Best Lakes Near Rochester, MN
25 lakes within 50 miles of Rochester ranked by water quality grade.
Within reasonable driving distance of Rochester sit 25 graded lakes — a lake-dense area that gives residents real choice on any given weekend. The average grade across the nearby set is D.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bamber Lake | 1.5 mi | Olmsted | A | - | 0 |
| Beaver Lake | 44 mi | Steele | B | 27 ft | 13 |
| Nugget Lake | 46.7 mi | Pierce | C | - | 0 |
| Kelly Lake | 50 mi | Rice | C | - | 0 |
| Zumbro Lake | 12.4 mi | Olmsted | D | 43 ft | 24 |
| Dudley Lake | 49.7 mi | Rice | D | 60 ft | 11 |
| Silver Lake | 1.7 mi | Olmsted | NR | 11 ft | 13 |
| Manor Woods Pond | 1.8 mi | Olmsted | NR | - | 0 |
| Shady Lake | 11 mi | Olmsted | NR | 13 ft | 0 |
| Halfmoon Lake | 32 mi | Wabasha | NR | - | 0 |
| Pepin Lake | 33.9 mi | Pepin | NR | 60 ft | 47 |
| Pepin Lake | 34.2 mi | Pepin | NR | 60 ft | 3 |
| Robinson Lake | 34.5 mi | Wabasha | NR | - | 0 |
| Winona Lake | 41.5 mi | Winona | F | 38 ft | 24 |
| Goose Lake | 42.5 mi | Goodhue | F | 5.7 ft | 0 |
| Crystal Lake | 42.6 mi | Rice | NR | - | 0 |
| Byllesby Lake | 42.6 mi | Dakota | F | 50 ft | 19 |
| Nelson Lake | 44 mi | Goodhue | NR | - | 0 |
| Lake Hendricks | 44.4 mi | Howard | F | - | 0 |
| Wells Lake | 46.6 mi | Rice | F | 4 ft | 15 |
| Cannon Lake | 46.6 mi | Rice | F | 15 ft | 17 |
| St Olaf Lake | 47 mi | Waseca | NR | 33 ft | 11 |
| Roberds Lake | 48.1 mi | Rice | F | 43 ft | 18 |
| Watkins Lake | 48.5 mi | Waseca | NR | - | 0 |
| Fox Lake | 49.4 mi | Rice | F | 47 ft | 17 |
Top-Rated Lakes Near Rochester
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes are near Rochester?
There are 25 graded lakes within 50 miles of Rochester, Minnesota. 1 of these have an A water quality grade (excellent).
What are the best lakes near Rochester for fishing?
13 lakes near Rochester have documented fish species data. The best fishing lakes combine good water quality grades 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 best-rated lakes in the area.
Top-rated places to stay near Rochester
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.