Northern Indiana Lake Country
Kettle-lake country left by the Saginaw lobe of the Wisconsin glaciation across Indiana's northeastern corner. Kosciusko County's Lake Wawasee is the largest natural lake wholly within Indiana and nearby Lake Tippecanoe its deepest, while Steuben County — home to Pokagon State Park on Lake James — bills itself as the land of 101 lakes. Boating, small-lake fishing, and cottage communities dominate the region.
| Lake | County | Clarity | Depth | Fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake George | Steuben | 14.5 ft | - | 0 |
| Dewart Lake | Kosciusko | 10.2 ft | - | 0 |
| Winona Lake | Kosciusko | 2.8 ft | - | 0 |
| Yellow Creek Lake | Kosciusko | 2.8 ft | - | 0 |
| Lake Wawasee | Kosciusko | 5.9 ft | - | 0 |
| Pike Lake | Kosciusko | 1.9 ft | - | 0 |
| Beaver Dam Lake | Kosciusko | 3.1 ft | - | 0 |
| Webster Lake | Kosciusko | 5.6 ft | - | 0 |
| Oswego Lake | Kosciusko | 9.9 ft | - | 0 |
| Big Chapman Lake | Kosciusko | 6.9 ft | - | 0 |
| Tippecanoe Lake | Kosciusko | 8.5 ft | - | 0 |
| James Lake | Kosciusko | 5.3 ft | - | 0 |
| Center Lake | Kosciusko | 8.7 ft | - | 0 |
| Big Barbee Lake | Kosciusko | 3.1 ft | - | 0 |
| Syracuse Lake | Kosciusko | 8.8 ft | - | 0 |
Ways to pick a Northern Indiana Lake Country lake
Cleanest water
- Lake George — 14.5 ft clarity
- Dewart Lake — 10.2 ft clarity
- Winona Lake — 2.8 ft clarity
- Yellow Creek Lake — 2.8 ft clarity
Cleanest Lakes in Northern Indiana Lake Country
Other Lake Regions
Plan a trip in Indiana
Indiana's cleanest lakes, ranked on agency measurements
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Indiana's top lakes, each with its readings
Cleanest lakes within 50 miles of Indianapolis
Cleanest lakes within 50 miles of Fort Wayne
Frequently Asked Questions
The Northern Indiana Lake Country area has 15 lakes with water-quality records from state and federal monitoring. 15 of them have a clarity reading and 0 have documented fish species.
Cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals around Northern Indiana Lake Country are on the map below with live availability. A lake with low nutrient and algae readings is the better swim and cabin pick when water quality is part of the trip.
The lakes with the lowest nutrient and algae readings lead the table above. Each lake page shows its own phosphorus, chlorophyll-a and clarity readings beside the EPA condition class; none of it is a same-day swim clearance.
Where to stay near Northern Indiana Lake Country
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Northern Indiana Lake Country — then explore the interactive map to find a place to stay close to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Northern Indiana Lake Country
Prices for Oct 9–11, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.