Best Lakes Near Detroit, MI
50 lakes within 50 miles of Detroit, ranked on agency water-quality readings.
50 lakes within 50 miles of Detroit have nutrient and algae readings on record. Sylvan Lake in Oakland County leads the set on measured water quality, with about 10.3 ft of clarity. 7 of the 50 have a recorded public access point.
Detroit sits in a lake-rich part of the upper Midwest: 50 measured lakes within reach. Sylvan Lake carries the lowest nutrient and algae readings of the cluster.
The lakes below are sorted on measured water quality. 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 | Clarity | Depth | Fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sylvan Lake | 24.9 mi | Oakland | 10.3 ft | - | 14 |
| Twin Lakes | 30.4 mi | Oakland | 5 ft | - | 7 |
| Ore Lake | 39.8 mi | Livingston | 9 ft | 81 ft | 14 |
| Crystal Lake | 40 mi | Washtenaw | 12.5 ft | - | 16 |
| Glacier Lake | 40.2 mi | Washtenaw | 6 ft | - | 1 |
| Cordley Lake | 43 mi | Livingston | — | 31 ft | 7 |
| North Lake | 49.3 mi | Washtenaw | 12.5 ft | 58 ft | 2 |
| Pleasant Lake | 24.5 mi | Oakland | 10 ft | - | 11 |
| Cedar Is Lake | 30.1 mi | Oakland | 10.8 ft | - | 1 |
| Cranberry Lake | 34.8 mi | Oakland | 8.5 ft | 25 ft | 14 |
| Whitewood Lake | 43 mi | Livingston | 10 ft | 50 ft | 1 |
| Tamarack Lake | 43.5 mi | Livingston | 7 ft | 34 ft | 20 |
| Little Portage Lake | 45.5 mi | Washtenaw | 11 ft | - | 1 |
| Tull Lake | 30.8 mi | Oakland | 4.8 ft | - | 1 |
| Indianwood Lake | 34.1 mi | Oakland | 8.8 ft | - | 0 |
| Newburgh Lake | 19.4 mi | Wayne | — | - | 0 |
| Gilbert Lake | 19.7 mi | Oakland | 8.3 ft | 18 ft | 0 |
| Wing Lake | 19.9 mi | Oakland | — | 38 ft | 0 |
| Flat Rock Impoundment | 20.6 mi | Wayne | — | - | 0 |
| Lake St Clair Metropark | 21 mi | Macomb | — | - | 0 |
| Walnut Lake | 21.6 mi | Oakland | — | 46 ft | 0 |
| Lower Long Lake | 21.8 mi | Oakland | — | 42 ft | 0 |
| Island Lake | 21.8 mi | Oakland | — | 35 ft | 0 |
| Bloomfield Lake | 22.7 mi | Oakland | 3.5 ft | - | 17 |
| Upper Long Lake | 23 mi | Oakland | 8 ft | - | 0 |
| Pine Lake | 23.4 mi | Oakland | — | 61 ft | 0 |
| Square Lake | 23.5 mi | Oakland | 23 ft | 67 ft | 1 |
| Clear Spring | 23.6 mi | Macomb | — | 33 ft | 0 |
| Hammond Lake | 23.8 mi | Oakland | — | - | 1 |
| Hammond Lake | 23.8 mi | Oakland | — | 48 ft | 0 |
| Crystal Lake | 24 mi | Oakland | — | 36 ft | 0 |
| Orchard Lake | 24.2 mi | Oakland | — | 110 ft | 0 |
| Dollar Lake | 24.4 mi | Oakland | 9 ft | - | 1 |
| Belleville Lake | 24.5 mi | Wayne | — | 30 ft | 0 |
| Upper Straits Lake | 24.6 mi | Oakland | 14.5 ft | 96 ft | 0 |
| Cass Lake | 25.2 mi | Oakland | 11 ft | 123 ft | 1 |
| Otter Lake | 25.7 mi | Oakland | 10.3 ft | 70 ft | 30 |
| Walled Lake | 25.8 mi | Oakland | — | 52 ft | 0 |
| Green Lake | 26.1 mi | Oakland | 11.8 ft | 72 ft | 1 |
| Middle Straits Lake | 26.2 mi | Oakland | 10.3 ft | 55 ft | 1 |
| Hawk Lake | 26.6 mi | Oakland | 9 ft | - | 0 |
| Elizabeth Lake | 26.8 mi | Oakland | 14 ft | 72 ft | 1 |
| Cross Lake | 27 mi | Oakland | 15 ft | - | 0 |
| Wolverine Lake | 27.3 mi | Oakland | — | 50 ft | 0 |
| Stony Creek Lake | 27.4 mi | Macomb | — | 23 ft | 0 |
| Lower Straits Lake | 27.4 mi | Oakland | — | 31 ft | 0 |
| Union Lake | 27.5 mi | Oakland | — | 110 ft | 0 |
| Crescent Lake | 27.6 mi | Oakland | 10.5 ft | 40 ft | 0 |
| Scott Lake | 28.1 mi | Oakland | — | 47 ft | 0 |
| Watkins Lake | 28.2 mi | Oakland | — | 35 ft | 0 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes are near Detroit?
There are 50 lakes with water-quality readings on record within 50 miles of Detroit, Michigan. 7 of them have a recorded public access point and 28 have a clarity reading.
What are the best lakes near Detroit for fishing?
23 lakes near Detroit have documented fish species data. The best fishing lakes combine favourable water-quality readings with diverse fish populations. 10 lakes within 50 miles have 5 or more documented fish species.
Where to stay near Detroit
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Detroit — book a place close to the cleanest lakes in the area.
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.