Best Lakes Near Brainerd, MN
50 lakes within 50 miles of Brainerd ranked by water quality grade.
Brainerd sits in a lake-rich part of the upper Midwest: 50 graded lakes within reach, average grade A. Gilbert Lake (A) leads the cluster.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gilbert Lake | 1.8 mi | Crow Wing | A | 45 ft | 9 |
| White Sand Lake | 4.3 mi | Crow Wing | A | 27 ft | 14 |
| Red Sand Lake | 4.4 mi | Crow Wing | A | 23 ft | 10 |
| Middle Whipple Lake | 5.1 mi | Crow Wing | A | 28.7 ft | 11 |
| North Long Lake | 6.7 mi | Crow Wing | A | 97 ft | 18 |
| Sorenson Lake | 7.1 mi | Crow Wing | A | 46 ft | 0 |
| Round Lake | 7.8 mi | Crow Wing | A | 51 ft | 20 |
| Dade Lake | 8.1 mi | Cass | A | - | 4 |
| Little Hubert Lake | 8.3 mi | Crow Wing | A | 41 ft | 0 |
| Gladstone Lake | 8.3 mi | Crow Wing | A | 36 ft | 15 |
| Hubert Lake | 9.1 mi | Crow Wing | A | 83 ft | 16 |
| Gull Lake | 9.2 mi | Cass | A | 80 ft | 22 |
| Sylvan Lake | 9.6 mi | Cass | A | - | 0 |
| Clark Lake | 11.1 mi | Crow Wing | A | 31 ft | 14 |
| Edward Lake | 11.2 mi | Crow Wing | A | 75 ft | 15 |
| Nisswa Lake | 12.2 mi | Crow Wing | A | 23 ft | 17 |
| Perch Lake | 12.3 mi | Crow Wing | A | - | 0 |
| Roy Lake | 12.4 mi | Crow Wing | A | 26 ft | 16 |
| Ray Lake | 12.8 mi | Cass | A | 27 ft | 17 |
| Bass Lake | 13 mi | Crow Wing | A | 27 ft | 14 |
| Lougee Lake | 13.2 mi | Crow Wing | A | 53 ft | 11 |
| Pillager Lake | 13.2 mi | Cass | A | 39 ft | 12 |
| Upper Gull Lake | 13.4 mi | Cass | A | 54 ft | 20 |
| Lower Cullen Lake | 13.4 mi | Crow Wing | A | 39 ft | 16 |
| Edna Lake | 13.4 mi | Crow Wing | A | 63 ft | 10 |
| Portage Lake | 13.5 mi | Crow Wing | A | 37 ft | 15 |
| Clearwater Lake | 13.8 mi | Crow Wing | A | 54 ft | 16 |
| Little Pelican Lake | 13.8 mi | Crow Wing | A | 34 ft | 12 |
| Middle Cullen Lake | 13.8 mi | Crow Wing | A | 48 ft | 15 |
| West Twin Lake | 14.3 mi | Crow Wing | A | 42 ft | 12 |
| Hanks Lake | 14.3 mi | Crow Wing | A | 45 ft | 14 |
| Crooked Lake | 14.4 mi | Crow Wing | A | 54 ft | 16 |
| Pelican Lake | 14.5 mi | Crow Wing | A | 104 ft | 17 |
| Upper Mission Lake | 14.5 mi | Crow Wing | A | 36 ft | 13 |
| East Twin Lake | 14.5 mi | Crow Wing | A | 45 ft | 10 |
| Upper Cullen Lake | 14.5 mi | Crow Wing | A | 40 ft | 14 |
| Unnamed Lake | 14.9 mi | Crow Wing | A | - | 0 |
| Serpent Lake | 15 mi | Crow Wing | A | 65 ft | 17 |
| Young Lake | 15.2 mi | Crow Wing | A | 21 ft | 0 |
| Placid Lake | 15.8 mi | Crow Wing | A | 39 ft | 0 |
| Horseshoe Lake | 16.1 mi | Crow Wing | A | 56 ft | 11 |
| Bay Lake | 16.5 mi | Crow Wing | A | 74 ft | 13 |
| Loon Lake | 16.8 mi | Cass | A | 25 ft | 12 |
| Borden Lake | 17.1 mi | Crow Wing | A | 84 ft | 16 |
| Rabbit Lake | 17.6 mi | Crow Wing | A | - | 0 |
| Round Lake | 19.1 mi | Aitkin | A | 125 ft | 18 |
| Alexander Lake | 19.3 mi | Morrison | A | 64 ft | 19 |
| Ossawinnamakee Lake | 19.6 mi | Crow Wing | A | 63 ft | 18 |
| Pine Lake | 19.7 mi | Crow Wing | A | 16.9 ft | 14 |
| Sullivan Lake | 19.8 mi | Morrison | A | 57 ft | 18 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes are near Brainerd?
There are 50 graded lakes within 50 miles of Brainerd, Minnesota. 50 of these have an A water quality grade (excellent).
What are the best lakes near Brainerd for fishing?
42 lakes near Brainerd have documented fish species data. The best fishing lakes combine good water quality grades with diverse fish populations. 41 lakes within 50 miles have 5 or more documented fish species.
Where to stay near Brainerd
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Brainerd — book a place close to the best-rated lakes in the area.
Top-rated places to stay near Brainerd
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.