Best Lakes Near Fort Wayne, IN
19 lakes within 50 miles of Fort Wayne ranked by water quality grade.
A moderate cluster of 19 graded lakes lies within reach of Fort Wayne, averaging a grade of D. Tiffin R Lake (C) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiffin R Lake | 41.8 mi | Defiance | C | - | 0 |
| Maumee R Upst Independence Dam Lake | 46.9 mi | Defiance | D | - | 0 |
| Auglaize R Lake | 37 mi | Paulding | F | - | 0 |
| Grand Lake St Marys @ Intake | 47.5 mi | Mercer | F | - | 0 |
| Big Barbee Lake | 32.6 mi | Kosciusko | NR | - | 0 |
| Webster Lake | 32.9 mi | Kosciusko | NR | - | 0 |
| James Lake | 34.7 mi | Kosciusko | NR | - | 0 |
| Big Chapman Lake | 36.4 mi | Kosciusko | NR | - | 0 |
| Tippecanoe Lake | 36.7 mi | Kosciusko | NR | - | 0 |
| Lake Wawasee | 36.9 mi | Kosciusko | NR | - | 0 |
| Winona Lake | 37.3 mi | Kosciusko | NR | - | 0 |
| Oswego Lake | 37.7 mi | Kosciusko | NR | - | 0 |
| Pike Lake | 38.5 mi | Kosciusko | NR | - | 0 |
| Dewart Lake | 38.6 mi | Kosciusko | NR | - | 0 |
| Center Lake | 39.1 mi | Kosciusko | NR | - | 0 |
| Syracuse Lake | 39.3 mi | Kosciusko | NR | - | 0 |
| Yellow Creek Lake | 42.4 mi | Kosciusko | NR | - | 0 |
| Beaver Dam Lake | 43.6 mi | Kosciusko | NR | - | 0 |
| Lake George | 47.4 mi | Steuben | NR | - | 0 |
Top-Rated Lakes Near Fort Wayne
41.8 mi · Defiance County · Grade C
46.9 mi · Defiance County · Grade D
37 mi · Paulding County · Grade F
47.5 mi · Mercer County · Grade F
32.6 mi · Kosciusko County · Not rated
32.9 mi · Kosciusko County · Not rated
Lakes Near Other Cities
Plan a lake trip in Indiana
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes are near Fort Wayne?
There are 19 graded lakes within 50 miles of Fort Wayne, Indiana. 0 of these have an A water quality grade (excellent).
What are the best lakes near Fort Wayne for fishing?
0 lakes near Fort Wayne 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 Fort Wayne
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Fort Wayne — book a place close to the best-rated lakes in the area.
Top-rated places to stay near Fort Wayne
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 Fort Wayne?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Fort Wayne — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.