Moving to Chicagoland

[guy3]

Just signed on to the board, and was hoping to get some information about fishing on lake Michigan.

I have lived in the gulf coast all of my life - fishing bays and offshore. I currently run a 26' Sea Cat Long range. It is great for this part of the gulf where we get lots of chop - 2 - 4 foot seas on 5 - 6 second periods. We do some trolling - mostly for billfish or wahoo - and use downrigger occassionally, and drift for bottom fish (snapper and grouper).

We will be moving to Chicago (out near Oswego most likely) and am considering bringing the boat.

I am interested in any info that can help:

1. Are there locations on the water/in a sling to store the boat? What do slip fees run?

2. Are there dry storage or stacks available, and what do they run?

3. Is my cat suited for fishing on lake michigan? I have looked at the marine forecasts and see wave height, but no info on the periods.

4. What kind of season exists for the targeted species?

I am a member of a similar board in Houston (2coolfishing.com), and have always gotten good advice when needed - hoping to find the same here.

Thanks

Guy

[GLF]

Welcome to the site. This is the place to ask questions about fishing on Lake Michigan. This is what all of the members here do. So....ask away!

I am not from the Chicago area so, I can not comment on the slips and storage in Chicago fees.

I am not familiar with your cat, but if it works on the ocean, I am sure it will work here. Alot of people with smaller boats(under 18') will not fish in 3-5' waves. Others with bigger boats will fish in 7-10' waves.The key to trolling will be being able to slow the boat down fast enough. If the motors will not idle slow enough, you can put out drift socks to slow the boat down. They also help take some of the rock out of the boat in rougher water. Ideal idle speed during the sumer is 2.4 - 2.8 mph. In the spring(March/April) you will want to troll at slower speeds.

Salmon fishing generally starts in March and goes all the way to Oct/Nov. They can be caught year around. During the winter months, anglers target the warm water discharge of some of the power plants. Since 9-11 you are not allowed to be within 1,000 yds of a Nuclear plant. Inside the 1,000yds is where the warm water discharge usually is and where the best fishing is.

[Rockfish]

Just signed on to the board, and was hoping to get some information about fishing on lake Michigan.

I have lived in the gulf coast all of my life - fishing bays and offshore. I currently run a 26' Sea Cat Long range. It is great for this part of the gulf where we get lots of chop - 2 - 4 foot seas on 5 - 6 second periods. We do some trolling - mostly for billfish or wahoo - and use downrigger occassionally, and drift for bottom fish (snapper and grouper).

We will be moving to Chicago (out near Oswego most likely) and am considering bringing the boat.

I am interested in any info that can help:

1. Are there locations on the water/in a sling to store the boat? What do slip fees run?

2. Are there dry storage or stacks available, and what do they run?

3. Is my cat suited for fishing on lake michigan? I have looked at the marine forecasts and see wave height, but no info on the periods.

4. What kind of season exists for the targeted species?

I am a member of a similar board in Houston (2coolfishing.com), and have always gotten good advice when needed - hoping to find the same here.

Thanks

Guy

Welcome to the site Guy 3.

Lets see , to do some salmon fishing on the big pond I would recomend North Point Marina. Slips there range from 2000 and up for the year . I have no clue if there is a waiting list also .

Here is the link http://www.npmonline.com/

Next i would go to Waukengan Harbor.

http://www.lrc.usace.army.mil/co-o/Wauk_Hbr.htm

I know it might be a drive from your house but the fishing is best there all year .

Good Luck

rockfish