Best Lakes Near Grand Rapids, MI, 50 Lakes Within 50 Miles

50 lakes within 50 miles of Grand Rapids have nutrient and algae readings on record. Emerald Lake in Kent County leads the set on measured water quality, with about 11.5 ft of clarity. 10 of the 50 have a recorded public access point.

Grand Rapids sits in a lake-rich part of the upper Midwest: 50 measured lakes within reach. Emerald 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.

Lakes Within 50 mi

With Clarity Readings

With Fish Data

Public Access

Lake	Distance	County	Clarity	Depth	Fish
Emerald Lake	4.6 mi	Kent	11.5 ft	-	15
High Lake	13.4 mi	Kent	6.3 ft	-	0
Bostwick Lake	13.8 mi	Kent	8.8 ft	24 ft	0
Murray Lake	15.6 mi	Kent	9 ft	-	29
Duncan Lake	16.3 mi	Barry	3.5 ft	55 ft	0
Big Pine Island Lake	18 mi	Kent	9.3 ft	40 ft	0
Whitefish Lake	25.8 mi	Montcalm	13.5 ft	-	21
Maston Lake	26.8 mi	Kent	11.3 ft	-	0
Muskellunge Lake	27.1 mi	Kent	13.5 ft	-	10
Bills Lake	29.7 mi	Newaygo	13 ft	90 ft	0
Derby Lake	34.6 mi	Montcalm	14 ft	87 ft	12
Little Long Lake	39.1 mi	Barry	13 ft	30 ft	1
Osterhout Lake	40.8 mi	Allegan	9 ft	-	0
Crystal Lake	42.2 mi	Montcalm	10 ft	70 ft	0
Duck Lake	45 mi	Muskegon	11 ft	-	22
School Section Lake	48.2 mi	Mecosta	11.8 ft	33 ft	0
Mecosta Lake	48.9 mi	Mecosta	9.5 ft	39 ft	0
Round Lake	49.1 mi	Mecosta	9 ft	45 ft	0
Hutchins Lake	35.3 mi	Allegan	13 ft	-	0
Owasippe Lake	42.9 mi	Muskegon	10 ft	-	0
Moore Lake	23.9 mi	Allegan	6.2 ft	-	0
Ingerson Lake	25.1 mi	Allegan	9 ft	-	0
Indian Lake	43.4 mi	Kalamazoo	7.2 ft	-	1
Boot Lake	44 mi	Kalamazoo	7 ft	-	0
Reeds Lake	3.4 mi	Kent	—	51 ft	0
Dean Lake	5.5 mi	Kent	—	10 ft	0
Fennessy Lake	6.2 mi	Ottawa	—	24 ft	0
Little Pine Island Lake	9 mi	Kent	—	62 ft	0
Cedar Lake	9 mi	Ottawa	—	26 ft	0
Freska Lake	10.4 mi	Kent	—	30 ft	0
Cranberry Lake	11.6 mi	Ottawa	—	30 ft	0
Grass Lake	11.7 mi	Kent	—	30 ft	0
Meek Lake	12.5 mi	Kent	9 ft	-	0
Silver Lake	12.6 mi	Kent	—	60 ft	0
Nelson Lake	12.8 mi	Kent	7 ft	-	0
Pickerel Lake	12.8 mi	Kent	—	30 ft	0
Bailey Lake	12.8 mi	Kent	—	31 ft	0
Ratigan Lake	13 mi	Kent	—	37 ft	0
High Lake	13.4 mi	Kent	6.3 ft	-	0
Bostwick Lake	13.8 mi	Kent	8.8 ft	24 ft	0
Campau Lake	14 mi	Kent	—	15 ft	0
Brower Lake	14.5 mi	Kent	—	41 ft	0
Camp Lake	14.7 mi	Kent	—	50 ft	0
Green Lake	15.1 mi	Allegan	8 ft	60 ft	20
Myers Lake	15.1 mi	Kent	—	41 ft	0
Big Crooked Lake	15.3 mi	Kent	11.5 ft	-	0
Stoner Lake	16.1 mi	Kent	—	5 ft	0
Round Lake	16.2 mi	Kent	8 ft	-	37
Cowan Lake	16.3 mi	Kent	—	35 ft	0
Crockery Lake	16.9 mi	Ottawa	4 ft	54 ft	0

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Cleanest Lakes Near Grand Rapids

Emerald Lake

4.6 mi · Kent County · 11.5 ft clarity

High Lake

13.4 mi · Kent County · 6.3 ft clarity

Bostwick Lake

13.8 mi · Kent County · 8.8 ft clarity

Murray Lake

15.6 mi · Kent County · 9 ft clarity

Duncan Lake

16.3 mi · Barry County · 3.5 ft clarity

Big Pine Island Lake

18 mi · Kent County · 9.3 ft clarity

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many lakes are near Grand Rapids?

There are 50 lakes with water-quality readings on record within 50 miles of Grand Rapids, Michigan. 10 of them have a recorded public access point and 32 have a clarity reading.

What are the best lakes near Grand Rapids for fishing?

10 lakes near Grand Rapids have documented fish species data. The best fishing lakes combine favourable water-quality readings with diverse fish populations. 8 lakes within 50 miles have 5 or more documented fish species.

Where to stay near Grand Rapids

Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Grand Rapids — book a place close to the cleanest lakes in the area.

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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.