Fresh Illinois Fishing Reports

Donโ€™t miss whatโ€™s biting. Check out the latest catches from local anglers.

Destination Banner

Top Illinois Destinations

Fishing Seasons & Latest Fishing Photos

Fresh Fishing Reports from Illinois

TOURNAMENT WINNER: ANOTHER GRAND SLAM 5
TOURNAMENT WINNER: ANOTHER GRAND SLAM 5
June 20, 2025
Hello, my efforts at all of the little things and dialing in the boat are beginning to pay off. On Monday June 16, 2025, THE Top Dog and his crew (Captain Mike Shine & Tony Boshold) beat a field of seasoned Captains and others in the annual Zillion fishing tournament held out of Belmont Harbor. We caught all 5 species of fish Brown Trout, King Salmon, Coho or Silver Salmon, Lake Trout and Skamania steelhead or Rainbow Trout, to take first place. We also won for catching the largest King Salmon. Our plan came together on the right day and we smoked the field. One veteran Captain stated that he had been doing this tournament since 2012 and that a boat had never gotten all five species since he's been doing it. So we are grateful to the Dragon fly (that came and landed on my hand and gave us a little positive luck), and of course to the fish gods we take a bow! We started at the R4 where surface water and down temps appeared perfect, and the fish were there and biting. We fished 50 to 80 FOW made a couple turns around the R4 and then headed east to deeper water to search for big Lake Trout and Rainbows (90 to 120 FOW) where we found both. We had our catch by 10:30 am and only needed to upgrade, which we did on the Lake Trout. We went back to the R4 on Wednesday and in a couple hours 2 of us, boated 8 coho, again today (Friday morning) we were 9 for about 13, 8 coho and 1 Rainbow. NBK, stubby dodgers, and moonshine lures were all good. Fish were biting from surface down to 50 feet. However the surface water temp is getting very warm, I'm sure it will push the majority of fish deeper soon, unless cooler water gets pushed in? Good luck out there and remember safety is number one.
Continue reading

Illinois Fishing Calendar

Loading Fish Calendar!
Please Wait...

