Best Lakes Near Madison, WI
50 lakes within 50 miles of Madison ranked by water quality grade.
Within reasonable driving distance of Madison sit 50 graded lakes — a lake-dense area that gives residents real choice on any given weekend. The average grade across the nearby set is B.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Okauchee Lake | 49 mi | Waukesha | A | 90 ft | 6 |
| Lake Wingra | 1.8 mi | Dane | B | 14 ft | 5 |
| Lake Waubesa | 6 mi | Dane | B | 38 ft | 7 |
| Lake Ripley | 21.2 mi | Jefferson | B | 44 ft | 4 |
| Red Cedar Lake | 21.9 mi | Jefferson | B | 6 ft | 1 |
| Rock Lake | 23.7 mi | Jefferson | B | 60 ft | 5 |
| Silver Lake West Basin | 33.3 mi | Columbia | B | 42 ft | 5 |
| Silver Lake | 33.5 mi | Columbia | B | 42 ft | 5 |
| Bakkens Pond | 37.9 mi | Sauk | B | - | 0 |
| Whitewater Lake | 41.6 mi | Walworth | B | 35 ft | 4 |
| Blue Spring Lake | 43.2 mi | Jefferson | B | 27 ft | 3 |
| Turtle Lake | 43.6 mi | Walworth | B | 30 ft | 3 |
| Golden Lake | 43.8 mi | Waukesha | B | 44 ft | 4 |
| Black Hawk Lake | 44.6 mi | Iowa | B | 42 ft | 4 |
| Lac la Belle Lake | 44.8 mi | Waukesha | B | 45 ft | 5 |
| School Section Lake | 45.8 mi | Waukesha | B | 8 ft | 3 |
| Fowler Lake | 45.9 mi | Waukesha | B | 50 ft | 4 |
| Silver Lake | 46.1 mi | Waukesha | B | 40 ft | 3 |
| Pretty Lake | 46.4 mi | Waukesha | B | 31 ft | 3 |
| Green Lake | 46.7 mi | Walworth | B | 57 ft | 4 |
| Middle Lake | 47.1 mi | Walworth | B | 40 ft | 4 |
| Pleasant Lake | 47.2 mi | Walworth | B | 29 ft | 4 |
| Ashippun Lake | 47.3 mi | Waukesha | B | 35 ft | 4 |
| Mill Lake | 47.3 mi | Walworth | B | 40 ft | 4 |
| Ottawa Lake | 47.4 mi | Waukesha | B | 16 ft | 4 |
| Oconomowoc Lake | 47.5 mi | Waukesha | B | 60 ft | 5 |
| Williams Lake | 47.7 mi | Marquette | B | - | 0 |
| Crooked Lake | 47.8 mi | Waukesha | B | 16 ft | 3 |
| Hunters Lake | 47.9 mi | Waukesha | B | 36 ft | 3 |
| Jordan Lake | 47.9 mi | Adams | B | 92 ft | 5 |
| Oconomowoc Lake Site | 48.6 mi | Waukesha | B | 60 ft | 5 |
| Lower Nashotah Lake | 48.9 mi | Waukesha | B | 43 ft | 6 |
| Lower Nemahbin Lake | 48.9 mi | Waukesha | B | 36 ft | 5 |
| Upper Nemahbin Lake | 49 mi | Waukesha | B | 60 ft | 5 |
| Okauchee Lake Site | 49.1 mi | Waukesha | B | 90 ft | 6 |
| Crooked Lake | 49.2 mi | Adams | B | 56 ft | 3 |
| Fawn Lake | 49.4 mi | Adams | B | - | 0 |
| Ocauchee Lake | 49.4 mi | Waukesha | B | 90 ft | 6 |
| Okauchee Lake Deep Hole Usgs | 49.5 mi | Waukesha | B | 90 ft | 6 |
| Parker Lake | 49.9 mi | Adams | B | 36 ft | 3 |
| Meister Addition West Pond | 9.9 mi | Dane | C | - | 0 |
| Clear Lake | 28.5 mi | Rock | C | 12 ft | 3 |
| Long Lake | 39.7 mi | Sauk | C | - | 0 |
| White Mound Lake | 39.9 mi | Sauk | C | 16 ft | 3 |
| Lake Lorraine | 41.1 mi | Walworth | C | 8 ft | 2 |
| Cruson Slough Lake | 43.1 mi | Richland | C | - | 0 |
| Lake Emily | 44 mi | Dodge | C | 10 ft | 4 |
| Lower Spring Lake | 44.2 mi | Jefferson | C | - | 0 |
| Lake Mendota | 2 mi | Dane | D | 83 ft | 8 |
| Lake Monona | 2.7 mi | Dane | D | - | 0 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes are near Madison?
There are 50 graded lakes within 50 miles of Madison, Wisconsin. 1 of these have an A water quality grade (excellent).
What are the best lakes near Madison for fishing?
42 lakes near Madison have documented fish species data. The best fishing lakes combine good water quality grades with diverse fish populations. 17 lakes within 50 miles have 5 or more documented fish species.
Where to stay near Madison
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Madison — book a place close to the best-rated lakes in the area.
Top-rated places to stay near Madison
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.