3 minute read
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. 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. 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 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. 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. 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.
Paddleboards have also become a more popular activity on the lakes, as a great way to experience the calm lake waters. For those who prefer their watercrafts with engines, check out locally owned Turtle Beach Marina in Antioch, where Mark and Jennifer Willer and Tim and Rachel Cope rent pontoon boats, jet skis, wave runners and a few kayaks too. The marina is one of the few with a sandy beach located on Channel Lake. Boaters love to visit the marina for its tiki bar, making it a great place to stop as they travel around the area, but it’s accessible by car and foot as well. “Pontoons are a favorite option for larger groups, and it offers the chance to relax and float along the waterways,” Mark Willer says. To rent a boat or jet ski, one needs a boater safety certificate, he adds. Turtle Bay Marina offers boat slips, winter storage and boat maintenance. Willer says while boating is fun, there is a lot of care required, and for those seeking a once or twice a year excursion, rentals can be a more convenient and economical choice. And a visit to the area can be more than a day trip. At Turtle Bay Marina there are a few cottages available to rent, where visitors can be right on the lake and enjoy some watercrafts as well. For more lodging options, turn to P. 9!
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