Best Lakes for Swimming Near Oshkosh
Wisconsin
10 swimming lakes within driving distance of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, ranked by water quality and swimming-specific filters. Filtered for grade A or B water quality, low algae (chlorophyll-a under 15 µg/L), and public access. Always check local advisories on the day you swim.
A moderate cluster of 10 graded lakes lies within reach of Oshkosh, averaging a grade of B. Pearl Lake (A) is the cleanest of the set.
The swimming-specific ranking layered on top of the LakeGrade rubric is what produces the list below: a grade-good lake that does not also support the swimming use case is less useful than a grade-decent lake that does.
| # | Lake | County | Grade | Distance | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pearl Lake | Waushara | A | 28.9 mi | 19 ft | - |
| 2 | De Neveu Lake | Fond du Lac | A | 21.6 mi | 11 ft | - |
| 3 | Elkhart Lake | Sheboygan | A | 29.2 mi | 10.5 ft | - |
| 4 | Green Lake | Green Lake | B | 24.4 mi | - | - |
| 5 | Green Lake | Green Lake | B | 24.5 mi | 13.1 ft | - |
| 6 | Green Lake | Green Lake | B | 27.1 mi | 13 ft | - |
| 7 | Wilke Lake | Manitowoc | B | 29.2 mi | 7 ft | - |
| 8 | Green Lake East Basin | Green Lake | B | 24.5 mi | 11.8 ft | - |
| 9 | Shoe Lake | Manitowoc | B | 28.1 mi | 7 ft | - |
| 10 | Green Lake | Green Lake | B | 29 mi | 14.1 ft | - |
Other activities near Oshkosh
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.