Fox Lake Seaplane Base

The closure was due to personal reasons, not economic or regulatory failure. The seaplane base was a private-use facility owned and operated by aviation enthusiast James Kief. Its existence was dependent on his personal operation, and it did not continue after he was no longer able to manage it and subsequently passed away.

The physical, land-based component of the former seaplane base was located at or adjacent to 200 S. Route 12 in Fox Lake. This property is now fully occupied by Munson Marine, a large and modern powerboat dealership and marina. Any specific infrastructure for seaplanes, such as dedicated ramps or hangars, has been removed or repurposed for marine operations. The water landing area on Nippersink Lake is no longer a registered or designated landing zone for aircraft.

Fox Lake Seaplane Base was a privately owned facility providing seaplane access to the Chain O'Lakes, a major recreational waterway in northern Illinois. Its operations were small-scale, handling single-engine floatplanes and amphibious aircraft (e.g., Cessna 185 on floats, Piper Super Cub on floats, Lake Amphibian). The base's significance was primarily local, serving as a private hub for the owner and possibly a few other pilots, adding to the unique recreational character of the Fox Lake area. It was not a commercial airport and did not handle scheduled flights or significant cargo.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the Fox Lake Seaplane Base. The associated land is now used for a non-aviation commercial purpose. Given the high volume of recreational boat traffic on the Chain O'Lakes, establishing a new, officially recognized seaplane base in that specific location would present significant logistical and safety challenges. The prospect of reopening is considered extremely low to non-existent.