Lac Louette

McHenry County, Illinois

Lac Louette is a quaint outflow of Pistakee Lake, which is part of the 7,000-acre Chain O’Lake waterways system in Illinois. It is in McHenry Township and is less than 60 miles from Chicago.

The lake is 13 minutes from Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital and an hour from O’Hare International Airport. Within 10 minutes from the lake are grocers such as ALDI and Jewel-Osco.

The Chain O’Lakes is located in Illinois but isn’t far from the Wisconsin state border. It’s commonly hailed as the busiest inland recreational waterway per acre in the United States.

A Mafioso Heritage

During Prohibition, the Chain O’Lakes region was a hotbed for gangsters. Al Capone, the legendary mobster who ran Chicago, even owned a home on the lake. Bootleggers had a lot of success on the lakes smuggling alcohol over from Canada, where it remained legal.

The Chain O’Lakes Outdoors

The Chain O’Lakes is extremely popular among boaters and anglers. There is no boat access in Lac Louette, but there is one close by in a canal that feeds into Pistakee Lake.

The Chain O’Lakes is populated with a variety of quality and sizable fish including northern pike, muskie, largemouth bass, white bass, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, bullhead, carp, and yellow perch.

Close to Lac Louette is the Chain O’Lakes State Park. The park borders three of the Chain Lakes and is right next to a 3,230-acre conservation area. The park offers hiking and horseback riding as well as camping and hunting opportunities. When it gets chilly, visitors can go ice fishing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing.

Food and Drink

Hungry Lac Louette residents may visit Pawney’s Place, a local restaurant known for its pizza. Pawney’s also serves various sandwiches and fries.

For those who care to grab a drink in the middle of the lake, Blarney Island is a highly rated Caribbean-themed bar that, by all definitions, lives up to its name.

The restaurant is surrounded by water and is only accessible by boat. Of course, they have a shuttle for those who don’t wish to drive a boat.

Blarney Island also hosts drag boat races every Thursday evening from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

A Legendary Lake Area

If you want the classic lake experience with exciting and unique entertainment and dining options, look into Lac Louette in the Chain O’Lakes in Illinois for your next lake home!