Salmon: Salmon are starting to be caught on the north side of the city on Glow Spoons and Deep Crankbaits. Montrose and Waukegan have been steady, but expect some random tougher days with the fluctuating water temps. The coming cold nights should make shoreline fishing much more consistent. Boaters are both trolling and jigging in 30-70' with great reports just over the border in Kenosha and Racine.
Panfish: Bluegill have been consistent in most of the Forest Preserve lakes in our area, but size has been more difficult to come by. Most of the better size has come from dense vegetation in lakes like Wolf or Monee Reservoir. If you want to travel, try the Fox Chain or Madison Chain for great size and numbers. Tiny moving baits like Swimbaits have drawn both crappie and bluegill in the last few weeks. Expect that to only get better. Start upsizing your baits as the colder weather comes in to match the bait. 2.5-3" Gulp Minnows are always a great choice. Redworms and Fatheads are also very good right now.
Bass: Smallmouth on the rivers are still proving to be a hidden gem this season. Shallower sections of the Dupage and Kankakee have shown plenty of 2-4 pound smallies on fun techniques all summer. Top Water Poppers, Swimbaits, Jigs, and Spinnerbaits are all solid options right now. Local ponds for Largemouth are also great, just target the heavy vegetation and fish Frogs, Swim Jigs, Senkos, Chatterbaits, and Punch Rigs for consistent fishing all day.
Catfish: Recent reports are still full of numbers and some size from both Braidwood and LaSalle. The fishing will most likely stay this good until the lakes close for the season. Skipjack, Eel, Shad, and Sonny's "Triple S" Cheese Dip Bait have been the go-to choices. The river systems like the Illinois River have been very good, with reports from Morris and Marseilles. There have been a fair number of Flathead reported there as well.