Best Lakes Near Wausau, WI
50 lakes within 50 miles of Wausau ranked by water quality grade.
Within reasonable driving distance of Wausau 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 B.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sams Lake | 41.9 mi | Shawano | A | 13 ft | 2 |
| Big Lake | 42.3 mi | Shawano | A | - | 0 |
| Mission Lake | 42.7 mi | Shawano | A | 44 ft | 2 |
| Bealeau Lake | 42.7 mi | Shawano | A | 24 ft | 4 |
| Koonz Lake | 42.9 mi | Shawano | A | 40 ft | 4 |
| Malone Lake | 43.9 mi | Shawano | A | 31 ft | 3 |
| Mole Lake | 48 mi | Forest | A | 17 ft | 4 |
| Lake Pesobic | 17.6 mi | Lincoln | B | 11 ft | 4 |
| Big Bass Lake | 19 mi | Marathon | B | 13 ft | 3 |
| Glisezinski Lake | 22.2 mi | Portage | B | 11 ft | 3 |
| Tree Lake | 26.4 mi | Portage | B | 33 ft | 3 |
| Collins Lake | 28.6 mi | Portage | B | 56 ft | 4 |
| Unknown Lake | 29 mi | Shawano | B | - | 0 |
| Moose Lake | 29.5 mi | Langlade | B | 20 ft | 4 |
| Lake Helen | 30.4 mi | Portage | B | 20 ft | 3 |
| Horseshoe Lake | 31.9 mi | Langlade | B | 29 ft | 2 |
| Bass Lake | 33.2 mi | Lincoln | B | 40 ft | 4 |
| Long Lake | 33.3 mi | Lincoln | B | 64 ft | 4 |
| Seven Island Lake | 33.3 mi | Lincoln | B | 31 ft | 5 |
| Pickerel Lake | 33.5 mi | Lincoln | B | 14 ft | 3 |
| Sunset Lake | 33.5 mi | Portage | B | 55 ft | 3 |
| Springville Pond | 33.9 mi | Portage | B | 10 ft | 3 |
| Lake Buteau | 34.1 mi | Lincoln | B | 50 ft | 3 |
| Onland Lake | 34.9 mi | Portage | B | 28 ft | 3 |
| Rinehart Lake | 35.2 mi | Portage | B | 27 ft | 3 |
| Nutrient Sampling Point Lake | 36.1 mi | Waupaca | B | 33 ft | 4 |
| North Lake | 36.3 mi | Waupaca | B | 33 ft | 4 |
| Lake Emily | 36.7 mi | Portage | B | 35 ft | 5 |
| Hatch Lake | 38.9 mi | Waupaca | B | 12 ft | 3 |
| Halfmoon Lake | 39.1 mi | Lincoln | B | 14 ft | 3 |
| Iola Lake | 39.3 mi | Waupaca | B | 9 ft | 3 |
| Clear Lake | 40 mi | Lincoln | B | 45 ft | 4 |
| Perch Lake | 40.5 mi | Langlade | B | 21 ft | 3 |
| Manson Lake | 41.6 mi | Oneida | B | 54 ft | 6 |
| Silver Lake | 41.8 mi | Waupaca | B | 17 ft | 4 |
| Lake Esadore | 42.9 mi | Taylor | B | 36 ft | 4 |
| Nepco Lake | 43.9 mi | Wood | B | 29 ft | 6 |
| Squash Lake | 44.2 mi | Oneida | B | 74 ft | 6 |
| Big Twin Lake | 44.3 mi | Langlade | B | 25 ft | 4 |
| Nose Lake | 44.4 mi | Oneida | B | 16 ft | 2 |
| School Section Lake | 44.5 mi | Waupaca | B | 38 ft | 3 |
| Crescent Lake | 44.9 mi | Oneida | B | - | 0 |
| Washburn Lake | 45.3 mi | Oneida | B | 27 ft | 2 |
| Oscar Jenny Lake | 45.9 mi | Oneida | B | 24 ft | 3 |
| Pickerel Lake | 46.1 mi | Forest | B | 19 ft | 4 |
| Lake Julia | 46.2 mi | Oneida | B | 19 ft | 6 |
| Oneida Lake | 46.4 mi | Oneida | B | 34 ft | 6 |
| Sawyer Lake | 47.1 mi | Langlade | B | 31 ft | 5 |
| George Lake | 47.2 mi | Oneida | B | 26 ft | 6 |
| Crane Lake | 47.7 mi | Forest | B | 25 ft | 4 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes are near Wausau?
There are 50 graded lakes within 50 miles of Wausau, Wisconsin. 7 of these have an A water quality grade (excellent).
What are the best lakes near Wausau for fishing?
47 lakes near Wausau have documented fish species data. The best fishing lakes combine good water quality grades with diverse fish populations. 9 lakes within 50 miles have 5 or more documented fish species.
Where to stay near Wausau
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Wausau — book a place close to the best-rated lakes in the area.
Top-rated places to stay near Wausau
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.