Michigan may be the Great Lakes State and Minnesota the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but Illinois also lays claim to some pretty spectacular bodies of fresh water. In fact, we’d venture to say that the best lakes in Illinois aren’t only the finest in the state, but also some of the most extraordinary lakes in the country! From the endlessly dazzling (and massive) Lake Michigan to small, cerulean blue inland lakes — and pretty much everything in between — here are 14 of the best Illinois lakes you simply must experience.

1. Lake Michigan (Chicago)
Lake Michigan, United States
Bryce Edwards/Flickr




This cerulean blue lake is an inextricable part of The Windy City. Let's start with a geography lesson: the U.S. and Canada are home to the largest group of interconnected freshwater lakes on the planet by total area and the second-largest by total value. The Great Lakes of North America are comprised of five lakes which contain 21% of the world's total freshwater by surface area. Lake Michigan is the third-largest of the Great Lakes, with a shoreline spanning four states
2. Lake Shelbyville (Shelby and Moultrie Counties)
Lake Shelbyville, Illinois, USA
Anne Swoboda/Flickr
Lake Shelbyville is home to refreshing waters and a beautiful beach that Illinoisans love to wade in during the summer months.
3. Rend Lake (Franklin and Jefferson counties)
Rend Lake, Illinois, USA
Benjamin Gonzales/Flickr
Rend Lake is a magnificent oasis in Illinois. The area around the South Sandusky Campground on the west side of this gigantic lake is particularly beautiful. This Illinois beach will make you feel anywhere but in the Midwest. Rend Lake stretches for 13 miles, so there are many places where you can't see the other side and you can pretend you're at the ocean. The lake is located in southern Illinois, just south of Mt. Vernon. For a perfect summer day, enjoy the beaches or take a boat out on the lake.
4. Lake of Egypt (Lake of Egypt)
Lake of Egypt, Illinois, USA
Rick Bradley/Flickr
A place of pure paradise, Lake of Egypt is a reservoir that covers an expanse of 2,300 acres with 93 miles of shoreline and water depths that range from 18 feet to 52 feet. Southern Illinois Power Cooperative, or SIPC, developed Lake of Egypt in 1962 by damming the southern fork of the Saline River. The purpose was for cooling water for the power plant. Although the company owns the lake and shoreline, it is open for public use. What the SIPC created has become a place of enjoyment for many locals and families vacationing over the years.
5. Devil's Kitchen Lake (Williamson County)
Devils Kitchen Lake, Illinois, USA
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/Flickr




Devil's Kitchen Lake is a glorious hidden gem lake in Illinois that's of the deepest lakes in the state. It spans 810 acres and is a popular place for fishing.
6. Lake Springfield (Springfield)
Lake Springfield, Springfield Lake Shore Improvement, IL, USA
Henryk Sadura/Moment Open Collection via Getty Images
One of many reasons to visit Springfield, Illinois, is the eponymous lake, which is impossibly charming (look at that lighthouse!) and even boasts its own zoo, the Henson Robinson Zoo, on its shores!
7. Horseshoe Lake (Madison County)
Horseshoe Lake, Illinois, USA
Bryan Werner/Flickr
When visiting Horseshoe Lake, you might just feel like you are in the deep South. Bald cypress, tupelo gum, and swamp cottonwood trees are trees you don't generally run into. There are 20 miles of shoreline for you to explore here at Horseshoe Lake, one of the best lakes in Illinois.

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8. Little Grassy Lake (Jackson and Williamson County)
Little Grassy Lake, Illinois 62958, USA
hammer/Flickr
Known for its crystal-clear waters, Little Grassy Lake is a 1,000-acre reservoir located in southern Illinois near Carbondale. It can be found within the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge.
9. Sangchris Lake (Christian and Sangamon Counties)
Sangchris Lake, Illinois, USA
Denny Armstong/Flickr
Billed as an angler's paradise, Sangchris Lake, here you can find largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel and flathead catfish, bullhead, and carp.
10. Lake Mattoon (Coles County)
Lake Mattoon, Illinois, USA
Chris Friese/Flickr




Lake Mattoon is around 1,000 acres and has a maximum depth of 35 feet. Camping, fishing, and boating are the reasons people come out and visit Lake Mattoon, one of the loveliest Illinois lakes.
11. Lake Argyle (Colchester)
Argyle Lake State Park, Colchester Township, IL 62326, USA
Ryan Afflerbaugh/Flickr
A hidden gem, Lake Argyle is a branch-shaped body of water and is surrounded by a 1,700-acre park with about five miles of trails throughout. The lake is about 93 acres and is located near Colchester in McDonough County, which is in the west central part of the state.
12. Lake Galena (Galena)
Lake Galena, The Galena Territory, IL 61036, USA
Ryan Diestersheft/Flickr
Lake Galena is a beautiful body of water that's great for all sorts of recreation, including waterfall chasing!
13. Lake Decatur (Decatur)
13 Lake Crest Dr, Decatur, IL 62521, USA
Casandra Carlson/Google Local
A lovely lake that's a popular place for waterfront dining in Illinois, when constructed, Lake Decatur was one of the largest artificially constructed lakes in Illinois. It is 21,000 acres in size with an average depth of around eight feet.
14. Lake Opeka (Des Plaines)
Lake Opeka, Des Plaines, IL 60018, USA
Photography Designs by Janelle/Flickr
Beautiful Lake Opeka is a small, 40-acre lake in Des Plaines, Illinois.

There’s nothing more marvelous than a day on the water, and we hope the above list of the best lakes in Illinois inspires you to get out and explore this beautiful state of ours!

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More to Explore

Best Lakes in Illinois

Sarah M. | July 27, 2022

What are the clearest lakes in Illinois?

 

The Land of Lincoln might not be known for having a tropical climate or waters like the Caribbean. However, like in the Caribbean, you can find some incredibly clear water around the state. With some of the clearest water in Illinois, Lake Le-Aqua-Na is a worthwhile body of water to go for a swim. Lake Le-Aqua-Na is a manmade lake known for having some of the clearest water in Illinois. The water is so incredibly pristine due to good watershed practices, and it is a pristine place to experience any time of year -- but especially summertime. Among the fun you can have at Lake Le-Aqua-Na is boating, fishing, and swimming. And there is an accessible fishing pier located at the park's east end.

How many lakes are there in Illinois?

According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Prairie State is home to (are you ready?) more than 2,900 lakes, 84,000 ponds, and three large reservoirs. Now that's a lot of water. To narrow down your aquatic adventures, we recommend checking out the above list of best lakes in Illinois!

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