Illinois Chain O' Lakes

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bladeguy

Member
With this cold spell it is time to start keeping an eye on the Illinois chain. I drove over the Fox River in McHenry yesterday and it was mostly open but starting to freeze up on the sides. Wonder how the ice is coming on the upper Lakes?
 
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jakester

New member
Blade, I will let you know when it's safe.. there will be changes this year as they lowered the lakes real low this year. I'm sure that there will be some water currents that will be different. Please be patient, I got buddy's on local fire depts. We don't need them out there when it's not safe yet. Been living on, or near the chain last 40yrs. Every year is different in certain spots.. Be safe Blade, Jake
 
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bladeguy

Member
jakester said:
Blade, I will let you know when it's safe.. there will be changes this year as they lowered the lakes real low this year. I'm sure that there will be some water currents that will be different. Please be patient, I got buddy's on local fire depts. We don't need them out there when it's not safe yet. Been living on, or near the chain last 40yrs. Every year is different in certain spots.. Be safe Blade, Jake
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. Jake - that is exactly why I started this thread. Thanks!
 
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zokman

New member
jakester said:
Blade, I will let you know when it's safe.. there will be changes this year as they lowered the lakes real low this year. I'm sure that there will be some water currents that will be different. Please be patient, I got buddy's on local fire depts. We don't need them out there when it's not safe yet. Been living on, or near the chain last 40yrs. Every year is different in certain spots.. Be safe Blade, Jake
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1:00 AM last night saw a single guy ripping back and forth across Petite Lake. Must have been nuts. Definitely more time needed.
 
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jakester

New member
Blade, things are starting to freeze up pretty good. I live on a channel that goes out to pistakee lake.. I will check it out Saturday morning .I don't like going out the first time at night. I'm sure my channel is safe. Some sleds ripping across Pistakee to the old Harmony last night, I think it's Cabannas now. Fox not froze around Johnsburg. Under bridge by RT12 closing up. On west side. I will try to update. Couple inches of snow on the ice would be nice.. It would be even better if we had enough snow to open the trails. They have been marked since thanksgiving. Be safe Jake
 
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bladeguy

Member
jakester said:
Blade, things are starting to freeze up pretty good. I live on a channel that goes out to pistakee lake.. I will check it out Saturday morning .I don't like going out the first time at night. I'm sure my channel is safe. Some sleds ripping across Pistakee to the old Harmony last night, I think it's Cabannas now. Fox not froze around Johnsburg. Under bridge by RT12 closing up. On west side. I will try to update. Couple inches of snow on the ice would be nice.. It would be even better if we had enough snow to open the trails. They have been marked since thanksgiving. Be safe Jake
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Thanks! Sounds like we are close!
 
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jakester

New member
little bit.. if we get a couple more inches today, that will help. more sleds ripping around last night. remember things change year to year. if you are not sure about an area, try to check with someone who knows. be safe. jake
 
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blkhwkbob

Active member
Is there a Fox River system fee needed to ride sleds on the lakes? You know, just like the ridiculous boating fee?
 
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legolamb

Member
No user fee, but make sure you have current IL registration, or an IL trail pass if you are coming down the river from WI. The DNR go out in full force and stop lots of sleds.
 
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blkhwkbob

Active member
Swampcat, you ain't kidding. I'm totally serious that there is a fee to boat on the Chain of Lakes. It's like 75 bucks per year minimum and that doesn't include launching.
 
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ridindirty800

Active member
Saw a post on Facebook they pulled 2 sleds from the Upper River last night. From the pics there was no ice where they went in but there skipping did not go as planned. Chilly night to take a swim! Be safe out there, they saw do not ride the Upper River right now
 
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jakester

New member
Hey Blade, went out sunday for awhile. I would say ice is safe. even under RT12 is froze. if you know the chain you are safe except for some of the usual channels that don't freeze.. not alot of snow ,but tracks are keeping it in place.. of course if you are picked it will be better for you. I have one sled picked the other one isn't.. remember if you go north of il. border you need a wisconsin trail pass. I did not go north of 12 on sleds but did drive and checked grass lake and bridge at 173. lots of tracks. be aware of lots of stumps by shore lines and river beds. alot of debris ended in different spots this year after the floods. I have not checked river from mouth in Johsburg to Mchenry. be safe Jake
 
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bladeguy

Member
jakester said:
Hey Blade, went out sunday for awhile. I would say ice is safe. even under RT12 is froze. if you know the chain you are safe except for some of the usual channels that don't freeze.. not alot of snow ,but tracks are keeping it in place.. of course if you are picked it will be better for you. I have one sled picked the other one isn't.. remember if you go north of il. border you need a wisconsin trail pass. I did not go north of 12 on sleds but did drive and checked grass lake and bridge at 173. lots of tracks. be aware of lots of stumps by shore lines and river beds. alot of debris ended in different spots this year after the floods. I have not checked river from mouth in Johsburg to Mchenry. be safe Jake
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I actually have a Wisconsin Trail Pass- need to buy an IL out of state pass. I am picked but my friend is not. RT 12 froze is always a good sign! Thanks for the info!
 
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