Lake Michigan Fly Fishing Guides

Illinois has some wonderful fly fishing opportunities. Of course, Lake Michigan fly fishing reigns supreme, but there are also a number of lakes and rivers with some great angling action. Also, because of an active fishing program, many neighborhood ponds and waters in state parks are stocked and carefully managed. No matter what type of fish you want to catch on the fly, there’s an Illinois fly fishing guide ready to help. Trout Fishing in Illinois Illinois anglers have at their disposal the cold waters of Lake Michigan, home to many fish species. The state record rainbow trout (31 pounds, 7 ounces), brown trout (36 pounds, 11 ounces), brook trout (7 pounds, 5 ounces), lake trout (38 pounds, 4 ounces), and tiger trout (8 pounds, 12.5 ounces) were all caught in the huge lake. Lake Michigan fly fishing charters are readily available. The Illinois DNR stocks catchable-size rainbow trout in many lakes and small community ponds across the state. Some of these include Lake of the Woods, Axehead Lake, Siloam Springs State Park Lake, the campus pond at East Illinois University, Balleau Lake, Manners Park Pond, Mill Race Pond, Silver Lake, Mount Vernon Game Farm Pond, Sand Lake, Banana Lake, Wyman Lake, Lake Atwood, Jones Park Lake, and Washington Park Pond. Rivers and streams that receive trout are Kent Creek, Waddams Creek, Yellow Creek, Piscasaw Creek, Rock Creek, the Apple River, and Pine Creek.

Lake Michigan the Fishing Paradise

The winter blues are getting me down so I must reminisce about days gone by. My first thoughts go right to the Big water of Lake Michigan and April when the seasons changes are taking place. The warming temperatures are soothing my soul. The thought of the boats maiden voyage and the words fish on are bringing life back into these blue days of winter. I can picture pulling the lines from the boat and backing out of the slip as the anticipations are getting thicker and thicker. My first exposure of the year to the scents and rhythmic waves of our Great Lakes. As we go under the overpass and can see that even the Railroad Trestle is open, now I know this is a dream. No waiting today. As the pier comes into view I can see people fishing with the same anticipations I’m having. The smell enters my senses like pulling into the driveway and the wife has after a long day a field who just happens to be grilling steaks on the barby. It’s almost intoxicating. The winds are calm and the sun is heating up my face as I turn to look at one of the pier fisherman with a nice battle going. As the Throttle goes forward and the Bow of the boat gently raises from the water I feel the power at my hands and drop the hammer. As I make a portside turn and bring the boat parallel to shore the Sea gulls are diving into my prop wash so I bring the throttle back and bring it down to trolling speed. As I start setting the flatlines with Rapalas and Thin fins, before I can even get the first rod in the holder the words fish-on ring loud and clear from one of the other crew. A beautiful spring Coho will soon be at hand. The smell of salmon on my hands and in the boat, again bring a soothing feelings to my soul. Spring will be here soon and I needed these thoughts.

Lake Michigan Chinook Salmon Fishing Tips

Big Chinook Salmon are a cold water species so look for them in temperatures below 45 degrees. The exception is when they come into spawn. At this point in their life temperature is not important. Keep your baits in 45-degree temperature and you will increase your odds on big fish. Chinook salmon in the twelve to seventeen pound class are a regular part of most trips. The big hogs over twenty five pounds are not as common as they used to be. It requires a special attitude on your part to target a wall hanger. Leadcore is another good choice. A weighted line with a fluorocarbon leader is attached to a planer board. The planer board is run well off to the side of the boat out of the travel path. Leadcore is graduated to allow five feet of depth for every color. Five colors will run lures approximately 25 feet down 10 colors fifty feet and so on. This allows you to fish any depth you want and is a killer for huge kings. Several methods are used for salmon trolling. Downriggers are a popular method to run tackle with many variations possible. In sunny conditions increase your downrigger leads to 100 feet or more. By running long leads you work water undisturbed by noise and turbulence of the boat.

Chinook live four and a half years and it makes sense that they will be the biggest at the end of their life cycle. These monsters will be the most aggressive and easiest to get in the months of July thru September. I have produced Kings over twenty pounds in April, although this is the exception to the rule.

Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan, the second largest Great Lake by volume with just under 1,180 cubic miles of water, is the only Great Lake entirely within the United States.  Approximately 118 miles wide and 307 miles long, Lake Michigan has more than 1,600 miles of shoreline. Averaging 279 feet in depth, the lake reaches 925 feet at its deepest point.  The northern tier of Lake Michigan is in the colder, less developed upper Great Lakes region, while its more temperate southern basin contains the Milwaukee and Chicago metropolitan areas. Lake Michigan is the 5th largest lake in the world. Almost 100 species of fish have been recorded in Lake Michigan, besides its world - class trout and salmon fisheries, the lake also supports substantial commercial whitefish, walleye, large and smallmouth bass, steelhead and yellow perch fisheries.  Lake Michigan Fishing Charters are your best and safest bet to enjoy an incredible Lake Michigan Fishing experience.