Best Lakes Near Mankato, MN, 50 Lakes Within 50 Miles

50 lakes within 50 miles of Mankato have nutrient and algae readings on record. Unnamed Lake in Nicollet County leads the set on measured water quality, with about 5.6 ft of clarity. 39 of the 50 have a recorded public access point.

Mankato sits in a lake-rich part of the upper Midwest: 50 measured lakes within reach. Unnamed 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
Unnamed Lake	12.2 mi	Nicollet	5.6 ft	35 ft	6
Fireman'S Lake	47.5 mi	Carver	10.7 ft	23 ft	8
Courthouse Lake	47.7 mi	Carver	18.9 ft	57 ft	10
Brickyard Lake	47.8 mi	Carver	15 ft	43 ft	0
Piersons Lake	48.7 mi	Carver	9.9 ft	40 ft	14
Cate'S Lake	49.2 mi	Scott	5.6 ft	-	0
Marion Lake	49.5 mi	Dakota	7 ft	21 ft	14
Beaver Lake	37.4 mi	Steele	9.5 ft	27 ft	13
Oak Leaf Lake	10 mi	Nicollet	3.9 ft	-	0
Roemhildts Lake	15.2 mi	Le Sueur	10.2 ft	60 ft	13
Fish Lake	17.1 mi	Le Sueur	11.8 ft	55 ft	14
Fedji Lake	20.1 mi	Watonwan	3.3 ft	6 ft	0
Loon Lake	24.6 mi	Waseca	2.5 ft	9 ft	7
Kelly Lake	33.8 mi	Rice	8.2 ft	-	0
St James Lake	34.4 mi	Watonwan	3 ft	15.4 ft	12
Sleepy Eye Lake	37.5 mi	Brown	3.3 ft	21 ft	10
Round Grove Lake	44.8 mi	McLeod	2.3 ft	7 ft	7
Upper Prior Lake	46.7 mi	Scott	5 ft	50 ft	16
O'Dowd Lake	46.7 mi	Scott	5.5 ft	22 ft	10
Central Mystic Lake	47.6 mi	Scott	—	-	0
Lower Prior Lake	48.7 mi	Scott	10 ft	60 ft	15
Waconia Lake	50 mi	Carver	7.3 ft	37 ft	16
Ballantyne Lake	8.8 mi	Blue Earth	2.5 ft	58 ft	16
Madison Lake	9.5 mi	Blue Earth	4 ft	59 ft	20
Scotch Lake	14.6 mi	Le Sueur	2.6 ft	11 ft	5
Frances Lake	15.3 mi	Le Sueur	6 ft	60 ft	16
Volney Lake	22.7 mi	Le Sueur	5.5 ft	67 ft	12
Dudley Lake	34.3 mi	Rice	9 ft	60 ft	11
High Island Lake	36 mi	Sibley	2.1 ft	6.5 ft	11
Long Lake	37.3 mi	Watonwan	2.5 ft	13 ft	13
Kansas Lake	38.9 mi	Watonwan	1.5 ft	7 ft	14
Union Lake	40 mi	Rice	3 ft	10 ft	0
Myers Lake	42.6 mi	Carver	3 ft	-	0
Fish Lake	43 mi	Scott	3.9 ft	28 ft	14
Muewissen Lake	43.2 mi	Carver	1.8 ft	-	0
Buck Lake	44.8 mi	Scott	2.6 ft	-	0
Spring Lake	45.4 mi	Scott	6.2 ft	37 ft	15
Crystal Lake	46.2 mi	Scott	6.8 ft	26 ft	7
Unnamed Lake	48.2 mi	Scott	2.9 ft	-	0
Pike Lake	49.4 mi	Scott	2.3 ft	9 ft	0
Bavaria Lake	49.9 mi	Carver	5.1 ft	66 ft	13
George Lake	8.1 mi	Blue Earth	2.2 ft	28 ft	9
Washington Lake	8.9 mi	Le Sueur	4.5 ft	51 ft	18
Duck Lake	9.9 mi	Blue Earth	2.8 ft	25 ft	17
Crystal Lake	10.8 mi	Blue Earth	1.5 ft	8 ft	12
Emily Lake	10.9 mi	Le Sueur	2 ft	37 ft	14
Jefferson Lake	12.5 mi	Le Sueur	2 ft	-	0
German Lake	15.5 mi	Le Sueur	3.5 ft	51 ft	19
Tetonka Lake	19.4 mi	Le Sueur	3 ft	35 ft	19
Gorman Lake	20.6 mi	Le Sueur	3.7 ft	14 ft	16

Get updates on lakes near Mankato

New clarity and algae readings for lakes within driving distance. Unsubscribe anytime.

Cleanest Lakes Near Mankato

Unnamed Lake

12.2 mi · Nicollet County · 5.6 ft clarity

Fireman'S Lake

47.5 mi · Carver County · 10.7 ft clarity

Courthouse Lake

47.7 mi · Carver County · 18.9 ft clarity

Brickyard Lake

47.8 mi · Carver County · 15 ft clarity

Piersons Lake

48.7 mi · Carver County · 9.9 ft clarity

Cate'S Lake

49.2 mi · Scott County · 5.6 ft clarity

Plan a lake trip in Minnesota

The State of Minnesota's Lakes

Minnesota's cleanest lakes, ranked on agency measurements

Minnesota Fishing Guide

Fish species and the cleanest lakes across Minnesota

Lake Fishing Forecast

Species activity outlook by water temperature and season

Minnesota Lake Trips

Where to stay at Minnesota's top lakes, each with its readings

Frequently Asked Questions

How many lakes are near Mankato?

There are 50 lakes with water-quality readings on record within 50 miles of Mankato, Minnesota. 39 of them have a recorded public access point and 49 have a clarity reading.

What are the best lakes near Mankato for fishing?

37 lakes near Mankato have documented fish species data. The best fishing lakes combine favourable water-quality readings with diverse fish populations. 37 lakes within 50 miles have 5 or more documented fish species.

Where to stay near Mankato

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

Top-rated places to stay near Mankato

Prices for Oct 9–11, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.

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 Mankato?

Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Mankato — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.