Chain O’Lakes

The Chain O’Lakes

BRINGS WATER FUN TO ALL AGES

The 7,200-acre Fox Chain O’Lakes is the largest, single, inland, water-oriented, recreational asset in Northeastern Illinois. The Chain is located about 40 miles northwest of Chicago on Illinois Routes 173 and 12, near the towns of Antioch and Fox Lake.

Easy access to the cities of Chicago and Milwaukee has added to the importance of the Chain. In addition to its hotels, motels and resorts with cottages in the immediate marina area, there are also many marinas, restaurants, pubs, bait and tackle stores and recreational lakefronts.

According to a survey taken by the U.S. Coast Guard, weekend usage on the Chain hits about 60,000 people on average and on holidays that figure rises to 100,000 people.

The future of the Chain is being monitored by the Illinois Department of Conservation. They have recently expanded both the walleye and muskellunge populations throughout the Chain.

The Fox Chain provides the best place to go fishing in Northern Illinois, with more than 40 species of fish in sizes and numbers desirable and sought-after by anglers.

Since the Chain O’Lakes is classified as a public navigable waterway and is managed under the authority of the Department of Transportation, Division of Waterways, The Fox Waterway Agency, Department of Conservation and Division of Fisheries, all state boating, hunting and fishing regulations are applicable and enforced.

Make your trip a fun one by understanding the sport of fishing and the types of bait and tackle to use, when, where and how. As the old saying goes, “Ten percent of the fishermen catch ninety percent of the fish. ”

Safety should be a number one concern when on the Chain (or any other body of water). Make sure all your equipment is in working order. Do not overload your boat or run it at high speeds in unfamiliar areas. Be courteous to everyone around you and give assistance where needed.

For information on the Chain O’Lakes, call the Fox Waterway Agency at 847-5878540 or visit FoxWaterway.com.