Best Lakes Near Milwaukee, WI
50 lakes within 50 miles of Milwaukee ranked by water quality grade.
Within reasonable driving distance of Milwaukee 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 A.
The lakes below are sorted by composite LakeGrade rubric score. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeshore State Park-Milwaukee | 0.7 mi | Milwaukee | A | - | 0 |
| Lakeshore State Park Fish Shocking | 0.8 mi | Milwaukee | A | - | 0 |
| New Zoo Pond | 6.9 mi | Milwaukee | A | - | 0 |
| Mallard Lake | 10.1 mi | Milwaukee | A | 10 ft | 1 |
| Csmi 2015 Station Q Lake | 14.3 mi | Milwaukee | A | - | 0 |
| Little Muskego Lake | 14.8 mi | Waukesha | A | 65 ft | 4 |
| Amy Bell Lake | 18.8 mi | Washington | A | 37 ft | 3 |
| Pewaukee Lake | 19.5 mi | Waukesha | A | 45 ft | 5 |
| Waubeesee Lake | 20.2 mi | Racine | A | 73 ft | 4 |
| Pewaukee Lake | 21.1 mi | Waukesha | A | 45 ft | 5 |
| Moldenhauer Lake | 21.1 mi | Ozaukee | A | 32 ft | 3 |
| Lake Five | 21.4 mi | Washington | A | 23 ft | 3 |
| Lake Keesus | 22.7 mi | Waukesha | A | 42 ft | 4 |
| Nagawicka Lake | 24.4 mi | Waukesha | A | 90 ft | 5 |
| Pine Lake | 24.8 mi | Waukesha | A | 85 ft | 5 |
| Spring Lake | 24.9 mi | Waukesha | A | 22 ft | 4 |
| Lapham Peak Pond | 25 mi | Waukesha | A | - | 0 |
| North Lake | 25.3 mi | Waukesha | A | 78.4 ft | 5 |
| Lower Phantom Lake | 25.3 mi | Waukesha | A | 12 ft | 3 |
| North Lake West Basin | 25.5 mi | Waukesha | A | 78.4 ft | 5 |
| Moose Lake | 25.8 mi | Waukesha | A | - | 0 |
| Unnamed Lake | 26.3 mi | Ozaukee | A | - | 0 |
| Upper Nemahbin Lake | 26.6 mi | Waukesha | A | 60 ft | 5 |
| Okauchee Lake-Site No. 3-at Okauchee | 26.6 mi | Waukesha | A | 90 ft | 6 |
| Lower Nashotah Lake | 26.7 mi | Waukesha | A | 43 ft | 6 |
| Lower Nemahbin Lake | 26.7 mi | Waukesha | A | - | 0 |
| Oconomowoc Lake Site | 27.3 mi | Waukesha | A | 60 ft | 5 |
| Okauchee Lake-Site No. 4-at Okauchee | 27.6 mi | Waukesha | A | 90 ft | 6 |
| Okauchee Lake | 27.7 mi | Waukesha | A | 90 ft | 6 |
| Crooked Lake | 27.7 mi | Waukesha | A | 16 ft | 3 |
| Hunters Lake | 28 mi | Waukesha | A | 36 ft | 3 |
| Oconomowoc Lake | 28.2 mi | Waukesha | A | 60 ft | 5 |
| Upper Genesee Lake | 28.3 mi | Waukesha | A | - | 3 |
| Lake Beulah | 28.4 mi | Walworth | A | 58 ft | 3 |
| Little Cedar Lake | 28.5 mi | Washington | A | - | 0 |
| Pike Lake | 28.6 mi | Washington | A | 45 ft | 5 |
| Army Lake | 28.7 mi | Walworth | A | 17 ft | 3 |
| Silver Lake | 29.5 mi | Waukesha | A | 40 ft | 3 |
| Browns Lake | 29.5 mi | Racine | A | 44 ft | 4 |
| Ashippun Lake | 29.6 mi | Waukesha | A | 35 ft | 4 |
| Ottawa Lake | 29.9 mi | Waukesha | A | - | 4 |
| Fowler Lake | 30.1 mi | Waukesha | A | 50 ft | 4 |
| Pretty Lake | 30.4 mi | Waukesha | A | 31 ft | 3 |
| Vern Wolf Lake | 30.5 mi | Kenosha | A | 12 ft | 4 |
| Swan Lake | 30.6 mi | Walworth | A | - | 2 |
| Green Lake | 30.7 mi | Washington | A | 37 ft | 4 |
| Big Cedar Lake | 30.8 mi | Washington | A | 105 ft | 4 |
| Booth Lake | 31.2 mi | Walworth | A | 24 ft | 2 |
| Pickerel Lake | 31.2 mi | Walworth | A | 31 ft | 3 |
| Lac la Belle Lake | 31.4 mi | Waukesha | A | 45 ft | 5 |
Lakes Near Other Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes are near Milwaukee?
There are 50 graded lakes within 50 miles of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 50 of these have an A water quality grade (excellent).
What are the best lakes near Milwaukee for fishing?
41 lakes near Milwaukee have documented fish species data. The best fishing lakes combine good water quality grades with diverse fish populations. 15 lakes within 50 miles have 5 or more documented fish species.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.