FishKillFlea Illinois may surprise you — with Lake Michigan shoreline, the mighty Mississippi, thousands of farm ponds, and excellent southern Illinois wilderness, the Prairie State delivers diverse fishing opportunities across every region.
Chicago & Lake Michigan Fishing
- Chicago lakefront harbors: Burnham Harbor, DuSable Harbor — salmon, steelhead, perch, and Bass from piers and breakwalls. Urban fishing at its finest.
- Montrose Harbor: Walk-in access to Lake Michigan salmon and perch. One of the best urban fishing spots in the Midwest.
- Waukegan Harbor: Charter boats for king salmon, coho, lake trout, and steelhead. Prime June–September.
- North Point Marina: Largest marina on Lake Michigan. Salmon charters and shore fishing.
Top Inland Lakes
| Lake | Region | Best Species | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rend Lake | Southern IL | Largemouth bass, crappie | 18,900 acres — IL's #1 bass lake |
| Lake Shelbyville | Central IL | Crappie, channel catfish | 11,100 acres, excellent crappie |
| Fox Chain of Lakes | NW suburbs | Musky, walleye, panfish | 7 connected lakes near Chicago |
| Carlyle Lake | Southern IL | Largemouth bass, white bass | Largest man-made lake in IL (26,000 ac) |
| Lake Clinton | Central IL | Largemouth bass, catfish | Warm-water discharge — year-round action |
Mississippi River
- Pool 16–19 (Quad Cities): Excellent walleye, sauger, and channel catfish. Lock and dam tailwaters are hotspots.
- Pool 25–26 (St. Louis metro): Blue catfish (trophy class, 50+ lbs), flathead catfish, and sauger.
Southern Illinois Gems
- Kinkaid Lake: Clear Ozark-style lake with trophy musky, largemouth bass, and channel catfish.
- Crab Orchard Lake: Part of the Crab Orchard NWR — excellent crappie and catfish.
- Little Grassy Lake: Crystal-clear water with largemouth bass and bluegill. Scenic and uncrowded.
Seasonal Fishing Guide for Illinois
| Season | Best Fishing | Top Spots |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Crappie spawn, bass pre-spawn, trout stocking | Shelbyville, Rend Lake, stocked streams |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Lake MI salmon, catfish, bass | Chicago lakefront, Carlyle, Mississippi |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Fall bass, musky, salmon runs | Fox Chain, Kinkaid, Waukegan charters |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Ice fishing (north), winter catfish | Fox Chain ice, warm-water discharges |
Get your IL fishing license and explore Prairie State waters →