Updated August 2026
Best Kayaking Lakes in Missouri
Top 23 kayaking lakes in Missouri, ranked by Secchi clarity (clearer water makes for better paddling — you can see fish, plants, and the bottom).
- Low nutrient and algae readings
- 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 Capri tops the Missouri list.
Kayaking favors lakes with shoreline interest — bays, islands, undeveloped stretches — which tends to correlate with the larger, more remote Missouri lakes rather than the small, residential ones.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Clarity | Area | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Capri | St. Francois | MO | 16.3 ft | 112 acres | ~40 ft est. |
| 2 | Lake Marseilles-Terre du Lac Lakes | St. Francois | MO | 14.1 ft | 56 acres | ~41 ft est. |
| 3 | Council Bluff Lake | Iron | MO | 13.1 ft | - | ~37 ft est. |
| 4 | Lake Wauwanoka | Jefferson | MO | 12.9 ft | - | ~32 ft est. |
| 5 | Alpine Lake | Warren | MO | 12.6 ft | 325 acres | - |
| 6 | Port Perry Lake | Perry | MO | 12 ft | 187 acres | - |
| 7 | Lake Shayne-Terre du Lac Lakes | Washington | MO | 11.1 ft | 51 acres | ~46 ft est. |
| 8 | Goose Creek Lake | Ste. Genevieve | MO | 9.9 ft | 379 acres | ~60 ft est. |
| 9 | Port Perry Lake South Arm | Perry | MO | 9.5 ft | 187 acres | - |
| 10 | Fox Valley Lake | Clark | MO | 8.5 ft | 96 acres | ~45 ft est. |
| 11 | Lake Nehai Tonkayea | Chariton | MO | 8 ft | 250 acres | ~45 ft est. |
| 12 | Finger Lakes | Boone | MO | 7.9 ft | 79 acres | - |
| 13 | Fellows Lake | Greene | MO | 7.2 ft | 812 acres | ~85 ft est. |
| 14 | Weatherby Lake | Platte | MO | 6.2 ft | 186 acres | ~36 ft est. |
| 15 | Sherwood Lake | Warren | MO | 5.9 ft | 145 acres | - |
| 16 | Innsbrook Lake | Warren | MO | 5.2 ft | - | - |
| 17 | Brookfield Lake | Linn | MO | 4.4 ft | 106 acres | ~45 ft est. |
| 18 | Aspen Lake Along Southern Arm | Warren | MO | 3.8 ft | 146 acres | - |
| 19 | Waukomis Lake | Platte | MO | 4.7 ft | 82 acres | ~34 ft est. |
| 20 | Lotawana Lake | Jackson | MO | 4.6 ft | - | ~53 ft est. |
| 21 | Hazel Creek Lk. Lake | Adair | MO | 3.6 ft | 515 acres | - |
| 22 | Jacomo Lake | Jackson | MO | 3.3 ft | 1,221 acres | ~67 ft est. |
| 23 | Forest Lake Se Branch | Adair | MO | 2.3 ft | - | - |
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New clarity and algae readings can move a lake on this list. Unsubscribe anytime.
Where to stay near Missouri kayaking lakes
Find cabins, campgrounds, and rentals near Missouri's clearest paddling water — live availability and prices for your kayak trip.
Top-rated places to stay near Missouri paddling lakes
Prices for Sep 25–27, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.