Best Lakes for Kayaking Near Duluth
Minnesota
3 kayaking lakes within driving distance of Duluth, 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).
Lakes near Duluth are sparser (3 graded lakes within reach), so the choices are limited. Smith Lake (A) is the standout.
The kayaking-specific ranking layered on top of the LakeGrade rubric is what produces the list below: a grade-good lake that does not also support the kayaking use case is less useful than a grade-decent lake that does.
| # | Lake | County | Grade | Distance | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smith Lake | St. Louis | A | 26.8 mi | 15 ft | - |
| 2 | Park Lake | Carlton | B | 28.5 mi | 7 ft | - |
| 3 | Saint Croix Flowage Lake | Douglas | B | 38.1 mi | 10.5 ft | - |
Other activities near Duluth
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.