Best Lakes Near Appleton, WI, 50 Lakes Within 50 Miles

50 lakes within 50 miles of Appleton have nutrient and algae readings on record. Oneida Lake in Outagamie County leads the set on measured water quality. 37 of the 50 have a recorded public access point.

Within reasonable driving distance of Appleton sit 50 measured lakes, a lake-dense area that gives residents real choice on any given weekend.

The lakes below are sorted on measured water quality. If you have a specific activity in mind, swimming, kayaking, ice-fishing, family-fishing, the activity-specific sub-pages will filter further.

Lakes Within 50 mi

With Clarity Readings

With Fish Data

Public Access

Lake	Distance	County	Clarity	Depth	Fish
Oneida Lake	17.7 mi	Outagamie	—	-	0
Green Lake	42.5 mi	Green Lake	13.5 ft	236 ft	7
Malone Lake	45.6 mi	Shawano	13.5 ft	31 ft	3
Mission Lake	45.8 mi	Shawano	17.5 ft	44 ft	2
Sams Lake	46.1 mi	Shawano	11 ft	13 ft	2
Bealeau Lake	47.9 mi	Shawano	11.5 ft	24 ft	4
Koonz Lake	48 mi	Shawano	10.8 ft	40 ft	4
Big Lake	49 mi	Shawano	8 ft	-	0
Quarry Lake	21.5 mi	Brown	8 ft	-	0
White Lake	26.4 mi	Waupaca	5.6 ft	10 ft	5
Bear Lake	28 mi	Waupaca	11 ft	62 ft	3
Wolf Lake	29.4 mi	Fond du Lac	5 ft	47 ft	4
Wilke Lake	30.3 mi	Manitowoc	7 ft	21 ft	5
Shoe Lake	30.5 mi	Manitowoc	7 ft	34 ft	4
Rush Lake	31 mi	Winnebago	3.2 ft	5 ft	2
Pine Lake	31.9 mi	Shawano	10.5 ft	35 ft	5
Long Lake	32.1 mi	Shawano	6 ft	35 ft	3
Grass Lake	32.2 mi	Shawano	8.5 ft	52 ft	6
School Section Lake	32.2 mi	Waupaca	6.5 ft	38 ft	3
Round Lake	32.4 mi	Shawano	11 ft	39 ft	5
Spring Lake	32.7 mi	Manitowoc	8 ft	23 ft	4
Pigeon Lake	33 mi	Manitowoc	9.3 ft	62 ft	4
Cedar Lake	33.2 mi	Manitowoc	10.2 ft	21 ft	3
Mirror Lake	33.6 mi	Waupaca	13 ft	43 ft	4
Shadow Lake	33.7 mi	Waupaca	12 ft	41 ft	4
Tuma Lake	33.7 mi	Manitowoc	10 ft	36 ft	3
Spencer Lake	34.1 mi	Waupaca	8.5 ft	53 ft	5
English Lake	34.6 mi	Manitowoc	7.5 ft	85 ft	4
Horseshoe Lake	34.7 mi	Manitowoc	6.5 ft	54 ft	4
Long Lake	35 mi	Waushara	14.5 ft	71 ft	4
Elkhart Lake	35.9 mi	Sheboygan	10.5 ft	119 ft	7
Taylor Lake	36.3 mi	Waupaca	10 ft	58 ft	6
Otter Lake	36.4 mi	Waupaca	8 ft	40 ft	4
Kasbaum Lake	36.4 mi	Manitowoc	9.7 ft	68 ft	2
De Neveu Lake	36.7 mi	Fond du Lac	11 ft	67 ft	4
Pearl Lake	36.8 mi	Waushara	19 ft	45 ft	3
Hartlaub Lake	36.9 mi	Manitowoc	5 ft	60 ft	3
Crystal Lake	37.4 mi	Sheboygan	20 ft	-	0
Gilbert Lake	37.5 mi	Waushara	12 ft	65 ft	5
Kusel Lake	37.7 mi	Waushara	11.5 ft	29 ft	4
Columbia Lake	37.8 mi	Waupaca	11 ft	72 ft	7
Big Hills Lake	37.9 mi	Waushara	8.4 ft	-	0
Stratton Lake	38 mi	Waupaca	13 ft	42 ft	4
Long Lake	38.1 mi	Waupaca	13 ft	76 ft	7
Beasley Lake	38.2 mi	Waupaca	18.4 ft	47 ft	6
Wilson Lake	38.2 mi	Waushara	6.2 ft	12 ft	4
Little Elkhart Lake	38.3 mi	Sheboygan	10 ft	25 ft	3
Youngs Lake Waupaca Co	38.3 mi	Waupaca	10.2 ft	15 ft	5
Silver Lake	38.4 mi	Waupaca	7 ft	17 ft	4
Marl Lake	38.6 mi	Waupaca	13.6 ft	59 ft	5

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Cleanest Lakes Near Appleton

Oneida Lake

17.7 mi · Outagamie County

Green Lake

42.5 mi · Green Lake County · 13.5 ft clarity

Malone Lake

45.6 mi · Shawano County · 13.5 ft clarity

Mission Lake

45.8 mi · Shawano County · 17.5 ft clarity

Sams Lake

46.1 mi · Shawano County · 11 ft clarity

Bealeau Lake

47.9 mi · Shawano County · 11.5 ft clarity

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many lakes are near Appleton?

There are 50 lakes with water-quality readings on record within 50 miles of Appleton, Wisconsin. 37 of them have a recorded public access point and 49 have a clarity reading.

What are the best lakes near Appleton for fishing?

45 lakes near Appleton have documented fish species data. The best fishing lakes combine favourable water-quality readings with diverse fish populations. 15 lakes within 50 miles have 5 or more documented fish species.

Where to stay near Appleton

Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Appleton — book a place close to the cleanest lakes in the area.

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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.