Best Lakes Near Detroit Lakes, MN
50 lakes within 50 miles of Detroit Lakes ranked by water quality grade.
Detroit Lakes sits in a lake-rich part of the upper Midwest: 50 graded lakes within reach, average grade A. Detroit 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lake | 1.8 mi | Becker | A | 89 ft | 19 |
| Long Lake | 2.2 mi | Becker | A | 61 ft | 16 |
| Curfman Lake | 2.8 mi | Becker | A | 24 ft | 0 |
| Glawe Lake | 3.1 mi | Becker | A | 24 ft | 0 |
| Sallie Lake | 3.7 mi | Becker | A | 50 ft | 16 |
| Floyd Lake | 3.8 mi | Becker | A | 34 ft | 16 |
| Little Floyd Lake | 3.9 mi | Becker | A | 34 ft | 16 |
| Fox Lake | 4 mi | Becker | A | 24 ft | 13 |
| Abbey Lake | 4 mi | Becker | A | - | 0 |
| Tamarac Lake | 4.5 mi | Becker | A | 34 ft | 16 |
| Mud Lake | 4.6 mi | Becker | A | 34 ft | 16 |
| Meadow Lake | 4.6 mi | Becker | A | 72 ft | 11 |
| Cottage Lake | 5.1 mi | Becker | A | - | 0 |
| Lind Lake | 5.3 mi | Becker | A | - | 0 |
| Johnson Lake | 5.4 mi | Becker | A | 30 ft | 0 |
| Pearl Lake | 5.4 mi | Becker | A | 54 ft | 11 |
| Melissa Lake | 5.7 mi | Becker | A | 37 ft | 16 |
| Loon Lake | 6.2 mi | Becker | A | - | 0 |
| Sands Lake | 6.4 mi | Becker | A | - | 0 |
| Pickerel Lake | 6.6 mi | Becker | A | 74 ft | 14 |
| Mill Lake | 7 mi | Becker | A | 10 ft | 14 |
| Maud Lake | 8 mi | Becker | A | 32 ft | 15 |
| Six Lake | 8 mi | Otter Tail | A | 140 ft | 11 |
| Eunice Lake | 8.1 mi | Becker | A | 30 ft | 17 |
| Trowbridge Lake | 9.1 mi | Otter Tail | A | 76 ft | 13 |
| Little Pelican Lake | 9.1 mi | Otter Tail | A | 25 ft | 2 |
| Scalp Lake | 9.3 mi | Otter Tail | A | 90 ft | 13 |
| Leek Lake | 9.6 mi | Otter Tail | A | - | 0 |
| South Tamarac Lake | 9.9 mi | Becker | A | - | 0 |
| Wimer Lake | 10 mi | Otter Tail | A | 58 ft | 16 |
| Big Cormorant Lake | 10.5 mi | Becker | A | 75 ft | 16 |
| Pelican Lake | 11.5 mi | Otter Tail | A | 55 ft | 20 |
| Pine Lake | 11.8 mi | Becker | A | - | 0 |
| Long Lake | 12 mi | Otter Tail | A | 128 ft | 16 |
| Fish Lake | 12 mi | Otter Tail | A | 69 ft | 17 |
| Bass Lake | 12 mi | Otter Tail | A | - | 0 |
| Franklin Lake | 12.8 mi | Otter Tail | A | 48 ft | 18 |
| East Loon Lake | 12.9 mi | Otter Tail | A | 105 ft | 17 |
| Ida Lake | 13 mi | Becker | A | 20 ft | 14 |
| Little Toad Lake | 13.3 mi | Becker | A | 65 ft | 15 |
| Middle Cormorant Lake | 13.4 mi | Becker | A | 40 ft | 13 |
| Sybil Lake | 13.4 mi | Otter Tail | A | 74 ft | 16 |
| Flat Lake | 14.1 mi | Becker | A | - | 0 |
| Johnson Lake | 14.3 mi | Becker | A | - | 0 |
| Lizzie Lake | 14.7 mi | Otter Tail | A | 66 ft | 21 |
| Kerbs Lake | 15.1 mi | Otter Tail | A | - | 0 |
| Big Sugar Bush Lake | 15.7 mi | Becker | A | 42 ft | 13 |
| Turtle Lake | 15.7 mi | Becker | A | 73 ft | 13 |
| Little Mcdonald Lake | 15.7 mi | Otter Tail | A | 109 ft | 14 |
| Devil'S Lake | 15.9 mi | Otter Tail | A | 67 ft | 11 |
Top-Rated Lakes Near Detroit Lakes
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Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Minnesota's top lakes, each with its grade
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes are near Detroit Lakes?
There are 50 graded lakes within 50 miles of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. 50 of these have an A water quality grade (excellent).
What are the best lakes near Detroit Lakes for fishing?
35 lakes near Detroit Lakes have documented fish species data. The best fishing lakes combine good water quality grades with diverse fish populations. 34 lakes within 50 miles have 5 or more documented fish species.
Where to stay near Detroit Lakes
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Detroit Lakes — book a place close to the best-rated lakes in the area.
Top-rated places to stay near Detroit Lakes
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.