Best Lakes Near Columbus, OH
4 lakes within 50 miles of Columbus ranked by water quality grade.
Columbus is not lake-dense — only 4 graded lakes are within easy reach. The cleanest of those is Buck Creek Lake (D).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buck Creek Lake | 38.6 mi | Clark | D | - | 0 |
| Buck Creek Lake | 38.9 mi | Clark | D | - | 0 |
| Buck Creek Lake | 39.1 mi | Clark | D | - | 0 |
| Buck Creek Lake | 39.3 mi | Clark | D | - | 0 |
Top-Rated Lakes Near Columbus
Lakes Near Other Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes are near Columbus?
There are 4 graded lakes within 50 miles of Columbus, Ohio. 0 of these have an A water quality grade (excellent).
What are the best lakes near Columbus for fishing?
0 lakes near Columbus 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.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.