Park Bait Update: The bait shop at Montrose Harbor on the Chicago lakefront reopens Friday

Park Bait, the bait and tackle shop on the Chicago lakefront at Montrose Harbor since the 1930s, is set to reopen Friday, Aug. 7, after being closed since the lakefront shutdown on March 26.

By Dale Bowman

For weeks already, Park Bait has been ready to go at Montrose Harbor on the Chicago lakefront; it will finally reopen Friday, Aug. 7. Credit: Dale Bowman — For weeks already, Park Bait has been ready to go at Montrose Harbor on the Chicago lakefront; it will finally reopen Friday, Aug. 7.

Park Bait reopens at 5 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7.

There are still a few things up in the air, so I may be updating.

But the institution at Montrose Harbor, open since the 1930s on the Chicago lakefront, will be open as of 5 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7. It was closed on March 26 when Mayor Lori Lightfoot shutdown the Chicago lakefront.

Proprietor Stacey Greene-Fenlon expects to have the usual hours, 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Anglers will be allowed to enter via Montrose, if they say they are going to the bait shop. This is still early on in the opening, so it could be that at some point you will need to show a fishing license or fishing gear to enter.

Also, remember the lakefront remains officially closed.

Click here for a background story on the closure of Park Bait.

Park Bait at Montrose Harbor in July, 2020. Credit: Dale Bowman — Park Bait at Montrose Harbor in July, 2020.

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