Get to know the ‘WATER WONDERLAND’ The Chain O’ Lakes region is known for its boating, fishing and fun By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske | Photos provided by Steve Kroll, Wet N Wild Outfitters
n the land of prairies and cornfields, visitors flock to Chain O’ Lakes to enjoy what the Illinois Department of Natural Resources calls a “water wonderland.” The name refers to the multiple waterways connecting the region with access to lakes including Grass, Marie, Nippersink, Bluff, Fox, Pistakee, Channel, Petite, Catherine and Redhead as well as the Fox River. The area includes McHenry and Lake counties.
the Chain O’ Lakes area from Chicago for their vacation homes. Over time more people started to make it their full-time residence. In the last few years, the interest in the area as a recreation destination has been on the rise. Kroll says last year they met people from 37 different states and four different countries.
Perhaps the most popular way to enjoy the area is on the water. Steve Kroll is the owner of Wet N Wild Outfitters, which includes rentals for kayaks as well as guided tours of the water and fishing experiences. Kroll grew up in the area and remembers when many people came to
Visitors to the region might say the water might appear “murky,” Kroll says; with the shallow waters, activity can often dredge up the mud at the bottom, but in fact the waters are among the cleanest thanks to years of working to care and protect the waterways.
Central to the area is Chain O’ Lakes State Park, which includes 6,500 acres of water and 488 miles of shoreland as well as a 44-acre lake. The park is an ideal place to explore by boat, foot, bike and horse. With plenty of spots to enjoy a snack or picnic, too, it’s a great way to enjoy a day.
6 Chain O’ Lakes Recreation Guide
Wet N Wild Outfitters offers rentals, including shuttles that bring people and equipment to the water and pick them up. One of the most popular tours starts at Glacial Park and travels through Richmond and out to the Chain O’ Lakes. Also check out his monthly fishing school, where his guide brings people out on the Nippersink and Pistakee to cast their lines.
