Grass Lake is a lake in Illinois, near Lake County.
Grass Lake is the shallow, open part of the Fox Chain beside Chain O'Lakes State Park. The Fox River passes through it, and much of the water is only a few feet deep. You don't need a deep-water fishing plan here. Cover, water color, wind and the route through the shallows matter much more.
Try small jigs or worms around panfish cover and fish bass lures where vegetation and open water meet. Catfish are another option with a bottom rig in a legal fishing area. Keep an eye on water clarity: the Fox River and wind can change it, so a spot that looked clear on the last visit may fish differently today.
The state park offers free boat ramps with access into the system, along with camping and designated shoreline fishing. Use the park map for the exact bank areas and routes. Current marina launches around Grass are another option when their location better suits your boat and intended fishing area.
Grass Lake is not a place to run across unfamiliar water on the assumption that the channel continues straight ahead. Use current navigation information and the waterway's operating notices. A Fox Waterway Agency sticker is required. The open surface can also become uncomfortable for paddlecraft when wind or recreational traffic rises, despite its shallow depth.
Explore nearby waters, including local Featured destinations. Check each page for access and fishing restrictions.
Distances are straight-line estimates between mapped water locations.