Best Lakes Near Grand Rapids, MN
50 lakes within 50 miles of Grand Rapids ranked by water quality grade.
Grand Rapids sits in a lake-rich part of the upper Midwest: 50 graded lakes within reach, average grade A. Little Jay Gould Lake (A) leads the cluster.
The lakes below are sorted by overall letter grade. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Jay Gould Lake | 3.9 mi | Itasca | A | 56 ft | 16 |
| Jay Gould Lake | 4.5 mi | Itasca | A | 33 ft | 16 |
| Pokegama Lake | 4.6 mi | Itasca | A | 112 ft | 19 |
| Long Lake | 5.9 mi | Itasca | A | 85 ft | 12 |
| Siseebakwet Lake | 8.9 mi | Itasca | A | 105 ft | 11 |
| South Sugar Lake | 9.8 mi | Itasca | A | 36 ft | 8 |
| Deer Lake | 11.4 mi | Itasca | A | 121 ft | 17 |
| Bluewater Lake | 12.6 mi | Itasca | A | 120 ft | 15 |
| Wabana Lake | 12.8 mi | Itasca | A | 115 ft | 14 |
| Shallow Lake | 13.1 mi | Itasca | A | 85 ft | 12 |
| Little Trout Lake | 13.9 mi | Itasca | A | 80 ft | 11 |
| Johnson Lake | 14.6 mi | Itasca | A | 88 ft | 11 |
| Trout Lake | 15.7 mi | Itasca | A | 157 ft | 9 |
| Sugar Lake | 16 mi | Cass | A | 44 ft | 11 |
| Swan Lake | 16.6 mi | Itasca | A | 65 ft | 17 |
| Helen Lake | 21 mi | Itasca | A | 33 ft | 10 |
| Dead Horse Lake | 21.4 mi | Itasca | A | 30 ft | 6 |
| North Star Lake | 22.9 mi | Itasca | A | 90 ft | 13 |
| Little Sand Lake | 22.9 mi | Cass | A | 12 ft | 10 |
| Big Ole Lake | 23.1 mi | Itasca | A | 65 ft | 10 |
| Island Lake | 23.4 mi | St. Louis | A | 65 ft | 8 |
| Big Island Lake | 23.4 mi | Itasca | A | 42 ft | 6 |
| Jack the Horse Lake | 26.7 mi | Itasca | A | 45 ft | 14 |
| Burns Lake | 26.8 mi | Itasca | A | 100 ft | 10 |
| Swift Lake | 27.7 mi | Cass | A | 52 ft | 13 |
| Schoolhouse Lake | 27.8 mi | Itasca | A | - | 0 |
| Turtle Lake | 28.6 mi | Itasca | A | 54 ft | 0 |
| Thunder Lake | 28.8 mi | Cass | A | 95 ft | 17 |
| Six Mile Lake | 28.9 mi | Cass | A | 68 ft | 16 |
| Maple Lake | 29.4 mi | Itasca | A | 39 ft | 13 |
| Portage Lake | 29.5 mi | Cass | A | - | 0 |
| Upper Trelipe Lake | 29.8 mi | Cass | A | 69 ft | 15 |
| Boy Lake | 30.1 mi | Cass | A | 45 ft | 20 |
| Bello Lake | 31.5 mi | Itasca | A | 58 ft | 12 |
| Island Lake | 32.1 mi | Cass | A | 45 ft | 12 |
| Long Lake | 32.3 mi | Itasca | A | 72 ft | 10 |
| Leavitt Lake | 32.6 mi | Cass | A | 60 ft | 15 |
| Sand Lake | 32.7 mi | Itasca | A | 60 ft | 0 |
| Sandwick Lake | 32.7 mi | Itasca | A | 36 ft | 9 |
| Washburn Lake | 33.3 mi | Cass | A | 111 ft | 21 |
| Rush Island Lake | 33.4 mi | Itasca | A | 32 ft | 14 |
| Inguadona Lake | 33.5 mi | Cass | A | 79 ft | 20 |
| Coon-Sandwick Lake | 33.6 mi | Itasca | A | 36 ft | 9 |
| Long Lake | 33.7 mi | Cass | A | 115 ft | 14 |
| Boy Bay Lake | 34.2 mi | Cass | A | - | 0 |
| Lawrence Lake | 34.6 mi | Cass | A | 71 ft | 16 |
| Greeley Lake | 34.8 mi | Itasca | A | 43 ft | 1 |
| Maple Lake | 34.9 mi | Cass | A | 45 ft | 0 |
| Ames Lake | 35.2 mi | Itasca | A | 51 ft | 13 |
| South Sturgeon Lake | 35.4 mi | St. Louis | A | 43 ft | 10 |
Top-Rated Lakes Near Grand Rapids
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes are near Grand Rapids?
There are 50 graded lakes within 50 miles of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. 50 of these have an A water quality grade (excellent).
What are the best lakes near Grand Rapids for fishing?
44 lakes near Grand Rapids have documented fish species data. The best fishing lakes combine good water quality grades with diverse fish populations. 43 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 best-rated lakes in the area.
Top-rated places to stay near Grand Rapids
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.