Salmon/Trout: Many reports of Brown Trout along the lakefront currently at practically every harbor from Port Washington to Portage. Steelhead seem to be getting ready to push in, as numbers of fish from an early run have been caught in Salt Creek over the course of the last week. Kings are still present, but the frequency of catches is starting to slow around Chicago. However, the bite is still consistent around the southern Wisconsin harbors. Drifting Spawn, and Winding Deep Crankbaits like a Reef Runner 800 or Bandit Walleye Deep have been producing the best results recently. Although, we have heard about a good small swimbait bite for the Steelhead and Browns.
Perch: The occasional report has made its way to us over the last few weeks. Perch have been present on the river around Torrence, although it's not quite time yet. Expect the offshore rock at Gary to be one of the first areas to heat up in the coming weeks. Steelworkers Park should also be a good early indicator of the Perch season. Perch Pounders tipped with Minnows, Small Jigging Spoons like Kastmasters, and Drop Shot Rigs with 2-3" Keitech Easy Shiners have all been staples over the last few years, so expect these to be good options for this season as well.
Bass: Recent cold fronts have made for some very good bass fishing across Chicagoland. Largemouth fishing has been great at many Forest Preserves with Rock Run Rookery, Bullfrog Lake, Papoose, and many others offering consistent fishing. Definitely fish your local retention ponds, as they have produced great catches too. The Kankakee and DuPage rivers are good for smallmouth right now along with Lake Michigan. Throw a variety of baits to have the most success this time of year. Moving baits like Crankbaits, Swimbaits, and Spinnerbaits are a great way to cover water and get lots of bites. Then slow it down with a Jig, or Shakey Head to clean up. Medium Roach Minnows, and Smaller Suckers are great live bait options too.
Panfish: As with the Bass, Bluegill and Crappie are picking up significantly following the cold moving in. Monee Reservoir, Tampier, Lemont Quarries, Wolf Lake, and the Fox Chain have been consistent options to catch both species. Some anglers have taken recent trips to Southern Illinois, and the fishing has also been good as to be expected. Try targeting larger Crappie by using Small Swimbaits on a Bare Jig or paired with an Underspin. Conventional baits like Minnows, Redworms, Waxworms, and Soft Plastics from Bobby Garland, Brushpile, and Berkley Gulp Alive are all great options for Bluegill and Crappie.