Best Lakes Near Appleton, WI
50 lakes within 50 miles of Appleton ranked by water quality grade.
Within reasonable driving distance of Appleton sit 50 graded lakes — a lake-dense area that gives residents real choice on any given weekend. The average grade across the nearby set is B.
The lakes below are sorted by overall letter grade. If you have a specific activity in mind — swimming, kayaking, ice-fishing, family-fishing — the activity-specific sub-pages will filter further.
| Lake | Distance | County | Grade | Depth | Fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oneida Lake | 17.7 mi | Outagamie | A | - | 0 |
| Green Lake | 42.5 mi | Green Lake | A | 236 ft | 7 |
| Malone Lake | 45.6 mi | Shawano | A | 31 ft | 3 |
| Mission Lake | 45.8 mi | Shawano | A | 44 ft | 2 |
| Sams Lake | 46.1 mi | Shawano | A | 13 ft | 2 |
| Bealeau Lake | 47.9 mi | Shawano | A | 24 ft | 4 |
| Koonz Lake | 48 mi | Shawano | A | 40 ft | 4 |
| Big Lake | 49 mi | Shawano | A | - | 0 |
| Quarry Lake | 21.5 mi | Brown | B | - | 0 |
| White Lake | 26.4 mi | Waupaca | B | 10 ft | 5 |
| Bear Lake | 28 mi | Waupaca | B | 62 ft | 3 |
| Wolf Lake | 29.4 mi | Fond du Lac | B | 47 ft | 4 |
| Wilke Lake | 30.3 mi | Manitowoc | B | 21 ft | 5 |
| Shoe Lake | 30.5 mi | Manitowoc | B | 34 ft | 4 |
| Rush Lake | 31 mi | Winnebago | B | 5 ft | 2 |
| Pine Lake | 31.9 mi | Shawano | B | 35 ft | 5 |
| Long Lake | 32.1 mi | Shawano | B | 35 ft | 3 |
| Grass Lake | 32.2 mi | Shawano | B | 52 ft | 6 |
| School Section Lake | 32.2 mi | Waupaca | B | 38 ft | 3 |
| Round Lake | 32.4 mi | Shawano | B | 39 ft | 5 |
| Spring Lake | 32.7 mi | Manitowoc | B | 23 ft | 4 |
| Pigeon Lake | 33 mi | Manitowoc | B | 62 ft | 4 |
| Cedar Lake | 33.2 mi | Manitowoc | B | 21 ft | 3 |
| Mirror Lake | 33.6 mi | Waupaca | B | 43 ft | 4 |
| Shadow Lake | 33.7 mi | Waupaca | B | 41 ft | 4 |
| Tuma Lake | 33.7 mi | Manitowoc | B | 36 ft | 3 |
| Spencer Lake | 34.1 mi | Waupaca | B | 53 ft | 5 |
| English Lake | 34.6 mi | Manitowoc | B | 85 ft | 4 |
| Horseshoe Lake | 34.7 mi | Manitowoc | B | 54 ft | 4 |
| Long Lake | 35 mi | Waushara | B | 71 ft | 4 |
| Elkhart Lake | 35.9 mi | Sheboygan | B | 119 ft | 7 |
| Taylor Lake | 36.3 mi | Waupaca | B | 58 ft | 6 |
| Otter Lake | 36.4 mi | Waupaca | B | 40 ft | 4 |
| Kasbaum Lake | 36.4 mi | Manitowoc | B | 68 ft | 2 |
| De Neveu Lake | 36.7 mi | Fond du Lac | B | 67 ft | 4 |
| Pearl Lake | 36.8 mi | Waushara | B | 45 ft | 3 |
| Hartlaub Lake | 36.9 mi | Manitowoc | B | 60 ft | 3 |
| Crystal Lake | 37.4 mi | Sheboygan | B | - | 0 |
| Gilbert Lake | 37.5 mi | Waushara | B | 65 ft | 5 |
| Kusel Lake | 37.7 mi | Waushara | B | 29 ft | 4 |
| Columbia Lake | 37.8 mi | Waupaca | B | 72 ft | 7 |
| Big Hills Lake | 37.9 mi | Waushara | B | - | 0 |
| Stratton Lake | 38 mi | Waupaca | B | 42 ft | 4 |
| Long Lake | 38.1 mi | Waupaca | B | 76 ft | 7 |
| Beasley Lake | 38.2 mi | Waupaca | B | 47 ft | 6 |
| Wilson Lake | 38.2 mi | Waushara | B | 12 ft | 4 |
| Little Elkhart Lake | 38.3 mi | Sheboygan | B | 25 ft | 3 |
| Youngs Lake Waupaca Co | 38.3 mi | Waupaca | B | 15 ft | 5 |
| Silver Lake | 38.4 mi | Waupaca | B | 17 ft | 4 |
| Marl Lake | 38.6 mi | Waupaca | B | 59 ft | 5 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes are near Appleton?
There are 50 graded lakes within 50 miles of Appleton, Wisconsin. 8 of these have an A water quality grade (excellent).
What are the best lakes near Appleton for fishing?
45 lakes near Appleton have documented fish species data. The best fishing lakes combine good water quality grades 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 best-rated lakes in the area.
Top-rated places to stay near Appleton
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.