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

50 lakes within 50 miles of Moorhead have nutrient and algae readings on record. Barnesville Lake in Clay County leads the set on measured water quality. 39 of the 50 have a recorded public access point.

Moorhead sits in a lake-rich part of the upper Midwest: 50 measured lakes within reach. Barnesville 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
Barnesville Lake	22.4 mi	Clay	—	17 ft	4
Turtle Lake	28.8 mi	Becker	23 ft	73 ft	13
Middle Cormorant Lake	32.1 mi	Becker	15.1 ft	40 ft	13
Ida Lake	33.3 mi	Becker	12.1 ft	20 ft	14
Big Cormorant Lake	34.6 mi	Becker	24.8 ft	75 ft	16
Pelican Lake	37.2 mi	Otter Tail	16.4 ft	55 ft	20
Bass Lake	38.1 mi	Otter Tail	17.4 ft	-	0
Maud Lake	38.1 mi	Becker	17 ft	32 ft	15
Fish Lake	38.7 mi	Otter Tail	18 ft	69 ft	17
Lizzie Lake	38.9 mi	Otter Tail	16.4 ft	66 ft	21
Eunice Lake	39 mi	Becker	13.5 ft	30 ft	17
Pearl Lake	39.7 mi	Becker	10 ft	54 ft	11
Little Pelican Lake	40.2 mi	Otter Tail	11.5 ft	25 ft	2
Loon Lake	40.2 mi	Becker	7.4 ft	-	0
Franklin Lake	40.5 mi	Otter Tail	13.1 ft	48 ft	18
Fox Lake	41.1 mi	Becker	14 ft	24 ft	13
Long Lake	41.6 mi	Becker	19.5 ft	61 ft	16
Sallie Lake	42 mi	Becker	13 ft	50 ft	16
Mill Lake	42.1 mi	Becker	8.5 ft	10 ft	14
Melissa Lake	42.2 mi	Becker	13.1 ft	37 ft	16
Tamarac Lake	42.2 mi	Becker	6.9 ft	34 ft	16
Mud Lake	42.9 mi	Becker	12.5 ft	34 ft	16
Meadow Lake	43.2 mi	Becker	14 ft	72 ft	11
Cottage Lake	43.2 mi	Becker	12 ft	-	0
Lind Lake	43.4 mi	Becker	12.1 ft	-	0
Floyd Lake	43.5 mi	Becker	13.1 ft	34 ft	16
Sands Lake	43.5 mi	Becker	11.5 ft	-	0
Lida Lake	43.6 mi	Otter Tail	14 ft	58 ft	20
Curfman Lake	43.6 mi	Becker	12 ft	24 ft	0
Glawe Lake	43.8 mi	Becker	10.8 ft	24 ft	0
Detroit Lake	44.2 mi	Becker	14 ft	89 ft	19
Little Floyd Lake	44.2 mi	Becker	11 ft	34 ft	16
Johnson Lake	44.7 mi	Becker	9.3 ft	30 ft	0
Leek Lake	44.7 mi	Otter Tail	13.1 ft	-	0
Abbey Lake	45.2 mi	Becker	5.5 ft	-	0
Trowbridge Lake	45.3 mi	Otter Tail	13.5 ft	76 ft	13
Long Lake	45.7 mi	Otter Tail	11.6 ft	73 ft	17
Jewett Lake	46.7 mi	Otter Tail	17.7 ft	75 ft	13
Hospital Lake	46.8 mi	Becker	18 ft	-	0
West Silent Lake	47.5 mi	Otter Tail	18 ft	58 ft	9
East Loon Lake	47.7 mi	Otter Tail	13.5 ft	105 ft	17
Six Lake	48.1 mi	Otter Tail	21 ft	140 ft	11
Big Sugar Bush Lake	48.3 mi	Becker	16.5 ft	42 ft	13
Scalp Lake	48.5 mi	Otter Tail	20 ft	90 ft	13
Pickerel Lake	49.1 mi	Becker	18 ft	74 ft	14
East Silent Lake	49.1 mi	Otter Tail	19.2 ft	48 ft	13
Net Lake	49.4 mi	Becker	6.4 ft	47 ft	10
Fish Hook Lake	49.4 mi	Becker	9.5 ft	47 ft	10
Sybil Lake	49.8 mi	Otter Tail	20 ft	74 ft	16
Prairie Lake	37.9 mi	Otter Tail	8.9 ft	22 ft	15

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Cleanest Lakes Near Moorhead

Barnesville Lake

22.4 mi · Clay County

Turtle Lake

28.8 mi · Becker County · 23 ft clarity

Middle Cormorant Lake

32.1 mi · Becker County · 15.1 ft clarity

Ida Lake

33.3 mi · Becker County · 12.1 ft clarity

Big Cormorant Lake

34.6 mi · Becker County · 24.8 ft clarity

Pelican Lake

37.2 mi · Otter Tail County · 16.4 ft clarity

Plan a lake trip in Minnesota

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Minnesota Lake Trips

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many lakes are near Moorhead?

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

What are the best lakes near Moorhead for fishing?

39 lakes near Moorhead 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 Moorhead

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

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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.