Chicago Perch Fishing: The Annual Panfish Bonanza In The Big City

Each November, yellow perch in southern Lake Michigan show up along the shoreline of Chicago. Finding their ways to harbors, shipping canals, and the Calumet River. Like Vin Diesel, the Chicago perch fishing scene is fast and furious usually turning on and off like a light switch.

The perch comes with such abundance that lip locked anglers who normally wouldn't tell you their favorite color quickly turn into gossip queens sharing specific locations, results, and tactics across Chicago fishing forums.

Once the word spreads, anglers from across the city show up in droves hoping to get their hands on the tasty perch. On a banner day, you can see over 100 people from all walks of life lined up alongside each other bringing in perch hand over fist. It's one of those deals when it's good; it's really good.

This unique fishing landscape, diverse community of anglers, and time-sensitive fishing window make Chicago perch fishing unlike any other panfish scene in the country.

Dale Bowman of the Chicago Sun-Times joined me for a 30-minute conversation covering Chicago Perch fishing along with a bonus conversation about suburban newspapers.

Thank you Dale for providing Chicago with over 30 years of quality journalism and fishing reports. You've inspired me and countless others to spend more time outside.