Today's Best Fishing Times for
Waukegan, United States ðŸ‡ºðŸ‡¸

Solunar
Weather
7-Day
Spots

How to use our fishing calendar

Planning your next fishing trip in Waukegan, United States ? Today is a average day for fishing. Our comprehensive fishing almanac combines our popular solunar tables, moon times, sunrise and sunset times, and a 7-day fishing calendar so you always know the best fishing times in your area. We analyse major and minor solunar bite times, rate each day on a five-star scale, and pair it with localized weather forecasts so you can quickly tell whether today is a good day to fish without juggling multiple tabs. Be sure to bookmark this page so you never miss a bite. view bite times...

  • Check our unique Solunar Clock for precise solunar tables and the best moon phases.
  • Use the forecast calendar section to sync bite times with major weather changes.
  • Analyze the forecasted weather conditions, such as wind, barometric pressure and rain to plan your fishing session.
  • Jump to the 7-Day Fishing Calendar for an extended fishing forecast, then explore nearby fishing spots on the interactive map.

Waukegan, Illinois offers some of the best Lake Michigan fishing access in the western basin, anchored by Waukegan Harbor, Government Pier, and miles of riprap shoreline. Anglers target trophy chinook salmon, coho salmon, steelhead, brown trout, and lake trout along with perch and warmwater species, using both shore and boat tactics. With deep-water structure close to land and a well-developed harbor, Waukegan is a prime destination for Great Lakes trolling, pier casting, and year-round multi-species action. read more...

Sun and Moon Times

The sun will be at it's highest point at . Today we have 13:0 hours of daylight. For shallow water fishing the twilight periods are often the most productive fishing times, especially on days when a major or minor time will coincide with twilight. In low light conditions predators have better cover for their ambush and often hunt in shallow water.
  • Nautical Twilight begins:
    Sunrise:
  • Sunset:
    Nautical Twilight ends:
  • Moonrise:
  • Moonset:
  • Moon over:
  • Moon under:
  • Visibility:
    34%
  • Third Quarter Moon - 34% illuminated Third Quarter Moon
Next New Moon in ~6 days on 10th September
  • Distance to earth:
    363,324 km
    Proximity:
    99.5 %
We can compare the current moon distance to it's minimum and maximum distance from earth and express that as proximity. A high proximity means the moon is closer to earth. At 50% it would be at it's mean distance. A high proximity causes big tides, currents and has a direct effect on increased bite times. A proximity greater than 90% indicates a super moon.
Moon Phases for Waukegan
New Moon
Thu, 10 Sep
Full Moon
Sat, 26 Sep

Solunar Bite Times

Settings
Display Settings:
  • average Day
12 1 2 3 4 5 AM 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Pro Tip: Save locations, get reminders & see fewer ads.
Sign Up Free
Best fishing times:
  • major Time:
    07:01 am - 09:01 am
  • minor Time:
    03:03 pm - 05:03 pm
  • major Time:
    07:21 pm - 09:21 pm
  • minor Time:
    11:39 pm - 01:39 am
All times are displayed in the America/Chicago timezone and are automatically adjusted to daylight savings. The current timezone offset is -5 hours. Green and yellow areas indicate the best fishing times (major and minor). The center shows the current moon phase which is a Third Quarter Moon at 34% lumination. According to the Solunar Theory, today is a average day for fishing, but you need to cross check this with the current weather forecast for a final decision. The next best fishing time ( ) starts in -5 hour and -10 minute. The gray time indicator displays the current local time.
America/Chicago • Sat, 5 Sep 02:50 • 42.364, -87.845
You can support us by subscribing to our Youtube Channel and sharing Fishingreminder on Facebook.

Current Fishing Weather

Updating Weather Infos...

