We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.

Channel Lake, Illinois, USA

Also known as:  Fox Chain O'Lakes

Over 7,000 acres of water make up the lakes in the Fox Chain O’Lakes in northeastern Illinois. With almost 500 shoreline miles lined with vacation rentals, resorts, and restaurants, the Chain draws almost 60,000 visitors on summer weekends. The entire Fox Chain O’Lakes is navigable with hundreds of miles of water stretched out along the Fox River for boating, fishing and exploring. Nine major lakes make up…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Channel Lake! Article topics include:

Looking for Channel Lake cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a small referral fee at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.

Explore Area Hotels

Nearby offer more hotel accommodations:

  • Check TripAdvisor
  • Check Expedia
  • Check Hotels.com
  • Check Booking.com

    • All About Channel Lake, IL

    Lake Locations: USA - US Midwest Region - Illinois - Chicagoland Region, IL -

    Over 7,000 acres of water make up the lakes in the Fox Chain O’Lakes in northeastern Illinois. With almost 500 shoreline miles lined with vacation rentals, resorts, and restaurants, the Chain draws almost 60,000 visitors on summer weekends. The entire Fox Chain O’Lakes is navigable with hundreds of miles of water stretched out along the Fox River for boating, fishing and exploring. Nine major lakes make up the Fox Chain O’Lakes. Water level control on the chain is controlled by a series of dams on the Fox River. The dams, under the control of the Illinois Division of Water Resources, maintain recreational water levels and control flooding.

    Channel Lake is the northernmost lake in the Chain and a fantastic start to a Fox Chain O’Lakes getaway. Channel Lake and Lake Catherine comprise the northern start of the Chain — from the surface, what looks like one lake is actually two separate lakes, since Channel Lake and Lake Catherine are separated by a submerged ridge. Lake Catherine is 155 acres with an average depth of 45 feet and is the smaller of the two lakes; access to the lake is through one of the public boat ramps. Channel Lake offers 352 acres with several public boat ramps and additional access from private concessions.

    Downstream, Lake Marie has a sandy bottom and promises fantastic fishing. There are several boat ramps with access to the 480-acre lake. Bluff Lake is just 86 acres and is known for its exceptional shoreline fishing. Petite Lake has 167 acres of water and offers abundant populations of perch. With an average depth of three feet, Grass Lake is the shallowest lake on the Chain and one of the three major lakes that border the Chain O’Lakes State Park. Grass Lake has 1,360 acres of water and, like the other Chain lakes, it has very good fishing. Fox Lake, with its 1,700 acres of water for both anglers and boaters, is known for its great catfish and crappie fishing. At 420 acres, Nippersink Lake connects to Fox Lake. The southernmost lake in the Chain, 1,700-acre Pistakee Lake, has plenty of room for boating and abundant populations of fish.

    Fishing along the entire Fox Chain O’Lakes is excellent and each lake boasts its own specialty. The Chain has been stocked with walleye since 1978, and the entire Chain is full of muskie, largemouth bass, yellow perch and crappie. Additionally, Channel Lake is known for its bass and northern pike.

    Downstream from Channel Lake, the Chain O’Lakes State Park borders three of the Chain lakes and bumps up against a 3,230-acre conservation area. The 840-acre park was established in 1945. Today, trails for hiking and horseback riding cross the 2,450-acre park that also offers overnight campgrounds. Hunting is permitted in season for doves and waterfowl; there is an archery season for deer. In the winter there is ice fishing and cross-country skiing.

    The Fox Chain O’Lakes is public navigable waterway managed by the Fox Waterway Agency and under the Department of Transportation, the Division of Waterways, and the Department of Conservation. The Chain covers part of Lake and McHenry Counties and dips as close as 40 miles northwest of Chicago in the Chicagoland region of Illinois. Channel Lake is located just a few miles from the Village of Antioch. Established in 1836, Antioch sits between Chicago and Milwaukee and is considered the gateway to the Chain O’Lakes. Additionally, Antioch is only a few miles from Lake Michigan. Visitors can stroll through the charming historic shopping district and pause to shop or lunch at one of the many stores and restaurants. For anyone intending to extend their stay in the Chain O’Lakes area, there is real estate available for sale in Antioch and the surrounding communities.

    Channel Lake and its sister Lake Catherine have hundreds of acres filled with fsh and amenities lining their shores; restaurants, marinas, and vacaton rentals are all available from the water. Channel Lake is the perfect starting point for a Fox Chain O’Lakes getaway, and the gateway to over 7,000 acres of water, fish, and fun.

    Things to Do at Channel Lake

    These are some activities in the Channel Lake, IL area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Ice Fishing
    • Boating
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Hiking
    • Cross-Country Skiing
    • Horseback Riding
    • Hunting
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • State Park
    • Shopping

    What Kind of Fish Are in Channel Lake?

    Channel Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Catfish
    • Crappie
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Muskellunge
    • Northern Pike
    • Perch
    • Pike
    • Walleye
    • Yellow Perch
    divider

    Find Places to Stay at Channel Lake

    If you’re considering a Channel Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Channel Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Channel Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

    Check TripAdvisor
    Check Expedia
    Find a Campspot
    All Travel Resources

    Channel Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

    divider

    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Dammed

    Water Level Control: Illinois Dept. of Transportation-Division of Water Resources

    Surface Area: 352 acres

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 737 feet

    Trophic State: Eutrophic

    Channel Lake Map
    Local Weather Forecast

    We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

    Shop Channel Lake Gifts

    Custom Lake Tumblers

    Captain / First Mate Custom 20 oz Tumbler

    SHOP NOW
    Custom Lake T Shirt

    Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

    SHOP NOW
    Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

    On Lake Time Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

    SHOP NOW
    VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

    More Channel Lake news from LakeLubbers.com

    • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
    • The Channel Lake forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
    • New Channel Lake photos coming soon!
    • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
    • Share this Channel Lake article with your fellow LakeLubbers: