Best Lakes for Kayaking Near Fargo
North Dakota
9 kayaking lakes within driving distance of Fargo, North Dakota, ranked by water quality and kayaking-specific filters. Filtered for favourable clarity and algae readings, public access, and ideal paddling size (30-3,000 acres).
A moderate cluster of 9 measured lakes lies within reach of Fargo. Turtle Lake has the lowest nutrient and algae readings of the set.
Filtered for kayaking, the nearby-lake list narrows further. kayaking-specific signals, fish species, public access, depth profile, motor-boat congestion, interact with the water-quality readings in different ways depending on the use case.
| # | Lake | County | Distance | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Turtle Lake | Becker | 29.9 mi | 23 ft | 73 ft |
| 2 | Middle Cormorant Lake | Becker | 33.1 mi | 15.1 ft | 40 ft |
| 3 | Ida Lake | Becker | 34.4 mi | 12.1 ft | 20 ft |
| 4 | Maud Lake | Becker | 39.1 mi | 17 ft | 32 ft |
| 5 | Lizzie Lake | Otter Tail | 39.9 mi | 16.4 ft | 66 ft |
| 6 | Prairie Lake | Otter Tail | 38.9 mi | 8.9 ft | 22 ft |
| 7 | Beseau Lake | Becker | 30.5 mi | 7.7 ft | 27 ft |
| 8 | Upper Cormorant Lake | Becker | 32 mi | 8 ft | 29 ft |
| 9 | Tamarac Lake | Otter Tail | 36.8 mi | 6.2 ft | 11 ft |
Other activities near Fargo
Where to stay near Fargo
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Fargo — book a place close to the best-rated lakes in the area.
Top-rated places to stay near Fargo
Prices for Oct 9–11, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Fargo?
Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Fargo — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.