Waukegan, Illinois is located just about an hour drive from Chicago. This can only mean one thing — Waukegan fishing charters are right in Chicago’s backyard. But the “Windy City” clearly doesn’t hold the monopoly for the best fishing in Illinois.

The fifth-largest city in the state is blessed with natural dunes, sandy shorelines, migratory hawks, and other wonderful wildlife. Even the wind direction, water temperatures, geographic location, and fish migrations are as good as they could be. But in order to fully grasp Waukegan’s beauty, you need to experience it from the water.

Waukegan fishing spots

Lake Michigan

Waukegan fishing charters offer less boat traffic and more time to have fun with your rod and reel than the majority of other ports around. Lake Michigan’s western shore opens its arms to Coho Salmon early in spring, which can sometimes show up in April. While all local enthusiasts and Salmon lovers rush to get their first catch of the season, many other fishermen go for a mixed bag. The beginning of the season offers great Brown Trout and Lake Trout action in the nearshore waters.

Perch fishing charters are another thing all the locals absolutely adore since they offer consistent action. April and May are the best time to catch Jumbo Yellow Perch. Fishing starts up sometime in the middle of April and goes through October. However, the season closes down for a month in July.

As May progresses into June, captains begin to run to the rigs and overlapping waters for Chinook “King” Salmon and Lake Trout. Acrobatic Steelhead join the gang too to make sure you’re able to catch all the best Salmon and Trout species Lake Michigan has to offer. Later in summer, Brown Trout can also be available in good numbers.

As Waukegan fishing charters approach the fall months, the transition time begins. Locals call this time of year the best season to be on the water. Offshore rock structures and reefs hold Lake Trout, and non-spawning Chinook, Brown Trout, and Steelhead make the bulk of the catches.

Waukegan Harbor

Waukegan Harbor is a great place to begin your Lake Michigan fishing adventure. You can wet a line right from shore or hop aboard the Harbor’s many boats and venture out for a dose of Salmon and Trout. Waukegan Harbor is located in close proximity to nearshore and offshore structures. It’s not too far south or north so the fishing grounds are just a stone's throw from shore.

Waukegan fishing techniques

Lake Michigan trolling

Knowing that Coho Salmon are famous for their death rolls and jumps, you would want to use light tackle to fully enjoy the experience. Early in the season, your guide will troll crankbaits. Salmon are closer to shore and follow baitfish in the shallows. As the water warms up in May, you can begin trolling with planer boards and run orange peanut flies.

Lake Michigan trolling basics include lures, fisher and fly combos, crank baits, plugs, and trolling spoons, which play on Salmon’s finely-tuned sense of sight. Waukegan fishing charters will normally include trolling with downriggers, dipsy divers, and planer boards.

Lake Trout charters are also done by trolling. Lakers are found nearshore in spring and fall and a bit further out during the summer months. They can be caught while fishing for Steelhead offshore or near the bottom on structures and drop-offs.

Pier fishing

Head to the Government Pier for Salmon, Smelt, Trout, and Perch. Steelhead bite best when the Lake fishing season is over, along with Brown Trout. Cast spoons, lures, or jigs and try tightline and bobber fishing when there’s not too much traffic.

Need to know

To fish the Waukegan waters, you will need to purchase an Illinois Fishing License with a Salmon stamp.

If you come without a stamp, it will heavily reduce the amount of fish you can catch. Resident and Non-Resident licenses are available along with a 24 Hour Sport Fishing ones.