Best Lakes Near Chicago, IL
50 lakes within 50 miles of Chicago ranked by water quality grade.
Within reasonable driving distance of Chicago sit 50 graded lakes — a lake-dense area that gives residents real choice on any given weekend. The average grade across the nearby set is C.
The lakes below are sorted by composite LakeGrade rubric score. If you have a specific activity in mind — swimming, kayaking, ice-fishing, family-fishing — the activity-specific sub-pages will filter further.
| Lake | Distance | County | Grade | Depth | Fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Calumet | 14 mi | Cook | A | - | 0 |
| Lake Opeka | 16.6 mi | Cook | A | - | 0 |
| Powderhorn Lake | 17.2 mi | Cook | A | - | 0 |
| Grays Lake | 38.5 mi | Lake | A | - | 0 |
| Silver Lake | 40.6 mi | McHenry | A | - | 0 |
| Deep Lake | 44.1 mi | Lake | A | - | 0 |
| Cedar Lake | 44.2 mi | Lake | A | - | 0 |
| Catherine Lake | 49.2 mi | Lake | A | - | 0 |
| Axehead Lake | 15.1 mi | Cook | B | - | 0 |
| Wampum Lake | 21.1 mi | Cook | B | - | 0 |
| Middle Lagoon Lake | 25.9 mi | Lake | B | - | 0 |
| Zurich Lake | 32.5 mi | Lake | B | - | 0 |
| Round Lake | 40.7 mi | Lake | B | - | 0 |
| West Loon Lake | 45.9 mi | Lake | B | - | 0 |
| Big Rock Lake | 46.8 mi | Kane | B | - | 0 |
| Cross Lake | 48.8 mi | Kenosha | B | 35 ft | 3 |
| Channel Lake | 49.2 mi | Lake | B | - | 0 |
| Rock Lake | 49.7 mi | Kenosha | B | 33 ft | 3 |
| Grand Calumet Lagoon Lake | 26.2 mi | Lake | C | - | 0 |
| Tower Lake | 36.5 mi | Lake | C | - | 0 |
| Woods Creek Lake | 41.3 mi | McHenry | C | - | 0 |
| East Loon Lake | 45.8 mi | Lake | C | - | 0 |
| Lake Shangrila -Benet | 48.5 mi | Kenosha | C | 24 ft | 0 |
| Flatfoot Lake | 15.9 mi | Cook | D | - | 0 |
| Turtlehead Lake | 18.6 mi | Cook | D | - | 0 |
| Sag Quarry West Lake | 20.3 mi | Cook | D | - | 0 |
| Tampier Lake | 21.2 mi | Cook | D | - | 0 |
| Poss Lake | 32.6 mi | DuPage | D | - | 0 |
| Monee Lake | 34.3 mi | Will | D | - | 0 |
| Lily Lake | 42.9 mi | McHenry | D | - | 0 |
| Fox Lake | 45.6 mi | Lake | D | - | 0 |
| Arrowhead Lake | 17.8 mi | Cook | F | - | 0 |
| Skokie Lagoons Lake | 17.8 mi | Cook | F | - | 0 |
| Bullfrog Lake | 18.2 mi | Cook | F | - | 0 |
| Saganashkee Slough Lake | 18.6 mi | Cook | F | - | 0 |
| Horsetail Lake | 19.1 mi | Cook | F | - | 0 |
| Sag Quarry East Lake | 20.1 mi | Cook | F | - | 0 |
| Midlothian Lake | 20.5 mi | Cook | F | - | 0 |
| Louise Lake | 31.6 mi | Lake | F | - | 0 |
| Diamond Lake | 32.2 mi | Lake | F | - | 0 |
| Valley Lake | 37.3 mi | Lake | F | - | 0 |
| Slocum Lake | 39 mi | Lake | F | - | 0 |
| Island Lake | 40.1 mi | McHenry | F | - | 0 |
| Long Lake | 42.8 mi | Lake | F | - | 0 |
| Pistakee Lake | 45.9 mi | McHenry | F | - | 0 |
| Nippersink Lake | 46.2 mi | Lake | F | - | 0 |
| Grass Lake | 47.3 mi | Lake | F | - | 0 |
| Marie Lake | 48.2 mi | Lake | F | - | 0 |
| South Pond | 2.7 mi | Cook | NR | - | 0 |
| Diversey Harbor Lake | 3.4 mi | Cook | NR | - | 0 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes are near Chicago?
There are 50 graded lakes within 50 miles of Chicago, Illinois. 8 of these have an A water quality grade (excellent).
What are the best lakes near Chicago for fishing?
2 lakes near Chicago have documented fish species data. The best fishing lakes combine good water quality grades with diverse fish populations. 0 lakes within 50 miles have 5 or more documented fish species.
Where to stay near Chicago
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Chicago — book a place close to the best-rated lakes in the area.
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.