Best Lakes Near Bismarck, ND
11 lakes within 50 miles of Bismarck ranked by water quality grade.
A moderate cluster of 11 graded lakes lies within reach of Bismarck, averaging a grade of D. Nelson Lake (C) is the cleanest of the set.
The lakes below are sorted by composite LakeGrade rubric score. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nelson Lake | 26.8 mi | Oliver | C | - | 0 |
| East Arroda Lake | 36 mi | Oliver | C | - | 0 |
| Arroda Lake | 36 mi | Oliver | C | - | 0 |
| Mcdowell Dam Lake | 7.2 mi | Burleigh | D | - | 0 |
| Nygren Dam Lake | 25.3 mi | Morton | D | - | 0 |
| Froelich Dam Lake | 45.8 mi | Sioux | D | - | 0 |
| Cherry Lake | 46.7 mi | Kidder | D | - | 0 |
| Harmon Lake | 12.3 mi | Morton | F | - | 0 |
| Sweet Briar Dam-Mid Reservoir | 23.5 mi | Morton | F | - | 0 |
| Sweetbriar Dam Lake | 23.6 mi | Morton | F | - | 0 |
| Long Lake | 29.6 mi | Burleigh | NR | - | 0 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes are near Bismarck?
There are 11 graded lakes within 50 miles of Bismarck, North Dakota. 0 of these have an A water quality grade (excellent).
What are the best lakes near Bismarck for fishing?
0 lakes near Bismarck have documented fish species data. The best fishing lakes combine good water quality grades with diverse fish populations. 0 lakes within 50 miles have 5 or more documented fish species.
Where to stay near Bismarck
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.