How many lakes are in the Chain O'Lakes area?

The Chain O'Lakes area has 20 graded lakes with an average water quality grade of C (Fair). 1 lakes have Grade A water quality.

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.

Reviewed by LakeQuality Editorial Team · Updated Jul 5, 2026

Lakes

Avg Grade

Grade A Lakes

With Fish Data

Lake	County	Grade	Clarity	Depth
Loch Lomond Lake	Lake	A	16.5 ft	-
Silver Lake	McHenry	B	7 ft	-
Silver Lake	McHenry	B	10 ft	-
Timber Lake	Lake	B	10.6 ft	-
Round Lake	Lake	B	7.4 ft	-
Grays Lake	Lake	B	3.5 ft	-
Lily Lake	McHenry	B	3.3 ft	-
Catherine Lake	Lake	B	7.4 ft	-
Channel Lake	Lake	C	8 ft	-
Woods Creek Lake	McHenry	C	3.9 ft	-
Long Lake	Lake	D	3.4 ft	-
Hastings Lake	Lake	D	3.4 ft	-
Grass Lake	Lake	D	1.4 ft	-
Long Lake	Lake	D	2.9 ft	-
Fox Lake	Lake	D	1.9 ft	-
Petite Lake	Lake	D	2.5 ft	-
Nippersink Lake	Lake	D	1.3 ft	-
Marie Lake	Lake	D	2.7 ft	-
Pistakee Lake	McHenry	D	2.7 ft	-
Bluff Lake	Lake	D	4 ft	-