Best Lakes Near Columbus, OH
14 lakes within 50 miles of Columbus ranked by water quality grade.
A moderate cluster of 14 graded lakes lies within reach of Columbus, averaging a grade of D. Alum Creek Lake (A) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alum Creek Lake | 15.8 mi | Delaware | A | - | 0 |
| Marysville Upground Reservoir | 30.1 mi | Union | A | - | 0 |
| New Lexington Reservoir | 44.4 mi | Perry | C | - | 0 |
| Lake Logan | 41.4 mi | Hocking | D | - | 0 |
| Hoover Reservoir | 11.9 mi | Franklin | F | - | 0 |
| O'Shaughnessy Reservoir Lake | 15 mi | Delaware | F | - | 0 |
| Hoover Reservoir | 18 mi | Delaware | F | - | 0 |
| Alum Creek Lake | 22.6 mi | Delaware | F | - | 0 |
| Buck Creek Lake | 38.6 mi | Clark | F | - | 0 |
| Buck Creek Lake | 38.9 mi | Clark | F | - | 0 |
| Buck Creek Lake | 39.1 mi | Clark | F | - | 0 |
| Buck Creek Lake | 39.3 mi | Clark | F | - | 0 |
| Somerset Reservoir | 39.4 mi | Perry | F | - | 0 |
| St Joseph Lake | 39.9 mi | Perry | F | - | 0 |
Top-Rated Lakes Near Columbus
15.8 mi · Delaware County · Grade A
30.1 mi · Union County · Grade A
44.4 mi · Perry County · Grade C
41.4 mi · Hocking County · Grade D
11.9 mi · Franklin County · Grade F
15 mi · Delaware County · Grade F
Lakes Near Other Cities
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes are near Columbus?
There are 14 graded lakes within 50 miles of Columbus, Ohio. 2 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.
Where to stay near Columbus
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.