Best Lakes Near Fort Wayne, IN
29 lakes within 50 miles of Fort Wayne, ranked on agency water-quality readings.
29 lakes within 50 miles of Fort Wayne have nutrient and algae readings on record. Tiffin R Lake in Defiance County leads the set on measured water quality. 8 of the 29 have a recorded public access point.
Fort Wayne sits in a lake-rich part of the upper Midwest: 29 measured lakes within reach. Tiffin R 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiffin R Lake | 41.8 mi | Defiance | — | - | 0 |
| Maumee R Upst Independence Dam Lake | 46.9 mi | Defiance | — | - | 0 |
| Auglaize R Lake | 37 mi | Paulding | — | - | 0 |
| Grand Lake St Marys @ Intake | 47.5 mi | Mercer | — | - | 0 |
| Big Barbee Lake | 32.6 mi | Kosciusko | 3.1 ft | - | 0 |
| Webster Lake | 32.9 mi | Kosciusko | 5.6 ft | - | 0 |
| James Lake | 34.7 mi | Kosciusko | 5.3 ft | - | 0 |
| Big Chapman Lake | 36.4 mi | Kosciusko | 6.9 ft | - | 0 |
| Tippecanoe Lake | 36.7 mi | Kosciusko | 8.5 ft | - | 0 |
| Lake Wawasee | 36.9 mi | Kosciusko | 5.9 ft | - | 0 |
| Winona Lake | 37.3 mi | Kosciusko | 2.8 ft | - | 0 |
| Oswego Lake | 37.7 mi | Kosciusko | 9.9 ft | - | 0 |
| Pike Lake | 38.5 mi | Kosciusko | 1.9 ft | - | 0 |
| Dewart Lake | 38.6 mi | Kosciusko | 10.2 ft | - | 0 |
| Center Lake | 39.1 mi | Kosciusko | 8.7 ft | - | 0 |
| Syracuse Lake | 39.3 mi | Kosciusko | 8.8 ft | - | 0 |
| Yellow Creek Lake | 42.4 mi | Kosciusko | 2.8 ft | - | 0 |
| Beaver Dam Lake | 43.6 mi | Kosciusko | 3.1 ft | - | 0 |
| Pleasant Lake | 46.9 mi | Branch | — | - | 0 |
| Michiana Lake | 47.3 mi | Branch | — | - | 0 |
| George lake | 47.4 mi | Branch | — | - | 0 |
| Lake George | 47.4 mi | Steuben | 14.5 ft | - | 0 |
| Lake Lavine | 47.9 mi | Branch | — | 60 ft | 0 |
| Silver Lake | 48.9 mi | Branch | — | 30 ft | 0 |
| Pleasant Lake | 48.9 mi | Branch | — | 50 ft | 0 |
| Huyck Lake | 49 mi | Branch | — | 43 ft | 0 |
| Long Lake | 49.3 mi | Hillsdale | — | - | 0 |
| Gilead Lake | 49.5 mi | Branch | — | 40 ft | 0 |
| Dragon Lake | 49.6 mi | Branch | — | 38 ft | 0 |
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Cleanest Lakes Near Fort Wayne
41.8 mi · Defiance County
46.9 mi · Defiance County
37 mi · Paulding County
47.5 mi · Mercer County
32.6 mi · Kosciusko County · 3.1 ft clarity
32.9 mi · Kosciusko County · 5.6 ft clarity
Lakes Near Other Cities
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes are near Fort Wayne?
There are 29 lakes with water-quality readings on record within 50 miles of Fort Wayne, Indiana. 8 of them have a recorded public access point and 15 have a clarity reading.
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 favourable water-quality readings with diverse fish populations. 0 lakes within 50 miles have 5 or more documented fish species.
Where to stay near Fort Wayne
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.