Best Kayaking Lakes in Minnesota, Wisconsin & 4 More States

The best lakes for kayaking in Minnesota, Wisconsin & 4 More States. Grade A and B water quality, public access, and ideal paddling size (50-2,000 acres). Crystal clear water for paddling.

Recreation rankings need public-access, beach and launch, depth, and fish-survey data, which currently cover Minnesota, Wisconsin & 4 More States lakes. Water-quality grades themselves span all 49 states and 2 Canadian provinces LakeQuality covers.

Lakes

Minnesota

Wisconsin

Illinois

Michigan

Swimming Boating Boat Ramps Kayaking Ice Fishing Camping

Rank	Lake	County	State	Grade	Clarity	Area	Depth
1	Hunter Lake	Cass	MN	A	31 ft	182 acres	48 ft
2	Little Round Lake	Sawyer	WI	A	17.3 ft	179 acres	38 ft
3	Baumann Park Lake	Winnebago	IL	A	10.2 ft	-	-
4	Bear Lake Southeast Basin	Kalkaska	MI	A	36.5 ft	-	-
5	Nine Eagles Lake	Decatur	IA	A	11 ft	59 acres	-
6	Lost Creek Reservoir	Allen	OH	B	—	-	-

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a lake ideal for kayaking?

The best kayaking lakes have clean, clear water (Grade A or B), public access for launching, and are sized between 50 and 2,000 acres. Too small and there is not much to explore; too large and wind can create dangerous conditions for paddlers.

Can I kayak on any public lake?

Public lakes are generally open to non-motorized watercraft like kayaks and canoes, though individual waters can carry local restrictions. Many lakes on this list have designated paddle-in campsites and nature areas accessible only from the water.