The lakes provide the opportunity for many recreational activities, including boating, swimming, fishing and ice fishing. 

Fishing Permits

If you are fishing from the shoreline of the lakes in Lake in the Hills, you must first obtain a fishing permit from the Village. Permits may be purchased at Village Hall during business hours and at the Police Department during non-business hours. Permit sales begin May 1 each year and are valid through April 30 of the following year.  Children under 16 years of age do not require a fishing permit while in the company of a current fishing permit holder. Catch and release practices are encouraged.

Fishing Permit Fees

• Annual Resident (per household): $40
• Annual Resident Senior 55+ (per household): $30
• Annual Non-resident (per person): $60
• Daily Resident or Non-resident (per person): $15
  • Excludes Class 2 disabled individuals and disabled military veterans.

Boat Use Permits

Boat Use Permits are required if you are planning to do any boating activities.  Applications require proof of residency and current IDNR boat registration (this includes electric trolling motors for fishing, as well as sail). In order to protect the lakes, non-electric motor boats and vehicles are prohibited.

Boat Use Permit Fees

• Resident Annual Boat Use Permit (per boat): $10
• Resident Senior 55+ Annual Boat Use Permit (per boat): $7
• Non-resident Daily Boat Use Permit (per day): $15

Boat Storage Slips

The Village has two (2) Boat Storage Slip areas on Woods Creek Lake where residents can rent a Boat Storage Slip close to the boat launch sites. Nockels Park (149 Hilltop Dr.) has 14 slips and Turtle Island (290 Indian Trail) has 67 slips.

Boat Storage Slip Fees

• Resident (per slip): $20
• Resident Senior 55+ (per slip): $15

Current slip renters will have the option to renew their annual Boat Storage Slip April 1 - April 30 each year.  Boat Slip registration opens to the rest of the Lake in the Hills community on the first Monday in May and are valid through April 30 of the following year. Any available slips will be available on a first-come, first-served basis in-person ONLY. 

Supporting Documents