What anglers said about fishing in Illinois

Highly recommend this boat and captain. Very professional and really made my family feel very comfortable and enjoyed the entire trip.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Highly recommend this boat and captain. Very professional and really made my family feel very comfortable and enjoyed the entire trip.
GO-FOR-IT  Charters
GO-FOR-IT Charters
We actually changed and went out of Kenosha, WI. and Iโ€™m glad we did. We stayed a night in Kenosha and the food was great (not expensive) we stayed at The Stella 5 minutes from the docks and the rooms were really nice. It was my first time out Kenosha and Iโ€™m glad we changed marinas because the fish were biting better in that part of the water than near Winthrop Harbor or so said the reports.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
We actually changed and went out of Kenosha, WI. and Iโ€™m glad we did. We stayed a night in Kenosha and the food was great (not expensive) we stayed at The Stella 5 minutes from the docks and the rooms were really nice. It was my first time out Kenosha and Iโ€™m glad we changed marinas because the fish were biting better in that part of the water than near Winthrop Harbor or so said the reports.
Twenty Four VII Charters
Twenty Four VII Charters
As Shawn described it, spring is faster action but fall brings bigger fish and more variety of species. We found that to be true.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
As Shawn described it, spring is faster action but fall brings bigger fish and more variety of species. We found that to be true.
Breezy 1 Sportfishing
Breezy 1 Sportfishing
Take the early morning fishing trip. Fish are hungrier in am. Bring water and snacks. Enjoyed being in Waukegan!
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Take the early morning fishing trip. Fish are hungrier in am. Bring water and snacks. Enjoyed being in Waukegan!
Long Gone 3 Charters
Long Gone 3 Charters
We had an afternoon trip and had low expectations. We caught 18 fish between the 6 of us. This exceeded my expectations!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
We had an afternoon trip and had low expectations. We caught 18 fish between the 6 of us. This exceeded my expectations!
Breezy 1 Sportfishing
Breezy 1 Sportfishing
Listen to the captain on the proper way to reel in your catch and have him show you the proper technique!!! Also, be ready to get a workout, cause you're going to use muscles in your body you forgot you had to bring in your catch!!!! You'll have a great time!!!!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Listen to the captain on the proper way to reel in your catch and have him show you the proper technique!!! Also, be ready to get a workout, cause you're going to use muscles in your body you forgot you had to bring in your catch!!!! You'll have a great time!!!!
Top Dog Charters
Top Dog Charters
As we know, the July heat can be brutal and ruin a fishing trip. Having a knowledgeable Captain that knows the lake makes all the difference in the world. We had that type of captain in Jeff Atchison.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
As we know, the July heat can be brutal and ruin a fishing trip. Having a knowledgeable Captain that knows the lake makes all the difference in the world. We had that type of captain in Jeff Atchison.
Rend Lake โ€“ Lakeside Guide Services
Rend Lake โ€“ Lakeside Guide Services
Be on time to the dock because that timing makes a difference on the amount of fish you potentially can catch.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Be on time to the dock because that timing makes a difference on the amount of fish you potentially can catch.
Massive Confusion Charters
Massive Confusion Charters
Long pants might not be a bad idea as there may be some annoying flies landing on you if there is no wind and you are close to shore.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Long pants might not be a bad idea as there may be some annoying flies landing on you if there is no wind and you are close to shore.
Jawz-on Charter Services 36 foot
Jawz-on Charter Services 36 foot
Go with a quality charter. Fishing can get tough in mid June as the water temperature starts to increase.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Go with a quality charter. Fishing can get tough in mid June as the water temperature starts to increase.
Top Dog Charters
Top Dog Charters
If youโ€™re fishing this area, plan for morning or evening if you want the best bite. Afternoon is always less predictable.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
If youโ€™re fishing this area, plan for morning or evening if you want the best bite. Afternoon is always less predictable.
Jawz-on Charter Services 36 foot
Jawz-on Charter Services 36 foot
Our first trip which we started at 10am. Now that we know what to expect, our next booking will be an early morning time slot.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Our first trip which we started at 10am. Now that we know what to expect, our next booking will be an early morning time slot.
Xtasea IV Charters
Xtasea IV Charters
Make sure you put bug spray, sunscreen before you get in the boat! We learned that the smell of it can deter fish as they are very sensitive to scents Who knew! Also highly recommend a jacket or sweater, while the sun was out not too bad but the breeze was chilly!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Make sure you put bug spray, sunscreen before you get in the boat! We learned that the smell of it can deter fish as they are very sensitive to scents Who knew! Also highly recommend a jacket or sweater, while the sun was out not too bad but the breeze was chilly!
Top Dog Charters
Top Dog Charters
Go with the best. It is so worth having an experienced Captain,great equipment, and good weather don't hurt either.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Go with the best. It is so worth having an experienced Captain,great equipment, and good weather don't hurt either.
Jawz-on Charter Services 36 foot
Jawz-on Charter Services 36 foot
Morning trip is great, highly recommend using Jawzon Fishing Charter while in Waukegan.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Morning trip is great, highly recommend using Jawzon Fishing Charter while in Waukegan.
Jawz-on Charter Services 36 foot
Jawz-on Charter Services 36 foot
Go expecting the best time ever! Pack snacks and plenty to drink for the kids. Bring joy to the boat and you'll enjoy this memorable experience for the rest of your days!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Go expecting the best time ever! Pack snacks and plenty to drink for the kids. Bring joy to the boat and you'll enjoy this memorable experience for the rest of your days!
Book Me A Boat โ€“ 39' Flybridge
Book Me A Boat โ€“ 39' Flybridge
Be patient, listen to the captain and just enjoy the thrill of landing a big one!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Be patient, listen to the captain and just enjoy the thrill of landing a big one!
Long Gone 3 Charters
Long Gone 3 Charters
It all depends on the weather, just like anything else, but if the fish are there, you'll get them
Excellent
5.0 / 5
It all depends on the weather, just like anything else, but if the fish are there, you'll get them
Abby Fishing Charters
Abby Fishing Charters Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Realize the 10 a.m. trip probably wonโ€™t get you as many fish as the early morning trip.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Realize the 10 a.m. trip probably wonโ€™t get you as many fish as the early morning trip.
Kinn's Sport Fishing - Winthrop 36'
Kinn's Sport Fishing - Winthrop 36'
Water temperature greatly affects spawning, so contact your guide on advice help choose best time to book trip.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Water temperature greatly affects spawning, so contact your guide on advice help choose best time to book trip.
3 Pound Fishing Guide Service โ€“ Lake of Egypt
3 Pound Fishing Guide Service โ€“ Lake of Egypt