Size
367ac
Boat Launch
Carry-in Launch
Toilet
Yes
Boat Dock
Species in Channel Lake
Walleye
Largemouth bass
Perch
Crappie
Northern pike
Muskellunge
Bluegill
Overview
Large shallow lakes with excellent channels. Bass, catfish and panfish tops. Shoreline docks, piers, and weeds provide the most cover.
Channel Lake Map
Fishing Regulations
Special Fishing Regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.
Special Species Regulations
- Bullheads: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
- Catfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
- Cisco And Whitefish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
- Lake Sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
- Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: The minimum length limit is 14” and the daily bag limit is 5.
- Muskellunge And Hybrids: May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water: The minimum length limit is 40” and the daily bag limit is 1.
- Northern Pike: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: The minimum length limit is 26” and the daily bag limit is 2.
- Paddlefish: Closed: No fishing allowed.
- Panfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25.
- Rock, Yellow, And White Bass: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
- Rough Fish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
- Round Goby: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office.
- Ruffe: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office.
- Shovelnose Sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
- Trout: See specific regulations: See Trout Regulations
- Walleye, Sauger, And Hybrids: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: The minimum length limit is 15” and the daily bag limit is 3.
- White Perch: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office.
Features
The Fox Chain O’ Lakes consists of nine major lake basins connected by a series of navigable channels. The chain is considered the largest inland water recreational area in northeastern Illinois. Recreational boat traffic is extremely heavy on weekends. Weekday fishing is suggested, if possible. In recent years the Chain has developed into a major fishery with outstanding walleye, channel catfish and muskie resources. The south part of the Fox Chain O’ Lakes does not have any public boat accesses, all of the accesses are private and charge fees. There are many full service marinas on the lake as well as restaurants.
Forage
Walleye and northern pike feed heavily on perch, juvenile panfish, and gizzard shad. Freshwater drum are important prey for muskie and northern pike. Gizzard shad, emerald shiner, bluntnose minnow, golden shiner, carp, sucker, small carp and juvenile panfish, including bluegill, are significant to the forage base. Rusty crayfish are present in the Chain.
Seasonal Movements
The largest concentrations of spawning walleye occur in Lake Marie and Bluff Lake. After spawning, a downstream movement into Grass Lake and the Fox River have been reported. Northern pike make seasonal spawning movements into tributary creeks or into shallow weedy areas for spawning, often just after ice-out.
Weather
71°Feels like 71°
76°
57°
76°57°6:32 AM
7:02 PM
4 mph
Southwest
0 in
Rain
30.03 inHg
Rising
TuesdayTu
76° / 57°
WednesdayWe
71° / 60°
ThursdayTh
75° / 59°
FridayFr
74° / 61°
SaturdaySa
79° / 59°
SundaySu
72° / 58°
Moon Phase
September 15, 2026
20% Illumination
waxing crescent, getting brighter
TuesdayTu09/15
WednesdayWe09/16
ThursdayTh09/17
FridayFr09/18
SaturdaySa09/19
SundaySu09/20
MondayMo09/21
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Top Fish Species
Walleye
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
Understanding Abundance
Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.Species Lengths
