ON THE WATER
Chicago, IL Fishing Forecast
Live fishing conditions for Chicago — or enter another ZIP code.
US ZIP code or device location · Local times · Weather & sun/moon context
Chicago, IL · ZIP 60601 · NWS LOT forecast updated Oct 23, 9:48 AM
Is it too windy to fish in Chicago right now?
11:00 AM: wind 5 mph SSE, gusts 6 mph · Sunny
No — good breeze
No — good breeze
No — good breeze
No — good breeze
Right-now fishing score: 66 (Yes — good day) for boat fishing. Pressure 1028 hPa, trend -0.2 hPa/3h. Wind thresholds are heuristics — see the wind guide.
Chicago fishing today
- Light breeze — good chop (5 mph)
- Stable high pressure (1028 hPa) — bluebird conditions, go deeper/slower
- 🧭 Traditional angler lore: east/northeast wind (E) said to slow the bite, small minus
- Minor solunar period (moonrise/moonset)
- Sunrise/sunset low-light window
- Major solunar period (moon overhead/underfoot)
Best times
- 11:00 AM–1:00 PM 59 out of 100 Major solunar period (moon overhead/underfoot) · Light breeze — good chop (5 mph)
- 5:00 PM–7:00 PM 64 out of 100 Minor solunar period (moonrise/moonset) · Sunrise/sunset low-light window · Light breeze — good chop (5 mph)
- 9:00 PM–11:00 PM 63 out of 100 Light breeze — good chop (5 mph) · Major solunar period (moon overhead/underfoot)
Chicago fishing tomorrow
- Light breeze — good chop (10 mph)
- Sunrise/sunset low-light window
- Minor solunar period (moonrise/moonset)
- Major solunar period (moon overhead/underfoot)
Best times
- 7:00 AM–9:00 AM 69 out of 100 Sunrise/sunset low-light window · Light breeze — good chop (10 mph)
- 11:00 AM–1:00 PM 74 out of 100 Major solunar period (moon overhead/underfoot) · Light breeze — good chop (10 mph)
- 5:00 PM–7:00 PM 73 out of 100 Minor solunar period (moonrise/moonset) · Sunrise/sunset low-light window · Light breeze — good chop (10 mph)
7-day fishing outlook for Chicago
58–66°F · Waxing Gibbous
52–68°F · Waxing Gibbous
53–72°F · Full Moon
55–64°F · Waning Gibbous
53–62°F · Waning Gibbous
53–65°F · Waning Gibbous
54–65°F · Waning Gibbous
Hunting conditions near Chicago
Deer movement score today 68 (Good deer movement expected) · Rut phase (estimate): Seeking & chasing
- 5:00 PM–6:28 PM 75 out of 100 Dusk movement window · Stable high pressure (1028 hPa) · Wind 5 mph — ideal for covering sound/scent
- 7:00 AM–9:00 AM 70 out of 100 Dawn movement window · Wind 10 mph — ideal for covering sound/scent · Steady SSE wind (within ±16° over ±3 h): predictable scent cone
- 10:00 AM–11:46 AM 61 out of 100 Wind 10 mph — ideal for covering sound/scent · Steady S wind (within ±13° over ±3 h): predictable scent cone · Rut phase: Seeking & chasing
Chicago at a glance
| Coordinates | 41.885, -87.621 |
|---|---|
| Time zone | America/Chicago |
| NWS forecast office / grid | LOT 76,73 |
| Grid elevation | 591 ft |
| Pressure data | Observed at KMDW (next 6 h only) |
| Sunrise / sunset today | 7:13 AM / 5:58 PM |
| Moon today | Waxing Gibbous, 92% illuminated |
| Solunar rating today | 3/5 |
Solunar calendar for Chicago
Calendar downloads and subscriptions are included with an active Pro membership.
Scores are heuristics combining NWS forecast data with traditional solunar theory. They are not validated predictions of fish or deer behavior. Always check official forecasts, regulations and legal shooting hours.
Illinois fishing regulations
Seasons, licenses, size and creel limits are set by the Illinois DNR (iFish Illinois). Always check current Illinois fishing regulations before you go.
More Illinois locations: Springfield, Peoria · Illinois fishing forecast
Frequently asked questions
Is today a good day to fish in Chicago?
This forecast scores today 61/100 (“Marginal”) for Chicago, based on the NWS LOT hourly forecast and solunar data. It’s a heuristic and updates through the day.
What is the best time to fish in Chicago today?
Today’s best-scoring windows: 11:00 AM–1:00 PM (59), 5:00 PM–7:00 PM (64), 9:00 PM–11:00 PM (63) local time (America/Chicago).
Is it too windy to fish in Chicago right now?
Current forecast wind is 5 mph with gusts to 6 mph: shore good, boat good, kayak good by our heuristic thresholds.
More forecasts
- Is today a good day to fish? — fishing forecast for today
- Fishing forecast near me — all states
- Fishing forecast for tomorrow
- Best time to fish today — hour-by-hour fishing times
- Is it too windy to fish? Live wind check
- Georgia fish & game forecast
- Hunting forecast & deer movement forecast
- Solunar calendar — major & minor feeding times
- Coastal tide forecast — NOAA high and low tide predictions