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 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 | 27.1 mi | Waukesha | A | 90 ft | 6 |
| Lake Beulah | 28.6 mi | Walworth | A | 58 ft | 3 |
| Big Cedar Lake-South Site-Near West Bend | 29.3 mi | Washington | A | 105 ft | 4 |
| Big Cedar Lake-North Site-Near West Bend | 30.6 mi | Washington | A | 105 ft | 4 |
| Powers Lake | 39.4 mi | Kenosha | A | 33 ft | 5 |
| Catherine Lake | 39.7 mi | Lake | A | - | 0 |
| Deep Lake | 43 mi | Lake | A | - | 0 |
| Cedar Lake | 43.7 mi | Lake | A | - | 0 |
| Geneva Lake | 45 mi | Walworth | A | 135 ft | 6 |
| Grays Lake | 48.7 mi | Lake | A | - | 0 |
| Denoon Lake | 18.9 mi | Waukesha | B | 55 ft | 4 |
| Pewaukee Lake | 19.5 mi | Waukesha | B | 45 ft | 5 |
| Bark Lake | 19.7 mi | Washington | B | 34 ft | 4 |
| Lake Five | 21.4 mi | Washington | B | 23 ft | 3 |
| Tichigan Lake | 21.8 mi | Racine | B | 63 ft | 7 |
| Lake Keesus | 22.7 mi | Waukesha | B | 42 ft | 4 |
| Little Friess Lake | 23.4 mi | Washington | B | 34 ft | 4 |
| Friess Lake | 23.5 mi | Washington | B | 48 ft | 4 |
| Nagawicka Lake | 24.4 mi | Waukesha | B | 90 ft | 5 |
| Pine Lake | 24.8 mi | Waukesha | B | 85 ft | 5 |
| Spring Lake | 24.9 mi | Waukesha | B | 22 ft | 4 |
| North Lake | 25.3 mi | Waukesha | B | 78.4 ft | 5 |
| Lower Phantom Lake | 25.3 mi | Waukesha | B | 12 ft | 3 |
| Lower Nemahbin Lake | 26.6 mi | Waukesha | B | 36 ft | 5 |
| Upper Nemahbin Lake | 26.6 mi | Waukesha | B | 60 ft | 5 |
| Ocauchee Lake | 26.6 mi | Waukesha | B | 90 ft | 6 |
| Lower Nashotah Lake | 26.7 mi | Waukesha | B | 43 ft | 6 |
| Okauchee Lake Deep Hole Usgs | 26.7 mi | Waukesha | B | 90 ft | 6 |
| Potter Lake | 27 mi | Walworth | B | 26 ft | 3 |
| Okauchee Lake Site | 27.1 mi | Waukesha | B | 90 ft | 6 |
| Oconomowoc Lake Site | 27.3 mi | Waukesha | B | 60 ft | 5 |
| Crooked Lake | 27.7 mi | Waukesha | B | 16 ft | 3 |
| Hunters Lake | 28 mi | Waukesha | B | 36 ft | 3 |
| Oconomowoc Lake | 28.2 mi | Waukesha | B | 60 ft | 5 |
| Sandhill Lake | 28.2 mi | Ozaukee | B | 9 ft | 0 |
| Little Cedar Lake | 28.5 mi | Washington | B | - | 0 |
| Pike Lake | 28.6 mi | Washington | B | 45 ft | 5 |
| Army Lake | 28.7 mi | Walworth | B | 17 ft | 3 |
| Big Cedar Lake | 29.3 mi | Washington | B | 105 ft | 4 |
| Silver Lake | 29.5 mi | Waukesha | B | 40 ft | 3 |
| Browns Lake | 29.5 mi | Racine | B | 44 ft | 4 |
| Ashippun Lake | 29.6 mi | Waukesha | B | 35 ft | 4 |
| Eagle Spring Lake | 29.8 mi | Waukesha | B | 8 ft | 3 |
| Ottawa Lake | 29.9 mi | Waukesha | B | 16 ft | 4 |
| Fowler Lake | 30.1 mi | Waukesha | B | 50 ft | 4 |
| Druid Lake | 30.2 mi | Washington | B | 53 ft | 4 |
| Pretty Lake | 30.4 mi | Waukesha | B | 31 ft | 3 |
| School Section Lake | 30.4 mi | Waukesha | B | 8 ft | 3 |
| Big Cedar Lake Northern Basin Deep Site | 30.6 mi | Washington | B | 105 ft | 4 |
| Green Lake | 30.7 mi | Washington | B | 37 ft | 4 |
Top-Rated Lakes Near Milwaukee
27.1 mi · Waukesha County · Grade A
28.6 mi · Walworth County · Grade A
29.3 mi · Washington County · Grade A
30.6 mi · Washington County · Grade A
39.4 mi · Kenosha County · Grade A
39.7 mi · Lake County · Grade A
Lakes Near Other Cities
Plan a lake trip in Wisconsin
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Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Wisconsin's top lakes, each with its grade
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes are near Milwaukee?
There are 50 graded lakes within 50 miles of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 10 of these have an A water quality grade (excellent).
What are the best lakes near Milwaukee for fishing?
44 lakes near Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Milwaukee — book a place close to the best-rated lakes in the area.
Top-rated places to stay near Milwaukee
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.