Iowa Great Lakes
A cluster of natural lakes in Dickinson County left by the Wisconsinan glaciation, including Spirit Lake — Iowa's largest natural lake — and deep, spring-fed West Lake Okoboji. The chain is Iowa's premier lake resort area, anchored by the town of Okoboji and the historic Arnolds Park amusement park on West Okoboji's shore.
| Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth | Fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Okoboji Lake | Dickinson | A | 15.7 ft | - | 0 |
| Lake Minnewashta | Dickinson | C | 2.8 ft | - | 0 |
| Upper Gar Lake | Dickinson | C | 3.9 ft | - | 0 |
| Big Spirit Lake | Dickinson | C | 5.5 ft | - | 0 |
| Lower Gar Lake | Dickinson | D | 2.6 ft | - | 0 |
| East Okoboji Lake | Dickinson | D | 3.9 ft | - | 0 |
| Silver Lake Max Depth | Dickinson | F | 2.7 ft | - | 0 |
| Center Lake | Dickinson | F | 2.3 ft | - | 0 |
| Triboji Beach Lake | Dickinson | NR | - | - | 0 |
| Orleans City Beach Lake | Dickinson | NR | - | - | 0 |
| Crandalls Beach Lake | Dickinson | NR | - | - | 0 |
| Pikes Point Beach Lake | Dickinson | NR | - | - | 0 |
| Marble Beach Lake | Dickinson | NR | - | - | 0 |
| Gull Point Beach Lake | Dickinson | NR | - | - | 0 |
| Emerson Bay Beach Lake | Dickinson | NR | - | - | 0 |
Top-Rated Lakes in Iowa Great Lakes
Dickinson County · Grade A · 15.7 ft clarity
Dickinson County · Grade C · 2.8 ft clarity
Dickinson County · Grade C · 3.9 ft clarity
Dickinson County · Grade C · 5.5 ft clarity
Dickinson County · Grade D · 2.6 ft clarity
Dickinson County · Grade D · 3.9 ft clarity
Other Lake Regions
Plan a trip in Iowa
Iowa's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked A–F
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Iowa's top lakes, each with its grade
Best-graded lakes within 50 miles of Des Moines
Best-graded lakes within 50 miles of Cedar Rapids
Where to stay near Iowa Great Lakes
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.