Best Lakes Near Rochester, MN
25 lakes within 50 miles of Rochester, ranked on agency water-quality readings.
25 lakes within 50 miles of Rochester have nutrient and algae readings on record. Bamber Lake in Olmsted County leads the set on measured water quality, with about 14.1 ft of clarity. 19 of the 25 have a recorded public access point.
Within reasonable driving distance of Rochester sit 25 measured lakes, a lake-dense area that gives residents real choice on any given weekend.
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.
| Lake | Distance | County | Clarity | Depth | Fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bamber Lake | 1.5 mi | Olmsted | 14.1 ft | - | 0 |
| Beaver Lake | 44 mi | Steele | 9.5 ft | 27 ft | 13 |
| Nugget Lake | 46.7 mi | Pierce | 7.5 ft | - | 0 |
| Kelly Lake | 50 mi | Rice | 8.2 ft | - | 0 |
| Zumbro Lake | 12.4 mi | Olmsted | 4 ft | 43 ft | 24 |
| Dudley Lake | 49.7 mi | Rice | 9 ft | 60 ft | 11 |
| Winona Lake | 41.5 mi | Winona | 2.6 ft | 38 ft | 24 |
| Goose Lake | 42.5 mi | Goodhue | 0.4 ft | 5.7 ft | 0 |
| Byllesby Lake | 42.6 mi | Dakota | 3 ft | 50 ft | 19 |
| Lake Hendricks | 44.4 mi | Howard | 1.5 ft | - | 0 |
| Wells Lake | 46.6 mi | Rice | 2 ft | 4 ft | 15 |
| Cannon Lake | 46.6 mi | Rice | 4.1 ft | 15 ft | 17 |
| Roberds Lake | 48.1 mi | Rice | 2.5 ft | 43 ft | 18 |
| Fox Lake | 49.4 mi | Rice | 3 ft | 47 ft | 17 |
| Silver Lake | 1.7 mi | Olmsted | 2 ft | 11 ft | 13 |
| Manor Woods Pond | 1.8 mi | Olmsted | 2.5 ft | - | 0 |
| Shady Lake | 11 mi | Olmsted | 3.6 ft | 13 ft | 0 |
| Halfmoon Lake | 32 mi | Wabasha | 5.1 ft | - | 0 |
| Pepin Lake | 33.9 mi | Pepin | 3 ft | 60 ft | 47 |
| Pepin Lake | 34.2 mi | Pepin | 1.5 ft | 60 ft | 3 |
| Robinson Lake | 34.5 mi | Wabasha | 5.9 ft | - | 0 |
| Crystal Lake | 42.6 mi | Rice | — | - | 0 |
| Nelson Lake | 44 mi | Goodhue | 3.3 ft | - | 0 |
| St Olaf Lake | 47 mi | Waseca | 5 ft | 33 ft | 11 |
| Watkins Lake | 48.5 mi | Waseca | 3.2 ft | - | 0 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes are near Rochester?
There are 25 lakes with water-quality readings on record within 50 miles of Rochester, Minnesota. 19 of them have a recorded public access point and 24 have a clarity reading.
What are the best lakes near Rochester for fishing?
13 lakes near Rochester have documented fish species data. The best fishing lakes combine favourable water-quality readings with diverse fish populations. 12 lakes within 50 miles have 5 or more documented fish species.
Where to stay near Rochester
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Rochester — book a place close to the cleanest lakes in the area.
Top-rated places to stay near Rochester
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.