7 Day Fishing Weather

The weather plays an important role in fishing. Wind strenght and direction often determine where you can fish and where fish might be holding. Although high pressure is usually good for fishing, steep pressure changes often trigger feeding frenzies and are great times for fishing. Of course temperature has also a strong effect on fishing and comfort on the water. So make sure to cross check the weather forecast with the solunar fishing times to determine the best times to go fishing. The graph below shows you the 3 hourly weather progression over the next 7 days. Scroll the graph left or right to see more.
Selected Weather Station: Waukegan, US
Temperature
Wave Height
Swell Height
Wind
Pressure
Humidity
Cloudcover
Rain Precipitation
UV Index
Retrieving Weather...

7 Day Fishing Forecast Calendar
Date Major Bite Times Minor Bite Times Sun Moon Moonphase
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		Third Quarter Moon moon phase
Third Quarter Moon
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		Third Quarter Moon moon phase
Third Quarter Moon
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		Waning Crescent moon phase
Waning Crescent
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		Waning Crescent moon phase
Waning Crescent
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		Waning Crescent moon phase
Waning Crescent
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		New Moon moon phase
New Moon
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		New Moon moon phase
New Moon
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		New Moon moon phase
New Moon
*bold times indicate best fishing times around sunrise or sunset

Fishing Overview Waukegan

Fishing in Waukegan, Illinois centers on Lake Michigan, where cold, clear water, harbor structure, and quick access to deep basins create a diverse fishery. Waukegan Harbor, Government Pier, the north and south harbors, and nearby beaches give shore anglers direct shots at salmon, trout, and perch, while boat anglers run short lines to productive trolling water from spring through late fall.

Seasonal patterns drive most Waukegan fishing strategies. In late winter and early spring, brown trout and occasional steelhead stack around the harbor mouth, power plant discharge (when operating), and riprap. Shore anglers throw spoons, minnow plugs, and spawn sacs under floats, focusing on stained seams and warmest surface water. As water temps climb into the 40s, coho salmon become the star, with boat trollers pulling thin-blade spoons and small dodger-fly or dodger–peanut fly rigs in the top 20–40 feet over 40–80 feet of water just outside the harbor.

Late spring into early summer brings mixed-bag trolling for coho, chinook, lake trout, steelhead, and browns. Productive zones often run from Waukegan north toward Zion and south toward Lake Bluff, with fish holding along temperature breaks and bait pods. Successful captains run a spread of downriggers, dipsey divers, and planer boards, staggering baits from surface to 80+ feet. Bright orange, green, and UV patterns shine in early light; switch to natural, chrome, and blue as the sun climbs.

Summer concentrates fish deeper and pushes many anglers offshore. Chinook and lake trout typically slide down the water column following the thermocline, often holding 60–120 feet down over 100–200+ feet of water. Use magnum spoons, flasher-fly combos, and spin doctors with meat rigs on downriggers and wire divers. Watch speed at the ball carefully; many Waukegan kings prefer 2.0–2.5 mph. For steelhead, target the top 30 feet with bright spoons over deeper water, especially near sharp temperature breaks and surface scum lines.

Shore fishing peaks again in fall as mature chinook and coho salmon stage off the harbor. Casting heavy spoons, crankbaits, and glow plugs from Government Pier and the north pier after dark can produce big fish. Glow patterns and slow retrieves with long pauses are key at night. Browns and steelhead follow as water cools, with spawn sacs, skein, and jigs tipped with waxworms effective under slip floats around harbor walls and current seams.

Yellow perch remain a staple Waukegan target, especially in late spring and early summer when schools move along the harbor mouth, breakwalls, and nearshore sand. Use small minnows or soft plastics on drop-shot or double-hook perch rigs just off bottom, downsizing line to 4–6 lb test in clear water. Light bites are common, so hold rods and keep sinkers just heavy enough to stay vertical in the waves.

Key tactical tips for Waukegan:

  • Carry a range of spoon sizes and colors to match alewife and smelt, swapping often until you dial in a program.
  • Monitor surface temperature and look for subtle warm or cool bands along the harbor mouth and breakwalls in spring and fall.
  • On calm, sunny days, downsize leaders and run longer leads behind divers and boards in the clear Lake Michigan water.
  • When pier fishing, use long rods (9–11 ft) to keep line off the concrete and to better manage waves and current.
  • Keep a headlamp and glow sticks handy for recharging lures during the popular after-dark salmon bite on Government Pier.

