South Shore Fishing Guide

The South Shore is a bucket-list destination for anglers across the country, offering an array of popular sport fish.

See the guide below for information on what's biting when and where! You can also check out our Top 10 Fishing Spots blog to help plan your outing.

Just a short drive from Chicago, Northwest Indiana’s geography creates a unique selection of waterways suitable for any type of fishing experience. Whether you are on the vast expanse of Lake Michigan, in a kayak on a serene pond or river, or shore fishing on a pier or creekside, the South Shore provides excellent fishing opportunities year-round.

Year-Round Angling Adventures

Salmonoid Species

Lake Michigan and its tributaries offer different salmon and steelhead runs throughout the year. Chinook and coho salmon are most productive in the spring and fall but can be caught year-round.

There is a steelhead run from November to March, while the Skamania steelhead run occurs from mid-July to mid-October.

March and April are prime months to catch a big brown trout, especially near warm water discharges along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Rainbow trout and lake trout are also consistently caught in this area.

If you are fishing for any of these species, be sure to obtain a trout/salmon stamp in addition to your fishing license. 
 

Smallmouth Bass

Spring Smallmouth on Lake Michigan is a thing. As they say, “If you know, you know.” Smallmouth bass are active from spring through summer and into fall.
 

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass are undoubtedly a popular fish to catch during warmer months.
 

Striped Bass and Hybrid-Striped Bass

Striped bass and hybrid striped bass, also known as wipers, are active in the warmer months. Wipers are a cross between Striped Bass and White Bass and were bred to be more resilient in the inland waters when temperatures soar in the hottest months. 
 

Walleye

The walleye is a cooler-water fish and spring is the ideal time to catch them when they move into shallower waters to spawn. Water temperature plays an important factor with walleye, and if you can find them in a deeper water column, you can catch them through the summer and fall, too.
 

Pike and Muskellunge 

Pike and muskies are cooler water fish. Spring and fall are the most productive times to fish for them, though pike fishing is pretty good throughout the year. In the heat of summer, pike prefer cooler and deeper water, so you’ll have the best luck early in the morning or late in the evening, avoiding the hours of peak sunlight. 
 

Catfish

Catfish of all different sizes can be caught in the rivers and lakes during the summer months. 
 

Panfish

Panfish like crappie, bluegill, sunfish, perch and rock bass are also abundant in this area. 
 

Charter Fishing

Catch Lake Michigan’s salmon, steelhead, brown trout and lake trout with Indiana’s top charter fishing fleet! Multi-day and large group trips are available. Book a trip with a seasoned captain from Indiana's North Coast Charter Association, where you’ll find a perfect fit for your group. All captains are U.S. Coast Guard licensed, and boats are annually inspected by the Indiana DNR for safety and maintenance. Most importantly, the captains are passionate about fishing and dedicated to helping you land a big catch!

Learn more about Charter Fishing on Lake Michigan here.