Fox Lake, Illinois is a community that blends lakeside leisure with small-town familiarity, where weekends often mean time spent outdoors and locals genuinely take pride in where they live. Located in Lake and McHenry counties, Fox Lake is home to just over 10,000 people. While its population might not be large, its reputation across northeastern Illinois is significant, thanks in part to the city’s role as a gateway to the Chain O’Lakes—one of the busiest inland boating and recreation regions in the Midwest.
Life in Fox Lake revolves around water. The Chain O’Lakes, which includes more than a dozen interconnected lakes, brings boating, fishing, and watersports front and center throughout the warmer months. Whether people are cruising down Pistakee Lake or dropping anchor at Mineola Bay, the aquatic lifestyle here isn’t just a pastime—it’s an identity. What’s interesting is that Fox Lake once attracted as many as 40,000 weekend visitors in the 1920s and '30s, back when it was known as the “Boating Capital of the Midwest.” That legacy lives on, not just in the marinas, but in the way the town is laid out—many homes and businesses back right up to the water.
There’s a legend that floats around among longtime residents about Al Capone using a local home as a hideout. Whether it’s fact or folklore, it adds to the town’s layered history, which includes everything from Native American fishing grounds to Prohibition-era bootlegging routes along the lake.
As for food, people around here have their favorites and they stick to them. Dockers on Pistakee Lake offers a no-nonsense menu with strong lake views and even stronger fan loyalty. It’s a casual place, perfect for boaters pulling up for a burger and beer. Then there's Moretti’s, a classic that’s managed to stay current without losing its roots. Their deep-dish pizza and expansive patio make it a go-to for both locals and tourists. Another standout is La Cabaña, known for its consistently flavorful Mexican cuisine, especially the carne asada and margaritas that folks rave about. The ambiance is cozy, and the service tends to feel like catching up with an old friend.
Shopping and services in town also carry that community-minded spirit. Grant Plaza Shopping Center brings together several everyday staples in one convenient location. Meanwhile, Novotny True Value isn't just another hardware store—it’s the kind of place where the staff actually walks you to the item you’re asking about. For outdoor enthusiasts, Ben Watts Marina is more than just a launch site; it's where locals trust their boats to be serviced, stored, and prepped for the next big weekend.
Fox Lake offers more than just activities on the water. During the colder months, people take to the Fox Lake sledding hill and ice fishing becomes a popular pastime. Summer brings with it the celebrated Venetian Night, when boats are decorated with lights and paraded through the water under the stars—a local tradition that draws a crowd every year. The town also hosts the Fox Lake Farmers Market, where regional growers, bakers, and artisans sell everything from heirloom tomatoes to handmade soap. It’s a weekly event where neighbors catch up and new folks feel welcome fast.
For those into live entertainment, the community maintains a calendar filled with concerts in the park, outdoor movie nights, and seasonal parades. The local parks department works hard to keep these events accessible, family-friendly, and worth coming back to year after year. Nippersink Forest Preserve and Grant Woods are nearby for those looking to hike, birdwatch, or just unplug for a while.
One interesting bit that doesn’t often make the travel brochures is the small museum inside the Fox Lake Village Hall. It’s modest, but it houses historical documents, old photographs, and even artifacts that trace the town’s evolution. From ice harvesting tools used in the early 1900s to early tourism pamphlets, it paints a surprisingly vivid picture of how the area developed over time.
If wildlife has made itself a little too comfortable in your attic, crawlspace, or yard, we at Wildlife Services are here to help. With years of hands-on experience in humane animal removal and exclusion, we understand the specific challenges that come with living near the lakes and forest preserves in and around Fox Lake. Whether you're hearing strange noises in the walls or noticing signs of animals where they don’t belong, we can inspect the situation and get things back to normal.
Contact Wildlife Services today—we’re here to help you reclaim your space and keep it that way.
