Best Lakes Near Bemidji, MN
50 lakes within 50 miles of Bemidji ranked by water quality grade.
Within reasonable driving distance of Bemidji 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 A.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bemidji Lake | 4.6 mi | Beltrami | A | 76 ft | 16 |
| Plantagenet Lake | 5.8 mi | Hubbard | A | 65 ft | 20 |
| Little Bass Lake | 6 mi | Beltrami | A | 22 ft | 0 |
| Stump Lake | 6 mi | Beltrami | A | 24 ft | 12 |
| Grant Lake | 6 mi | Beltrami | A | 92 ft | 15 |
| Big Bass Lake | 6.1 mi | Beltrami | A | 17 ft | 11 |
| Newman Lake | 7 mi | Hubbard | A | 63 ft | 3 |
| Movil Lake | 8.2 mi | Beltrami | A | 50 ft | 20 |
| Beltrami Lake | 8.8 mi | Beltrami | A | 50 ft | 16 |
| Swenson Lake | 9.1 mi | Beltrami | A | 76 ft | 10 |
| Fox Lake | 9.6 mi | Beltrami | A | 19 ft | 0 |
| Turtle Lake | 9.8 mi | Beltrami | A | 45 ft | 16 |
| Wolf Lake | 9.8 mi | Beltrami | A | 57 ft | 18 |
| Midge Lake | 9.9 mi | Hubbard | A | 24 ft | 11 |
| Three Island Lake | 10.4 mi | Beltrami | A | 25 ft | 17 |
| Andrusia Lake | 10.6 mi | Beltrami | A | 60 ft | 21 |
| Long Lake | 10.9 mi | Beltrami | A | 87 ft | 11 |
| Jessie Lake | 10.9 mi | Beltrami | A | 35 ft | 17 |
| Black Lake | 11.4 mi | Beltrami | A | 42 ft | 13 |
| Hennepin Lake | 11.9 mi | Hubbard | A | 14 ft | 0 |
| Big Lake | 12.2 mi | Beltrami | A | 35 ft | 17 |
| Little Big Lake | 12.4 mi | Beltrami | A | 35 ft | 17 |
| Cass Lake Allens Bay | 12.4 mi | Beltrami | A | 120 ft | 21 |
| Julia Lake | 13 mi | Beltrami | A | 43 ft | 10 |
| Lindgren Lake | 13.6 mi | Beltrami | A | - | 0 |
| Whitefish Lake | 14.1 mi | Beltrami | A | 30 ft | 12 |
| Deer Lake | 14.2 mi | Beltrami | A | 42 ft | 14 |
| Buck Lake | 15.1 mi | Beltrami | A | 40 ft | 0 |
| Long Lake | 15.4 mi | Beltrami | A | 83 ft | 0 |
| South Twin Lake | 15.7 mi | Beltrami | A | 45 ft | 11 |
| North Twin Lake | 15.8 mi | Beltrami | A | 59 ft | 12 |
| Buzzle Lake | 15.8 mi | Beltrami | A | 83 ft | 0 |
| Sandy Lake | 15.9 mi | Beltrami | A | 32 ft | 10 |
| Bullhead Lake | 16.2 mi | Beltrami | A | 40 ft | 0 |
| Hattie Lake | 16.4 mi | Hubbard | A | 39 ft | 15 |
| Cass Lake | 16.5 mi | Beltrami | A | 120 ft | 21 |
| Lasalle Lake | 16.6 mi | Hubbard | A | 213 ft | 15 |
| Pug Hole Lake | 16.6 mi | Beltrami | A | - | 0 |
| Cass Lake Pike Bay | 17.4 mi | Cass | A | 95 ft | 20 |
| Garfield Lake | 17.6 mi | Hubbard | A | 32 ft | 12 |
| Steamboat Lake | 17.7 mi | Cass | A | 93 ft | 15 |
| Pimushe Lake | 17.7 mi | Beltrami | A | 40 ft | 15 |
| Schram Lake | 18.3 mi | Beltrami | A | - | 0 |
| Big Lasalle Lake | 18.6 mi | Clearwater | A | 48 ft | 14 |
| Walker Brook Lake | 19.4 mi | Clearwater | A | 45 ft | 8 |
| Moose Lake | 19.6 mi | Beltrami | A | 71 ft | 12 |
| George Lake | 19.6 mi | Hubbard | A | 29 ft | 13 |
| Alice Lake | 19.7 mi | Hubbard | A | 21 ft | 11 |
| Paine Lake | 20.5 mi | Hubbard | A | 6 ft | 9 |
| Gillett Lake | 20.9 mi | Hubbard | A | 49 ft | 7 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes are near Bemidji?
There are 50 graded lakes within 50 miles of Bemidji, Minnesota. 50 of these have an A water quality grade (excellent).
What are the best lakes near Bemidji for fishing?
40 lakes near Bemidji have documented fish species data. The best fishing lakes combine good water quality grades with diverse fish populations. 39 lakes within 50 miles have 5 or more documented fish species.
Where to stay near Bemidji
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Bemidji — book a place close to the best-rated lakes in the area.
Top-rated places to stay near Bemidji
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.