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**Click here for winter pier fishing info for Chicago
Here are the most popular public access areas of the Illinois waters Lake Michigan for shore fishermen. Please note that all of the public access areas within the city of Chicago are owned and under the authority of the Chicago Park District. Please check with the Park District for any and all special rules or regulations that exist.
If you've never fished Lake Michigan around downtown Chicago, your missing out on one of the most unique fishing experiences ever. Imagine catching Coho like your best Lake Erie or northern Walleye trip, or hooking onto a King Salmon as big, or bigger than your best Northern or Muskie, or catching Perch like your best Crappie or White Bass days. Whether your fishing from a charter boat or on the shore, all of this is possible in the shadows of some of the biggest skyscrapers in the world.
Spring Coho and fall Kings are the most popular sought after fish, but with a vast variety of species and structure, the Illinois waters of Lake Michigan is a true year round fishery.
Winter Pier Fishing Info For Chicago
A Chicago Harbor Dock Fishing Access Permit is needed to fish on select Chicago Park District Piers. The permits cost
$5.50 each, and can be purchased at Henry's Sports and Bait located at 31st St. and Canal (312) 225-8538. The permits are good for the following
harbors piers ONLY:
Belmont - I, H and D
Burnham - B, C and E
Diversey - F and H
DuSable - B, E and H
Montrose - B, D, E and N
Lake Michigan Access Areas In Illinois
20 Listings
To create your own map, visit MapQuest.com
South Harbors North Harbors
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Location:
Just South of Calumet Park, the power plant can be accessed from the old Falstaff road at the corner of 103rd &
Ewing, or from the Horseshoe Casino exit on Indianapolis Blvd. Access is by
the Whihala Beach entrance.
Walk the rocks to the corner, then around to the discharge.
Special Notes:
Parking is available just outside of the main gate. Fishermen must walk along the rocks to get to the discharge area.
BE ADVISED: Although the power plant is located on Illinois land, the water is considered to be in Indiana, and therefore a valid Indiana fishing license in required.
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Location:
95th & Ewing.
Special Notes:
A U.S. Coast Guard Station is located within the park, which also has a beach and 3 boat launches.
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Location:
92nd and Ewing. - Best best is to use 95th St., and turn South on Ewing.
Special Note:
This is a year round spot for perch and the occasional smallie. The bridge is located just West of the mouth of Calumet Harbor, and can be very active at times by both barges and Anglers. Check with the locals as to what restrictions may be enforced. We have fished the North bank in the past, but I've been told that others have since been restricted from fishing there. If allowed, anything goes, as you are closer to the water and able to use a net.
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Location:
Approximately 67th & Lake Shore Drive, just north of the Museum of Science and Industry.
Special Notes:
This Chicago Park District Harbor also has a "lagoon" connected it, and has been known to give up a few largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, crappie, as well as northern pike. The are two boat launches available.
This Chicago Park District Harbor also has a "lagoon" connected it, and has been known to give up a few largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, crappie, as well as northern pike. The are two boat launches available.
Jackson Park is very popular in the fall for snaggers trying to land giant Kings, as well as for those who choose to stick with the old hook and line method.
Check our Chicago Park
District Waters page for more details.
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There are several areas between McCormick Place and the Museum of Science and Industry where anglers can access Lake Michigan. These areas are parks, as there are no harbors between Burnham and Jackson Park. The most popular areas are 31st St., 39th St. and 59th St
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Location:
On Northerly Island in Downtown Chicago. The Field Museum, The Adler Planetarium, and the John G. Shedd Aquarium. Access is possible by following the "Museum Campus" signs along Lake Shore Drive.
Special Notes:
The harbor has a total of 6 boat launches, 3 on the east side (shown above), and 3 on the west. Burnham Harbor is very popular for both smelt and ice fishermen.
