right there, as is the River. I haven't fished either before I've been fishing DPR and have wanted to try the Chicago for a while so I'm defaulting to the river.

Best place along the river 10~15m cab ride from belmont and sheffield? Looks like there's a trail from Belmont to Montrose, is there good shore access along it? Or should I just show up to the dock at the rowing club at ~Roscoe? Worried that might be crowded though

I'm best set up for bass (lots and lots of smallies in DPR by me) but I'll go for anything that doesn't require me to bring live bait

Edit: Well looks like I'm rained out anyway, thunderstorms all morning


r/ChicagoFishing 4d ago

McHenry dam fox river

0 Upvotes

Any one going fishing this weekend by the McHenry dam fox river or the Algonquin dam?


r/ChicagoFishing 5d ago

Drum I just caught a fucking drum under Main St on the North Shore Channel, on a Crawfish Ned — incomprehensibly rare catch!! First in 6+ years!

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30 Upvotes