For great boating and fishing in Lake County, Bangs Lake in Wauconda should be high or your list. Like most of the lakes in Lake County, 306-acre Bangs Lake is a natural glacial lake, formed when Ice Age glaciers retreated 30,000 years ago. The lake is named after Justus Bangs, a settler from Vermont, who, in 1850, helped found the village that would become Waukonda (which means ‘spirit water’ in the Potawatomi language). Once…
Picture a parade of boats—large and small—sailing by bedecked in dazzling arrays of lights. That’s the heart of Venetian Night. And in Lake County, you’ll have two choices to enjoy this amazing spectacle: In Fox Lake and in Waukegan. No matter what location you choose—it’ll be a night to remember. Venetian Night: Fox Lake Saturday August 05, 2017 Don’t miss the fun and ‘oohs-and-ahhhs’ of Fox Lake’s 10th Annual Venetian Night and Block Party…
Ah! There’s nothing better frying in a pan than yellow perch fillets. A popular sport fish, yellow perch are sought for their delicious, mild flavor. Yellow perch are one of the most adaptable of predatory fish. They can be found in ponds, lakes and slow-moving rivers and streams. They tolerate water that is acidic or oxygen-deprived. They thrive close to the shore amid aquatic vegetation and also can be found up in waters up…
We want your kids to be safe when boating in Lake County—and that means wearing life jackets. In Illinois, anyone under the age of 13 must wear a life jacket while aboard any watercraft under 26 feet at all times the boat is underway, unless they are below deck in an enclosed cabin or on private property. But be aware—and this is very important—life jackets designed for adults won’t work for children. You must…
Baked Blue Gill One of the tastiest, if not the smallest, fresh water fish has got to be Blue Gill. You’ll need to catch at least ten to make a meal, but your effort will be well worth it. Ingredients: 1 Pound Filleted Blue Gill ¼ cup milk ½ teaspoon vinegar ½ cup cornmeal ½ teaspoon onion powder ½ teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon paprika ¼ teaspoon thyme ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper salt and…
Lake County has so much to offer for outdoor family fun this summer from 75 lakes, 100+ beaches, 500 miles of trails and bikeways, our beautiful forest preserves, and of course Great America, festivals and farmer’s markets! In this video, we visit the local gem of Illinois Beach State Park, which stretches for six and a half miles along the sandy shore of Lake Michigan in Northern Lake County. Maureen Riedy, President of the…
Whether you're looking to buy a boat, have your boat serviced, or store your boat, SkipperBud's should be your destination. With locations in Volo and North Point Marina, SkipperBud's offers boat sales, boat maintenance, winter and summer storage, marina slips, drystack, hauling, financing and insurance. From yachts & speed boats to pontoons, kayaks & watersports accessories, this is where your lake-loving life starts. For more information, check out skipperbuds.com.…
It’s finally boating season on the beautiful lakes and waterways of Lake County. Make sure it’s a safe one. Before you launch your boat for the first time, check these five vital elements to ensure that your boat is truly good to go: Inspect your trailer. How are the tires? Are the tie-down straps showing wear? Test out the brake and other lighting. Is your drain plug installed? You may think it’s a no-brainer,…
Many lakes have names whose explanations stretch back into the haze of history. Not Grass Lake; the name of this 1,360-acre lake is obvious. Originally, Grass Lake—part of Lake County’s magnificent Chain O’Lakes—was a stretch of wild rice and lotus, whose beauty was a great draw for 19th and early 20th century tourists. In fact, the water plants were so thick in places, many early boaters had to use a pole rather than oars.…
When you’re cooking on a boat in Lake County, you want the perfect combination of ‘crowd-pleasing’ and ‘easy to prepare.’ Bar-B-Que Hot Wings is a perfect choice. 16 jumbo chicken wings A neutral-tasting cooking oil (sunflower, corn, safflower) Salt and pepper (to taste) Quality hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s, Texas Pete’s, Stubb’s or Crystal) Coat each wing with oil to prevent sticking to grill. Season with salt and pepper. Preheat grill to medium-high with grill…