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Location:
On Northerly Island in Downtown Chicago, which is also home to Meigs Field, The Field Museum, The Adler Planetarium, and the John G. Shedd Aquarium. Access is possible by following the "Museum Campus" signs along Lake Shore Drive.
Special Notes:
This area is very popular during the fall King Salmon (Chinook) run. Open water access to the lake is along the north end of the Drive, which was
rehabbed nicely within the last year or two. Fishing behind the Planetarium is no longer possible due to the expansion of the Planetarium, and curfew restrictions are heavily enforced by the Chicago Police Dept. at 11:00 pm.
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Location:
100 South on Lake Shore Drive.
Special Notes:
Shore fishing is usually allowed along the west shoreline, although there is no parking available. Columbus Drive has metered parking (watch for special events), and there is parking available in the underground garage and the museum campus. Fishing within the outer portion of the harbor is somewhat restricted and harder to gain access to. It is best to fish with someone who is familiar with the area.
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Location:
Illinois St. and the Lakefront.
Special Notes:
Exit Illinois St. from Lake Shore Drive. The Pier has changed greatly over the years
since the days when
Rocky's was a popular spot. Parking is restricted to the pay lot in and out side of the facility. As a courtesy to fishermen with a valid Illinois Fishing License, the parking fee is only $3 if the Angler leaves the lot
BY 10:00 am. Year round fishing is available, as many Perchmen break the ice with a variety of tools and contraptions, allowing them to fish through the ice.
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Location:
2021 N. Stockton.
Special Notes:
Lincoln Park has 1 lagoon, and 1 pond as well. Metered parking is available throughout the park, and pay lots are abundant in the areas immediately surrounding the park. Lincoln Park is very popular in the fall for
snaggers trying to land giant Kings, as well as for those who choose to stick with the old hook and line method.
Check our Chicago Park
District Waters page for more details.
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Location:
2800 North on Lake Shore Drive.
Special Notes:
3 Boat Launches are available. Shore fishing is permitted on the North and East ends of the harbor.
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Location:
3200 North on Lake Shore Drive.
Special Notes:
Shore fishing is permitted along the West end of the harbor, and in one small
section on the North and another on the South.
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Location:
4400 North on Lake Shore Drive.
Special Notes:
Known as the "horseshoe", Montrose harbor has 3 boat launches, and is popular for every style of Angling on Lake Michigan. It is one of the most popular spots for
power liners, as they have plenty of open water in and around the mouth of the harbor, and even more room along the
outer shoreline. Fishing is permitted on the North and West ends of the inner harbor, as well as on the East bank of the mouth.
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Location:
On Sheridan Road at the mouth of the North Shore Sanitary Canal (just north of Linden Street in Wilmette).
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Location:
Off of Madison St., East of Pershing Rd.
East (Left) on Madison St.
Special Notes:
The harbor has 3 primary spots for fishing: Government Pier, the Waukegan Marina, and along
the South Rocks.
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Location:
Off of Waukegan Beach, at Sea Horse Dr.
Special Notes:
An older pier located in an area that produces a lot of fish.
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Location:
On Greenwood Ave. East of Sheridan Rd.
Special Notes:
This is a warm water discharge plant that is available for year round fishing.
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Location:
On Sheridan Rd. East of Tower Rd.
Special Notes:
The immediate area has several fishing spots: Tower Rd. Beach, Lloyd Park, and Maple St. Park.
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Location:
Lake Front, Zion, IL 60099 - (847) 662-4828
Special Notes:
Park Hours: Sunrise - 8:00 PM
Fishing is allowed along the beachfront, as well as several small fishing ponds, including Sand Pond, where a fishing pier for the disabled is available. Fishing is NOT allowed in the nature preserve. Check the Illinois Inland Waters section of this site for detailed information regarding this State Park.
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Location:
On 7th St., East of Sheridan Rd. in Winthrop Harbor. Just south of the Illinois/Wisconsin boarder.
Special Notes:
North Point Marina has 10 boat launches available.