Is it safe to swim in lakes near Bemidji?

That is a call for Minnesota's water agency and the county health department, who post current advisories. 30 lakes within driving distance of Bemidji pass the low-algae screen (favourable clarity and nutrient readings, chlorophyll-a under 15 µg/L, public access). The top pick on those readings is Bemidji Lake in Beltrami County, 4.6 miles away. Bacteria can spike after heavy rain, so always check the current advisories before you swim.

Which lakes near Bemidji have bacteria testing?

None of the lakes near Bemidji have enough recent bacteria samples on record, so these lakes are screened on water clarity and algae (chlorophyll-a) instead. Always check posted advisories before swimming.

What is the cleanest swimming lake near Bemidji?

Bemidji Lake (Beltrami County) is the cleanest swim lake near Bemidji on measured clarity and nutrients, with 12.5 ft of water clarity.

Swimming Lakes Near Bemidji, MN: Clarity, Algae and Bacteria Readings (2026)

30 lakes within driving distance of Bemidji, Minnesota pass the low-algae screen — favourable clarity and nutrient readings, low algae, and public access. 0 have direct bacteria (E. coli) testing on record. Filtered for the clearest, lowest-nutrient readings in the sampling record, low algae (chlorophyll-a under 15 µg/L), and public access. Not a swimming clearance: always check local advisories on the day you swim.

Within reasonable driving distance of Bemidji sit 30 measured lakes, a lake-dense area that gives residents real choice on any given weekend.

The swimming-specific ranking layered on top of the readings is what produces the list below: a lake with clean readings that does not also support the swimming use case is less useful than a decent one that does.

#	Lake	County	Bacteria	Distance	Clarity	Depth
1	Bemidji Lake	Beltrami	Low algae	4.6 mi	12.5 ft	76 ft
2	Plantagenet Lake	Hubbard	Low algae	5.8 mi	7 ft	65 ft
3	Stump Lake	Beltrami	Low algae	6 mi	13 ft	24 ft
4	Grant Lake	Beltrami	Low algae	6 mi	10.7 ft	92 ft
5	Big Bass Lake	Beltrami	Low algae	6.1 mi	10.5 ft	17 ft
6	Newman Lake	Hubbard	Low algae	7 mi	17.1 ft	63 ft
7	Movil Lake	Beltrami	Low algae	8.2 mi	14 ft	50 ft
8	Beltrami Lake	Beltrami	Low algae	8.8 mi	11.2 ft	50 ft
9	Turtle Lake	Beltrami	Low algae	9.8 mi	10.2 ft	45 ft
10	Wolf Lake	Beltrami	Limited data	9.8 mi	9 ft	57 ft
11	Midge Lake	Hubbard	Low algae	9.9 mi	18 ft	24 ft
12	Three Island Lake	Beltrami	Low algae	10.4 mi	11.8 ft	25 ft
13	Andrusia Lake	Beltrami	Low algae	10.6 mi	15.1 ft	60 ft
14	Jessie Lake	Beltrami	Limited data	10.9 mi	4.6 ft	35 ft
15	Black Lake	Beltrami	Low algae	11.4 mi	10.3 ft	42 ft
16	Hennepin Lake	Hubbard	Limited data	11.9 mi	10 ft	14 ft
17	Big Lake	Beltrami	Low algae	12.2 mi	9.7 ft	35 ft
18	Little Big Lake	Beltrami	Limited data	12.4 mi	9.3 ft	35 ft
19	Julia Lake	Beltrami	Low algae	13 mi	9.2 ft	43 ft
20	Whitefish Lake	Beltrami	Limited data	14.1 mi	12.5 ft	30 ft
21	Deer Lake	Beltrami	Low algae	14.2 mi	11 ft	42 ft
22	Long Lake	Beltrami	Low algae	15.4 mi	10 ft	83 ft
23	South Twin Lake	Beltrami	Low algae	15.7 mi	16.7 ft	45 ft
24	North Twin Lake	Beltrami	Low algae	15.8 mi	17.4 ft	59 ft
25	Buzzle Lake	Beltrami	Low algae	15.8 mi	17.1 ft	83 ft
26	Sandy Lake	Beltrami	Limited data	15.9 mi	14 ft	32 ft
27	Hattie Lake	Hubbard	Low algae	16.4 mi	12.5 ft	39 ft
28	Cass Lake	Beltrami	Limited data	16.5 mi	18.5 ft	120 ft
29	Lasalle Lake	Hubbard	Limited data	16.6 mi	6.9 ft	213 ft
30	Cass Lake Pike Bay	Cass	Limited data	17.4 mi	13.6 ft	95 ft

Other activities near Bemidji

Fishing near Bemidji →Kayaking near Bemidji →Boating near Bemidji →All lakes near Bemidji →

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

Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.

Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.

Planning a trip to Bemidji?

Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Bemidji — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.