Illinois Fishing Guides & Charters

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Illinois is home to countless fishing lakes, big rivers, and small streams throughout the state and is bordered by the Mississippi River, Ohio River, and Lake Michigan.  Lake Michigan produces consistent quality catches of salmon, trout, and perch and is gaining a reputation as a giant smallmouth bass fishery.  Illinois fishing guides concentrate on largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, musky, and panfish on Illinois’s spectacular inland fishing destinations.

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Types of Illinois Guided Fishing Trips

General Inland

Illinois inland fishing guides generally operate out of walleye or bass style boats.  They take 1-3 people out at a time and are found all over the state.  The big rivers have seasonal runs of sauger, walleye, smallmouth, and white bass.  Cooling lakes are popular hot spots throughout northern Illinois and they produce big fish.  Central and southern Illinois are loaded with quality musky, largemouth bass, and crappie lakes as well as great fishing guides.

Great Lake Charters

Have fun with a few friends aboard an Illinois Lake Michigan charter boat.  Most Illinois fishing charters fish up to 6 anglers and catch coho salmon, steelhead, lake trout, brown trout, king salmon, and perch.  Most Illinois Lake Michigan charters work out of Chicago and Waukegan to the north.

Great Lakes (Small Boat)

Illinois Lake Michigan fishing guides usually fish with up to 3 anglers out of multi-species or smaller charter boats.  Some guides pursue salmon and trout but many of these guides put there clients on jumbo perch and smallmouth bass on Lake Michigan tributaries, breakwaters and areas closer to shore.

Fly Fishing

Illinois fly fishing guides fish on rivers, lakes, and streams throughout Illinois.  Some Illinois streams offer natural trout while Lake Michigan tributaries offer quality seasonal runs on salmon and trout.  Illinois fly fishing guides catch smallmouth bass on the river systems and largemouth bass are popular fly fishing targets on inland Illinois lakes.  Our fly fishing guides can help teach a beginner to cast a fly rod or help a seasoned fly fisherman locate more fish.

Ice Fishing

Illinois ice fishing is dependent on ice conditions.  Northern Illinois offers the best chance of good ice but you should talk to your guide shortly before your trip to be sure to have a safe trip.  These northern lakes offer good fishing for bass, walleye, and panfish when conditions permit.

Popular Illinois Fishing Areas, Lakes, & Ports

Popular Illinois Fish Species