Kane County Lake Quality
Illinois, 3 lakes, average grade B (Good)
Kane County has 3 monitored lakes — a thin enough sample that one or two stressed lakes can move the county average noticeably. Use the per-lake pages below for what actually matters. 1 of those lake carry an A–F grade. The county-level summary describes that subset, not every water body listed. The county-wide average lands at B — solid water quality with most lakes carrying clear summer transparency and low-to-moderate phosphorus.
The county's lakes lean shallow, which makes the grades sensitive to wind, sediment-resuspension, and any nutrient inputs from the watershed. The cleanest lake on the books is Big Rock Lake (B); the most-stressed is Big Rock Lake (B).
Where to stay near Kane County
Top-rated places to stay near Kane County
Prices for Sep 11–13, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Kane County?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Kane County — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Quick Answers for Kane County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Big Rock Lake — or check the official Illinois fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Kane County
3 lakes · 1 graded, 2 not rated1 graded lake · 2 not rated, hidden
| # | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus | Algae | Trophic | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BBig Rock LakeKane | B | 8.1 ft | 10 µg/L | 10.4 µg/L | No recent samples | Not recorded |
| NRLake CamptonKane | NR | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | Not recorded | |
| NRNelson LakeKane | NR | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | Not recorded |
NR = not rated: there is not enough recent sampling to support a letter. That is EPA Integrated Reporting Category 3 (insufficient information), not a failing grade. How grading works.
Lake Match
Which lake suits how you actually use one?
Six questions — swimming, fishing, quiet, cabins, drive time — and a shortlist of graded lakes that fit, with the water quality behind each one.
Other Counties in Illinois
See how Kane County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all United States (49 states), Canada (Ontario, Québec, Nova Scotia, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador), and 38 other country hubs..
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.