Lake trip · Washington County, Minnesota
Where to stay at White Bear Lake
White Bear Lake covers 2,428 acres in Washington County and carries a water-quality grade of A (Excellent). Compare cabins, resorts, and vacation rentals below. The grade measures nutrients and algae — it is not a stay-or-skip rating. Open water runs roughly Apr 12 to Dec 6, with June through August the peak stretch for swimming, boating, and fishing.
Places to stay near White Bear Lake
Cabins, resorts, hotels, and vacation rentals near White Bear Lake in Washington County, Minnesota — live availability and prices. Add your dates to see totals.
Top-rated places to stay near White Bear Lake
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
About the water
White Bear Lake grades A for nutrients and algae — Excellent. Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae. Water clarity is about 14.4 ft of visibility. Algae (chlorophyll-a) measures 2.7 µg/L. The letter is not a reason to skip cabins and rentals around the lake.
Best time to visit
Open water runs roughly Apr 12 to Dec 6, with June through August the peak stretch for swimming, boating, and fishing.
Check the National Weather Service forecast for White Bear Lake →
About White Bear Lake
Fish: black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, common carp, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish.
Fishing & license
When to fish White Bear Lake — the seasonal windows by species, from state survey data.
Minnesota fishing license
Anglers under 16 are not required to have a license. Residents age 90+ also exempt. · The Minnesota walleye, northern pike, and bass season opens the Saturday two days before Mother's Day. Most other species are open year-round.
Prices as published by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 2026.
Camping & RV near White Bear Lake
Base your trip at a nearby state park for tent and RV camping and trails, with White Bear Lake a short drive away — or search all public campgrounds and RV sites in the area on Recreation.gov.
- William O'Brien State Park · State Park14.5 mi
- Fort Snelling State Park · State Park16.2 mi
- Afton State Park · State Park17.6 mi
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Cabins, resorts, and vacation rentals around White Bear Lake in Washington County, Minnesota are on the map above with live availability and nightly prices. Waterfront rentals put you on the dock; lodging in the nearest town is usually cheaper with more choice. William O'Brien State Park is about 14.5 miles away for campground options.
White Bear Lake has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae. Always check local health-department advisories before swimming.
Open water runs roughly Apr 12 to Dec 6, with June through August the peak stretch for swimming, boating, and fishing.
Explore White Bear Lake
Every graded lake in Minnesota, ranked A–F
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Minnesota
Fish species and best lakes in Washington County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Minnesota's top lakes, each with its grade
Lakes in the St. Croix Watershed, ranked by water quality
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Minnesota's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
LakeQuality Lake Trip Planner (2026)
Free trip-planning guide for White Bear Lake: how to pick a clean lake, the water-quality signals that matter, best swimming and fishing windows, and where to stay.
Lodging availability and prices are provided by Stay22 and its booking partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia); LakeQuality may earn a commission from bookings at no extra cost to you. Water-quality grades are independent of lodging listings. Always check current health-department advisories and managing-agency conditions before you travel.