With reliable access, varied structure, and big-water pelagics close to shore, Waukegan stands out as a high-percentage Lake Michigan fishing base for both dedicated trollers and serious pier anglers.

Interactive Fishing Map for the greater Waukegan area

Beaches and Bays are ideal places for land-based fishing. If the beach is shallow and the water is clear then twilight times are usually the best times, especially when they coincide with a major or minor fishing time. Often the points on either side of a beach are the best spots. Or if the beach is large then look for irregularities in the breaking waves, indicating sandbanks and holes. We found 1 beaches and bays in this area.

Runaway Bay - 14.82114981982km

Harbours and Marinas can often times be productive fishing spots for land based fishing as their sheltered environment attracts a wide variety of bait fish. Similar to river mouths, harbour entrances are also great places to fish as lots of fish will move in and out with the rising and falling tides. There are 1 main harbours in this area.

North Point Marina - 14.31620767839km

We found a total of 40 potential fishing spots nearby Waukegan. Below you can find them organized on a map. Points, Headlands, Reefs, Islands, Channels, etc can all be productive fishing spots. As these are user submitted spots, there might be some errors in the exact location. You also need to cross check local fishing regulations. Some of the spots might be in or around marine reserves or other locations that cannot be fished. If you click on a location marker it will bring up some details and a quick link to google search, satellite maps and fishing times. Tip: Click/Tap on a new area to load more fishing spots.

Waukegan Harbor - 1.73924916333km , Waukegan River - 1.81413792739km , Sunderland Creek - 4.00380251139km , Dead Lake - 5.07047728496km , Pettibone Creek - 6.21774002683km , North Mill Creek - 9.36787057851km , Minear Lake - 11.4487798169km , Valley Lake - 11.48624437567km , Kellogg Creek - 11.81225804598km , Liberty Lake - 11.82635143815km , Grandwood Lake - 12.55723989625km , Gages Lake - 12.59738671205km , Druce Lake - 13.18223552326km , West Lake - 13.62892852646km , Third Lake - 14.00861578609km , Saint Marys Lake Dam - 14.31502296507km , North Point Marina - 14.31620767839km , Sterling Lake - 14.62788658069km , Runaway Bay - 14.82114981982km , Lake Charles Dam - 15.53050209136km , Elmwood Farms Lake Dam - 15.76565557768km , Fourth Lake - 15.79603582587km , Harvey Lake - 15.89032291388km , Big Bear Lake - 16.07459929659km , Little Bear Lake - 16.43535896102km , Waterford Lake - 16.49585612306km , Loch Lomond Dam - 16.55991980678km , Lake Linden Dam - 16.61995531536km , Miltmore Lake - 16.66995649156km , Lake Potomac - 16.7705788523km , Hastings Creek - 16.80179918963km , Grays Lake - 16.90355452364km , Slough Lake - 17.19051114119km , Hastings Lake - 17.42466402217km , Highland Lake - 17.89734623444km , Huntley Lake - 18.06746435869km , Diamond Lake - 18.39693042116km , White Lake Dam - 18.48789768351km , Cranberry Lake - 18.5497774041km , Hendrick Lake - 18.63794422926km

Harbours and Marinas Beaches Bays Wharfs Points,Reefs,etc
We have many members from all over the world who love fishing and share their catches. Checkout some of the recent catches and show us what you got.

Latest Catches

Share your catch
At fishingreminder we don't hide behind our desk. We are crazy about fishing, just like you - so make sure to subscribe to our Youtube channel and see what we're up to. If we are not working on fishingreminder, we are out fishing. Btw. fishingreminder is totally homegrown and we use fishingreminder ourselves everytime we go fishing. We are eternally grateful for your feedback, participation and support.
Comments
Please login to add a comment