Best Lakes for Kayaking Near Brainerd
Minnesota
30 kayaking lakes within driving distance of Brainerd, Minnesota, ranked by water quality and kayaking-specific filters. Filtered for grade A, B, or C water quality, public access, and ideal paddling size (30-3,000 acres).
Brainerd sits in a lake-rich part of the upper Midwest: 30 graded lakes within reach, average grade A. Perch Lake (A) leads the cluster.
Filtered for kayaking, the nearby-lake list narrows further. kayaking-specific signals — fish species, public access, depth profile, motor-boat congestion — interact with the LakeGrade rubric in different ways depending on the use case.
| # | Lake | County | Grade | Distance | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Perch Lake | Crow Wing | A | 3.3 mi | 15.3 ft | 40 ft |
| 2 | Sorenson Lake | Crow Wing | A | 7.1 mi | 16.1 ft | 46 ft |
| 3 | Little Hubert Lake | Crow Wing | A | 8.3 mi | 18 ft | 41 ft |
| 4 | Hubert Lake | Crow Wing | A | 9.1 mi | 17.1 ft | 83 ft |
| 5 | Sylvan Lake | Cass | A | 9.6 mi | 19.5 ft | - |
| 6 | Sagamore Mine Lake | Crow Wing | A | 9.6 mi | 23.8 ft | 210 ft |
| 7 | Silver Lake | Crow Wing | A | 11.1 mi | 17 ft | 23 ft |
| 8 | Edward Lake | Crow Wing | A | 11.2 mi | 15.5 ft | 75 ft |
| 9 | Lougee Lake | Crow Wing | A | 13.2 mi | 16.1 ft | 53 ft |
| 10 | Pillager Lake | Cass | A | 13.2 mi | 15.1 ft | 39 ft |
| 11 | Lower Cullen Lake | Crow Wing | A | 13.4 mi | 17.4 ft | 39 ft |
| 12 | Edna Lake | Crow Wing | A | 13.4 mi | 18 ft | 63 ft |
| 13 | Little Pelican Lake | Crow Wing | A | 13.8 mi | 17.2 ft | 34 ft |
| 14 | Crooked Lake | Crow Wing | A | 14.4 mi | 15 ft | 54 ft |
| 15 | East Twin Lake | Crow Wing | A | 14.5 mi | 15 ft | 45 ft |
| 16 | Serpent Lake | Crow Wing | A | 15 mi | 25 ft | 65 ft |
| 17 | Bay Lake | Crow Wing | A | 16.5 mi | 18.5 ft | 74 ft |
| 18 | Island Lake | Crow Wing | A | 16.6 mi | - | 36 ft |
| 19 | Partridge Lake | Crow Wing | A | 17.4 mi | 16.2 ft | 42 ft |
| 20 | Knieff Lake | Crow Wing | A | 17.6 mi | 19 ft | 42 ft |
| 21 | Alexander Lake | Morrison | A | 19.3 mi | 16.5 ft | 64 ft |
| 22 | Ossawinnamakee Lake | Crow Wing | A | 19.6 mi | 20 ft | 63 ft |
| 23 | Clear Lake | Crow Wing | A | 19.9 mi | 18 ft | 63 ft |
| 24 | Big Pine Lake | Aitkin | A | 20.3 mi | 17 ft | 78 ft |
| 25 | Kimball Lake | Crow Wing | A | 20.4 mi | 18.4 ft | 77 ft |
| 26 | Clamshell Lake | Crow Wing | A | 21.6 mi | 15.1 ft | 44 ft |
| 27 | Lower Hay Lake | Crow Wing | A | 21.9 mi | 18.5 ft | 100 ft |
| 28 | Lower Hay Lake | Crow Wing | A | 21.9 mi | 19.5 ft | 100 ft |
| 29 | Pig Lake | Crow Wing | A | 22 mi | 17.2 ft | 56 ft |
| 30 | Island Lake | Crow Wing | A | 24.6 mi | 15.1 ft | 76 ft |
Other activities near Brainerd
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
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 Brainerd?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Brainerd — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.