Best Lakes Near Mankato, MN
50 lakes within 50 miles of Mankato ranked by water quality grade.
Mankato sits in a lake-rich part of the upper Midwest: 50 graded lakes within reach, average grade C. Unnamed 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed Lake | 12.2 mi | Nicollet | A | 35 ft | 6 |
| Fireman'S Lake | 47.5 mi | Carver | A | 23 ft | 8 |
| Courthouse Lake | 47.7 mi | Carver | A | 57 ft | 10 |
| Brickyard Lake | 47.8 mi | Carver | A | 43 ft | 0 |
| Piersons Lake | 48.7 mi | Carver | A | 40 ft | 14 |
| Cate'S Lake | 49.2 mi | Scott | A | - | 0 |
| Marion Lake | 49.5 mi | Dakota | A | 21 ft | 14 |
| Beaver Lake | 37.4 mi | Steele | B | 27 ft | 13 |
| Oak Leaf Lake | 10 mi | Nicollet | C | - | 0 |
| Roemhildts Lake | 15.2 mi | Le Sueur | C | 60 ft | 13 |
| Fish Lake | 17.1 mi | Le Sueur | C | 55 ft | 14 |
| Fedji Lake | 20.1 mi | Watonwan | C | 6 ft | 0 |
| Loon Lake | 24.6 mi | Waseca | C | 9 ft | 7 |
| Kelly Lake | 33.8 mi | Rice | C | - | 0 |
| St James Lake | 34.4 mi | Watonwan | C | 15.4 ft | 12 |
| Sleepy Eye Lake | 37.5 mi | Brown | C | 21 ft | 10 |
| Round Grove Lake | 44.8 mi | McLeod | C | 7 ft | 7 |
| Upper Prior Lake | 46.7 mi | Scott | C | 50 ft | 16 |
| O'Dowd Lake | 46.7 mi | Scott | C | 22 ft | 10 |
| Central Mystic Lake | 47.6 mi | Scott | C | - | 0 |
| Lower Prior Lake | 48.7 mi | Scott | C | 60 ft | 15 |
| Waconia Lake | 50 mi | Carver | C | 37 ft | 16 |
| Ballantyne Lake | 8.8 mi | Blue Earth | D | 58 ft | 16 |
| Madison Lake | 9.5 mi | Blue Earth | D | 59 ft | 20 |
| Scotch Lake | 14.6 mi | Le Sueur | D | 11 ft | 5 |
| Frances Lake | 15.3 mi | Le Sueur | D | 60 ft | 16 |
| Volney Lake | 22.7 mi | Le Sueur | D | 67 ft | 12 |
| Dudley Lake | 34.3 mi | Rice | D | 60 ft | 11 |
| High Island Lake | 36 mi | Sibley | D | 6.5 ft | 11 |
| Long Lake | 37.3 mi | Watonwan | D | 13 ft | 13 |
| Kansas Lake | 38.9 mi | Watonwan | D | 7 ft | 14 |
| Union Lake | 40 mi | Rice | D | 10 ft | 0 |
| Myers Lake | 42.6 mi | Carver | D | - | 0 |
| Fish Lake | 43 mi | Scott | D | 28 ft | 14 |
| Muewissen Lake | 43.2 mi | Carver | D | - | 0 |
| Buck Lake | 44.8 mi | Scott | D | - | 0 |
| Spring Lake | 45.4 mi | Scott | D | 37 ft | 15 |
| Crystal Lake | 46.2 mi | Scott | D | 26 ft | 7 |
| Unnamed Lake | 48.2 mi | Scott | D | - | 0 |
| Wassermann West Lake | 49.3 mi | Carver | D | - | 0 |
| Pike Lake | 49.4 mi | Scott | D | 9 ft | 0 |
| Bavaria Lake | 49.9 mi | Carver | D | 66 ft | 13 |
| George Lake | 8.1 mi | Blue Earth | F | 28 ft | 9 |
| Washington Lake | 8.9 mi | Le Sueur | F | 51 ft | 18 |
| Duck Lake | 9.9 mi | Blue Earth | F | 25 ft | 17 |
| Crystal Lake | 10.8 mi | Blue Earth | F | 8 ft | 12 |
| Emily Lake | 10.9 mi | Le Sueur | F | 37 ft | 14 |
| Jefferson Lake | 12.5 mi | Le Sueur | F | - | 0 |
| German Lake | 15.5 mi | Le Sueur | F | 51 ft | 19 |
| Tetonka Lake | 19.4 mi | Le Sueur | F | 35 ft | 19 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes are near Mankato?
There are 50 graded lakes within 50 miles of Mankato, Minnesota. 7 of these have an A water quality grade (excellent).
What are the best lakes near Mankato for fishing?
36 lakes near Mankato have documented fish species data. The best fishing lakes combine good water quality grades with diverse fish populations. 36 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 best-rated lakes in the area.
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.