Best Lakes Near St. Cloud, MN
50 lakes within 50 miles of St. Cloud ranked by water quality grade.
Within reasonable driving distance of St. Cloud 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 A.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed Lake | 7.6 mi | Sherburne | A | 43 ft | 7 |
| Pickerel Lake | 8 mi | Sherburne | A | 21 ft | 9 |
| Long Lake | 9.7 mi | Stearns | A | 28 ft | 5 |
| Crooked Lake | 12.1 mi | Stearns | A | 35 ft | 10 |
| Nixon Lake | 14.9 mi | Wright | A | 67 ft | 9 |
| Big Spunk Lake | 15 mi | Stearns | A | 38 ft | 19 |
| Big Fish Lake | 15 mi | Stearns | A | 70 ft | 15 |
| Bass Lake | 16.8 mi | Wright | A | 34 ft | 14 |
| School Section Lake | 16.9 mi | Stearns | A | 14 ft | 8 |
| Ember Lake | 17.7 mi | Wright | A | 45 ft | 9 |
| Clearwater Lake | 17.9 mi | Wright | A | 73 ft | 17 |
| Sugar Lake | 17.9 mi | Wright | A | 69 ft | 16 |
| Pleasant Lake | 19.8 mi | Wright | A | 74 ft | 15 |
| Cedar Lake | 20.5 mi | Wright | A | 108 ft | 16 |
| East Sylvia Lake | 21.6 mi | Wright | A | 78 ft | 14 |
| Ida Lake | 21.9 mi | Wright | A | 60 ft | 10 |
| West Sylvia Lake | 22 mi | Wright | A | 97 ft | 15 |
| Birch Lake | 22.9 mi | Wright | A | 52 ft | 9 |
| Moose Lake | 23.7 mi | Wright | A | 43 ft | 11 |
| Upper Maple Lake | 24.7 mi | Wright | A | 76 ft | 15 |
| Mitchell Lake | 24.7 mi | Sherburne | A | 33 ft | 13 |
| Ann Lake | 24.9 mi | Sherburne | A | 26 ft | 10 |
| Big Lake | 25 mi | Sherburne | A | 48 ft | 14 |
| Pierz Lake | 27.8 mi | Morrison | A | 34 ft | 16 |
| Cedar Lake | 28.6 mi | Morrison | A | 88 ft | 14 |
| Pine Lake | 29.2 mi | Morrison | A | 59 ft | 12 |
| Pulaski Lake | 29.3 mi | Wright | A | - | 0 |
| Sandy Lake | 31.6 mi | Sherburne | A | 41 ft | 7 |
| West Hunter Lake | 32.4 mi | Sherburne | A | 6 ft | 1 |
| East Hunter Lake | 32.6 mi | Sherburne | A | 7 ft | 2 |
| Little Birch Lake | 34.1 mi | Todd | A | 89 ft | 20 |
| Charlotte Lake | 34.9 mi | Wright | A | 46 ft | 10 |
| East Twin Lake | 35.7 mi | Anoka | A | 68 ft | 12 |
| Spectacle Lake | 36.7 mi | Isanti | A | 51.5 ft | 12 |
| Long Lake | 37.7 mi | Kandiyohi | A | 46 ft | 15 |
| Minnie-Belle Lake | 40.2 mi | Meeker | A | 49 ft | 14 |
| Sullivan Lake | 40.8 mi | Morrison | A | 57 ft | 18 |
| Crow R Mill Pond | 41.6 mi | Kandiyohi | A | 14 ft | 13 |
| Green Lake | 41.7 mi | Kandiyohi | A | 110 ft | 22 |
| Outlet of Onamia Lake on the Rum River | 42.1 mi | Mille Lacs | A | 10 ft | 0 |
| Grass Lake | 42.2 mi | Anoka | A | - | 0 |
| Elkhorn Lake | 45 mi | Kandiyohi | A | 41 ft | 15 |
| Round Lake | 45.1 mi | Anoka | A | - | 0 |
| George Lake | 45.5 mi | Kandiyohi | A | 34 ft | 15 |
| Ml-Vineland Lake | 46 mi | Mille Lacs | A | 42 ft | 21 |
| Henderson Lake | 46.3 mi | Kandiyohi | A | 57 ft | 10 |
| Eagle Lake | 48.1 mi | Kandiyohi | A | 67 ft | 17 |
| Florida Lake | 48.2 mi | Kandiyohi | A | 40 ft | 18 |
| Alexander Lake | 48.4 mi | Morrison | A | 64 ft | 19 |
| Pomerleau Lake | 48.8 mi | Hennepin | A | 26 ft | 5 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes are near St. Cloud?
There are 50 graded lakes within 50 miles of St. Cloud, Minnesota. 50 of these have an A water quality grade (excellent).
What are the best lakes near St. Cloud for fishing?
46 lakes near St. Cloud have documented fish species data. The best fishing lakes combine good water quality grades with diverse fish populations. 44 lakes within 50 miles have 5 or more documented fish species.
Where to stay near St. Cloud
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near St. Cloud — book a place close to the best-rated lakes in the area.
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.