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Lake Michigan (Illinois shore)

Illinois · Great Lake · near Waukegan

14,300,000 acres 925 ft deep 15 ft clarity Water B
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6.6SCORE
Survey summary · Illinois
14,300,000
Surface acres
925 ft
Max depth
63 mi
Shoreline
15 ft
Typical clarity
577 ft
Elevation

Lake Michigan (Illinois shore) covers 14,300,000 acres in Illinois and drops to 925 feet at its deepest point. Level is unusually stable, which protects dock usability and shoreline appearance year round. Short-term rental posture: Municipal rules. Confirm at the municipal level before underwriting rental income.

What stands out

  • Very stable water level year-round
  • Deep water — 925 ft max
  • Large open water, 14,300,000 acres
  • Charter fishing
  • Sailing

Score breakdown

WATER RECREATION VALUE ACCESS INVESTMENT
Water 7.8
Recreation 6.3
Value 3.5
Access 7.3
Investment 7.5

Each axis is computed by published formula from this lake's own attributes. How we score.

Water quality grade
Water A
ExcellentClear, low-nutrient water. Typically oligotrophic with high clarity and little seasonal algae.
Water B
GoodHealthy water with moderate clarity. Some seasonal variation, no persistent problems.
Water C
FairProductive water — good fishing, reduced clarity. Algae possible in late summer.
Water D
PoorNutrient-rich or heavily drawn down. Swimmable conditions vary; check before you rely on them.

Computed from measured clarity, trophic state, and drawdown magnitude — not an opinion. See the formula.

Overall score, 1–10
8.0+
ExceptionalStrong on every axis we measure.
7.0–7.9
StrongClearly above average, usually with one standout axis.
6.0–6.9
SolidA good lake with a trade-off worth understanding.
5.0–5.9
MixedReal strengths and real compromises.
Under 5
CompromisedSomething material — volatility, water quality, or access.

Weighted: water 26% · recreation 22% · investment 20% · value 18% · access 14%.

Fishery

Coho salmonChinook salmonLake troutSteelhead

On the water

Charter fishingSailingBeaches
No USGS gauge on this lake. Water level and clarity figures below come from published lake management data rather than a live sensor.

Where it is

Location

No NHD boundary matched this water body, so the marker shows the mapped centre point.

Depth profile

SURFACE 925 ft max avg 296 ft

Idealized cross-section. Max depth 925 ft, average 296 ft. Depth at a specific dock depends on local bathymetry — verify at the property.

Level behaviour

Level stabilityNatural Typical drawdown2 ft Drawdown seasonVariable Trophic stateOligotrophic Typical clarity15 ft Water quality gradeB Elevation577 ft Managing authorityIL DNR / USACE

Dock & shoreline

Permitting authorityIL DNR Coastal Wake / speed rulesOpen water
A dock is never guaranteed. Confirm in writing with IL DNR Coastal that the specific parcel is eligible before you remove contingencies.

Short-term rental posture

Municipal rules

Generally permitted, but rules change. Confirm the specific municipality and any HOA covenant.
Model rental income →
Modeled estimates. Market figures are derived from lake attributes and regional patterns, not from MLS data. Treat them as a starting point, not a comp.
$540,000
Median waterfront
$4,042
Per shoreline foot
+2.7%
Year over year
68
Est. inventory
140
Avg days on market
$519
Est. nightly rate

Rental snapshot

Modeled occupancy44% Booked nights / yr116 Gross revenue$66,698 Net operating income$32,469 Yield on median price6.01%
Open the full model →

What a median-priced home on Lake Michigan (Illinois shore) actually costs to carry, with waterfront-specific line items most calculators omit.

$4,563
All-in per month
$124,210
Cash to close + setup
$12,680
Beyond P&I, tax, insurance
Where the annual cost goes
$54,760 PER YEAR
Principal & interest $34,142 (64%) Maintenance reserve (1.1%) $5,940 (11%) Property taxes $5,670 (11%) Utilities $2,700 (5%) Hazard insurance $2,268 (4%) Shoreline / seawall reserve $960 (2%) Dock maintenance $900 (2%) Winterization / seasonal close $750 (1%)

Annual carry

Principal & interest$34,142
Property taxes$5,670
Hazard insurance$2,268
Flood insurance$650
Utilities$2,700
Maintenance reserve (1.1%)$5,940
Septic service$520
Well & water testing$260
Dock maintenance$900
Winterization / seasonal close$750
Shoreline / seawall reserve$960
Total$54,760
Model your own numbers →
4.0 / 5 from 3 reviews
Twenty years on this water
R. Castellanos · Owner on the lake · Summer 2026
5/5

We bought in 2005 and have never regretted it. The lake is busy on holiday weekends and quiet the rest of the time. Get a dock on the main channel if you can — the coves warm up and weed over by August.

Good value compared to nearby lakes
Linda M. · Summer 2025
4/5

Prices here are meaningfully lower than the lake an hour north for water that is nearly as clear. Fewer restaurants and services, which is the tradeoff.

Depends heavily on your cove
D. Okonkwo · Owner on the lake · Summer 2026
3/5

Main channel is fantastic. Some of the back coves get shallow and mucky by late summer. Walk the actual shoreline before you commit, not just the listing photos.

For sale

Homes on Lake Michigan (Illinois shore)

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