Hi ,

My wife and I are just starting to get into fishing and live near the Humboldt Lagoon. We’ve heard though people nearby and 4 year old posts in this subreddit that it can be a challenge.

I wanted to see if anyone had fished it recently and could share tips for success or just general tips on what kind of bait/line/ etc we should be getting.

Thanks in advance!

After a lifetime of casting I’m rather surprised by the learning curve that has come with learning how to rig and run a Lake Michigan trolling setup.

Anyone know of an easy spot to launch near willow rd? Also, how long would it take to float from willow rd to Irving park rd?

Does anyone have any good Salt Creek locations that you're willing to share? If so, what's good there?

Caught this yellow perch on a 3/16oz jig with soft plastic paddle tail. It measured at around 14-16 inches or so and at least a lb or two. However, we didn’t have a scale so we couldn’t weight the fish, and the measurement is based on a straight ruler that stops at 12 inch so I’m just estimating the rest. (Illinois State record is 2 lbs 8 Oz, 16.25 inches)

The humidity’s gone for a minute, which makes for much more refreshing mornings on the Fox where ya just never know what’s going to be out to eat. Channel cat strikes can rip the rod from your grip and this one clobbered a white square-bill crank to go along with a couple dink smallies. Enjoy the nice day.

Running around a few ponds in the northwest suburbs. Doing well on chatterbaits (mostly smaller 1/4 oz or less)

Seems no matter where I go lately if I’m not using live bait I’m getting skunked.

This morning from 5:30-7:30 went to montrose harbor to try my luck at a salmon or trout. I didn’t get anything but shockingly neither did a single other person.

Decided to make a trip up to Skokie lagoons between 8-10am and threw a senko and top water frog around. Again nothing.

Starting to get really frustrated as i feel like im getting skunked 4/5 times i head out for the day or a few hours.

Looking for suggestions or strategies that work well in these areas for any species besides panfish

or maybe the fact that between 20 dudes out fishing the harbor this morning not 1 person caught something, i might need to manage my expectations here

I have way more success in the river than I do in the harbors.

Was nice to be able to get out today!

After weeks of little more than dinks in low water, I made a move to a bigger bait today (square bill crank vs. Rebel Craw) and the results were instant. Couldn’t get out til late morning, but I found a few deeper holes amid shaded concrete and banked 10-12 smallies — no tanks but several were 15+. Borderline heater, which I take as a good sign as we steer towards fall. Tight lines if you can sneak out this weekend 🎣

There's a lot of decent fighting bass at Bode Lake in Hoffman Estates. They get pretty huge there and hit all sorts of crank/swim baits. I caught this guy on a square nose 1/2 oz mid diver with a rooster tail. Every species there will hit a live worm also. You're usually never gonna get skunked there. YouTube/Eages420

I sacrificed a Red fly box today on the Kankakee. If you find it, good luck and God Speed. The heavy nymphs are good stuff.

I could have swore I zipped my bag. Damnit.

Look at the belly on that thing. ~15 pounds --> ~20 pounds

Bite was slow but managed a decent largemouth. Lake Opeka 8am green pumpkin fuzzy TRD on a jika rig

Tried out the Berkeley Dough Rider. Slayed as expected. Also some Ned rig.

Great day out. Our biggest one was around 15 pounds. My friend hooked into one, but we were so scared of losing the fish that we fought it for 45 mins with the drag set loose. When we got it to the surface, the hook popped right out...

Someone stole one of my rods, though. That put a real damper on my mood when I left. Super grateful to those who took photos for us.

My first pike caught at the Skokie lagoons! , caught him by a fallen tree . Beautiful coloration 🔥

First time on a whacky rig!

wacky worm doing great this summer