The 5 Cleanest Lakes in Minnesota

Water is one of the most abundant resources on earth and is more than plentiful in Minnesota. Minnesota is known as the land of 10,000 lakes, but there are actually 11,842 lakes that are larger than 10 acres. These lakes were created by the movement and thawing of glaciers that went through Minnesota. At one point in time all these bodies of water were clean, but this is not the case anymore. Our list covers the five cleanest lakes in Minnesota today and why they are unique from other lakes in the state.

Deer Lake

#1 Deer Lake, Itasca County
Deer Lake is located in Itasca County and covers 4,156 acres, reaching about five miles long and 1.5 miles wide. What is truly amazing about Deer Lake is that the water is crystal clear up to 11 feet, making for a truly scenic view. Another feature that makes Deer Lake unique is the mineral-content in the lake. On bright summer days the lake appears to turn a bright blue-green color, giving it its nickname the lake of changing colors.


Lake Vermillion

#2 Lake Vermillion, Tower
Lake number two hails from Tower, Minn. and is great if you want to visit an island a day for the next year. Located 85 miles north of Duluth, Lake Vermillion is known as the Crown Jewel of the North. It features over 1200 miles of shoreline, decorated with resorts and lodges, along with a champion golf course, some of the best fishing in Minnesota and a top-notch casino.

Lake Minnetonka

#3 Lake Minnetonka, Hennepin County
Just southwest of St. Paul, Lake Minnetonka reaches 14,000 acres and is best known for the ample amount of fish in the lake. This lake is truly a fisherman’s paradise and will not disappoint its reputation. Northern Pike, Muskies, Largemouth Bass and Walleye are just a few examples of the different species that call Lake Minnetonka home. Lake Vermillion has something to offer to the non-fisher too. The long winding road around Lake Vermillion has breathtaking views that draw a lot of attention to the lake.

Lake of the Woods 

#4 Lake of the Woods, Baudette
Lake of the Woods in Baudette and has been called one of the most scenic lakes in the country. A uniqueness about Lake of the Woods is that it has the best beaches in northern Minnesota with over 65,000 miles of shoreline and more than 14,000 islands, making the trip to Baudette well worth the ride. Spend some time at Zippel Bay State park for some inspiring views and enjoy yourself with the numerous water activities. These include canoeing, kayaking, water skiing, wake boarding and jet skiing to name a few.

Lake of the Isles

#5 Lake of the Isles, Minneapolis
Lake of the Isles is known as “the best lake in your backyard”, which is due to the fact that it is located in the heart of a neighborhood. Reaching just 120 acres, Lake of the Isles has everything from canoeing in the summer to ice skating in the winter. Swimming is not suggested for this lake but you can easily spend your time with a picnic on the water, a game of frisbee, or a walk with your dog in the dog park.