Chain O'Lakes
Fifteen connected glacial lakes linked by the Fox River and dredged channels in Lake and McHenry counties, with about 7,100 acres of water overseen by the Fox Waterway Agency. Often described as the busiest inland recreational waterway per acre in the United States, the Chain draws heavy summer boat traffic from the Chicago and Milwaukee metro areas; Fox Lake and Pistakee Lake are its largest links.
| Lake | County | Clarity | Depth | Fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Lake | McHenry | 7 ft | - | 0 |
| Grays Lake | Lake | 3.5 ft | - | 0 |
| Catherine Lake | Lake | 7.4 ft | - | 0 |
| Cedar Lake | Lake | - | - | 0 |
| Deep Lake | Lake | - | - | 0 |
| Round Lake | Lake | 7.4 ft | - | 0 |
| Channel Lake | Lake | 8 ft | - | 0 |
| Zurich Lake | Lake | - | - | 0 |
| West Loon Lake | Lake | - | - | 0 |
| Woods Creek Lake | McHenry | 3.9 ft | - | 0 |
| Tower Lake | Lake | - | - | 0 |
| East Loon Lake | Lake | - | - | 0 |
| Lily Lake | McHenry | 3.3 ft | - | 0 |
| Fox Lake | Lake | 1.9 ft | - | 0 |
| Long Lake | Lake | 3.4 ft | - | 0 |
| Grass Lake | Lake | 1.4 ft | - | 0 |
| Marie Lake | Lake | 2.7 ft | - | 0 |
| Pistakee Lake | McHenry | 2.7 ft | - | 0 |
| Nippersink Lake | Lake | 1.3 ft | - | 0 |
| Diamond Lake | Lake | - | - | 0 |
| Valley Lake | Lake | - | - | 0 |
| Louise Lake | Lake | - | - | 0 |
| Slocum Lake | Lake | - | - | 0 |
| Island Lake | McHenry | - | - | 0 |
| Silver Lake | McHenry | 10 ft | - | 0 |
| Loch Lomond Lake | Lake | 16.5 ft | - | 0 |
| Hastings Lake | Lake | 3.4 ft | - | 0 |
| Timber Lake | Lake | 10.6 ft | - | 0 |
| Petite Lake | Lake | 2.5 ft | - | 0 |
| Bluff Lake | Lake | 4 ft | - | 0 |
Ways to pick a Chain O'Lakes lake
Cleanest water
- Silver Lake — 7 ft clarity
- Grays Lake — 3.5 ft clarity
- Catherine Lake — 7.4 ft clarity
- Cedar Lake — Lake County
Cleanest Lakes in Chain O'Lakes
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Chain O'Lakes area has 30 lakes with water-quality records from state and federal monitoring. 19 of them have a clarity reading and 0 have documented fish species.
Cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals around Chain O'Lakes are on the map below with live availability. A lake with low nutrient and algae readings is the better swim and cabin pick when water quality is part of the trip.
The lakes with the lowest nutrient and algae readings lead the table above. Each lake page shows its own phosphorus, chlorophyll-a and clarity readings beside the EPA condition class; none of it is a same-day swim clearance.
Where to stay near Chain O'Lakes
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Chain O'Lakes — then explore the interactive map to find a place to stay close to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Chain O'Lakes
Prices for Oct 9–11, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.