TOPIC:

Up until now, I have only fished out of Portage and Michigan City, but with all of the action being reported around Gary and East Chicago/Whiting, I'm considering a trip that way soon. I'm on a trailer, so I'm assuming that driving to Lake County and launching there is the best bet?

Can anyone provide insight or strategies for getting onto the lake in Lake County? Best launch sites? Timing? Wind specifics?

Thanks!

J-

Veterans of the Hammond and EC launches can probably provide more info about precise wind directions and pros and cons... but East Chicago charges $15 I believe, and Hammond maybe $20? I have never launched at Hammond. It's a nice marina though. Pros of both is that there is no long idle out to the lake like there is at BH or MC, if you are launching at TC Marina.

EC can be run like a circus but it's close to great fishing in the ship canal, hole in the wall (inland steel wall) and Gary Light. The inland wall provides some measure of protection against westerly/northwesterly winds so that some days you can still catch fish in the spring when other ports are unfishable

FWIW I have been seeing nice catches of cohos with some dandy kings sprinkled in out of BH and MC this week. And likewise in NB and SJ - so they are pretty much everywhere depending on the day

I am not sure where you are from but Hammond is free if you are from Indiana (I think its the entire state and not just Lake county). I am not sure of the fee if you are not from Indiana but I don't think its over $15. EC the first I believe it is the first 30 boats are free then it is $20. Whiting is also $20 unless you are from Whiting but sometimes it is worth it if the other launches are crowded (I use their launch during holidays if I am fishing that area).