McCullom Lake, IL

McCullom Lake is a McHenry County village wrapped around a 244-acre shallow lake northwest of McHenry. It began in the 1920s as summer cottages along the north shore and incorporated in 1955 so residents could handle lake maintenance and road improvements locally. That origin still shows in the map: homes ring much of the shoreline, while McHenry occupies the southeast shore. The shoreline is the village’s front door. That is why the village name and lake name are the same.

Fishing is the detail locals would probably lead with. The lake is stocked with channel catfish, largemouth bass, and northern pike, and winter ice fishing is a known draw—though an aerator can leave open water. Small parks provide shoreline access, with a fishing pier and boat launches for carry-in or small trailered boats. The village hall, monthly potluck, and lake rules fill out the civic side. McCullom Lake is not a generic suburb; it is a lake village that grew from summer cottages and still organizes itself around the water.