Updated August 2026
Best Kayaking Lakes in Indiana
Top 12 kayaking lakes in Indiana, ranked by Secchi clarity (clearer water makes for better paddling — you can see fish, plants, and the bottom).
- Grade A–B water quality
- No known access restrictions
- 50–2,000 acres
Kayaking-friendly rankings prefer lakes with low motor-boat congestion, interesting shoreline, decent water clarity, and public access. Lake George (A) tops the Indiana list.
Kayaking favors lakes with shoreline interest — bays, islands, undeveloped stretches — which tends to correlate with the larger, more remote Indiana lakes rather than the small, residential ones.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Clarity | Area | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake George | Steuben | IN | A | 14.5 ft | 538 acres | ~42 ft est. |
| 2 | Lake Maxinkuckee | Marshall | IN | A | - | 1,910 acres | - |
| 3 | Lake James | Steuben | IN | A | - | 1,883 acres | - |
| 4 | Big Long Lake | LaGrange | IN | A | - | 392 acres | - |
| 5 | Lake Pleasant | Steuben | IN | A | - | 355 acres | - |
| 6 | Adams Lake | LaGrange | IN | A | - | 302 acres | - |
| 7 | Myers Lake | Marshall | IN | A | - | 92 acres | - |
| 8 | Blue Lake | Whitley | IN | B | - | 246 acres | - |
| 9 | Kuhn Lake | Kosciusko | IN | B | - | 140 acres | - |
| 10 | Flint Lake | Porter | IN | B | - | 107 acres | - |
| 11 | Long Lake | Porter | IN | B | - | 67 acres | - |
| 12 | Marsh Lake | Steuben | IN | B | - | 61 acres | - |
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Where to stay near Indiana kayaking lakes
Find cabins, campgrounds, and rentals near Indiana's clearest paddling water — live availability and prices for your kayak trip.
Top-rated places to stay near Indiana paddling lakes
Prices for Sep 11–13, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.