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Best Lakes in Michigan

18 top-rated lakes in Michigan. Discover pristine lakes ideal for swimming, fishing, boating, and peaceful waterfront relaxation.

Myers Lake Park (Rockford, 4.4 from 502 reviews), Lake St Clair (4.6 from 261 reviews) and Baldwin Lake (Greenville, 4.4 from 250 reviews) are the most-reviewed swimming lakes in Michigan. The full ranking below covers 18 spots, ordered by how many people have reviewed them, each with photos, ratings and directions.

SwimmingFishingKayakingBoatingCamping

Top Lakes in Michigan

Top 10 on the map

Locations approximate to pin

14.4(502)

Myers Lake Park

Lake · Rockford, Michigan

A lake in Rockford, Michigan.

24.6(261)

Lake St Clair

Lake · Michigan

Lined with boat clubs & public beaches, this fresh-water lake offers fishing & seasonal events.

34.4(250)

Baldwin Lake

Lake · Greenville, Michigan

A lake in Greenville, Michigan.

44.9(233)

Lake of the Clouds

Lake · Carp Lake Township, Michigan

Valley lake offering swimming & fishing spots, plus campsites, hiking trails & a scenic overlook.

54.9(135)

Higgins Lake

Lake · Michigan

Camping nearby

Tranquil lake surrounded by parks & popular for perch, trout & pike fishing, plus sunset views.

64.7(119)

Houghton Lake

Lake · Michigan

Recreational lake providing campsites, resorts, swimming beaches, boat launches & fishing spots.

74.5(103)

Lake Lansing

Lake · Haslett, Michigan

461-acre lake featuring beaches, sailing clubs & several parks, one with a historic carousel.

84.7(101)

Reeds Lake

Lake · Michigan

Large, scenic lake on a park with a walking path, public boat launch & year-round fishing.

94.8(96)

Burt Lake

Lake · Michigan

Large, popular lake featuring boating, year-round fishing, swimming & other recreation.

104.9(89)

Lake Charlevoix

Lake · Michigan

Camping nearby

3rd largest lake in Michigan, with many public beaches, parks & activities like sailing & fishing.

4.7(78)

Crystal Lake

Lake · Michigan

Deep lake connected to Lake Michigan, with a long, sandy beach, plus resorts & rental cottages.

4.6(69)

Budd Lake

Lake · Michigan

Camping nearby

Angling is popular on this scenic, 175-acre lake bordering a state park with a beach & campsites.

4.4(57)

Goguac Lake

Lake · Battle Creek, Michigan

Stocked 352-acre lake with boat launches & a waterside park with a beach & picnic pavilions.

4.8(53)

Walloon Lake

Lake · Michigan

Camping nearby

Large glacier-formed lake boasting numerous recreation options in a picturesque setting.

4.5(53)

Lake Macatawa

Lake · Michigan

Lake offering water sports like kayaking & jet-skiing, with several parks along its edges.

4.8(23)

Muskegon Lake

Lake · Muskegon, Michigan

Freshwater coastal plain estuary covering 4,232 acres, popular for hiking, fishing & boating.

4.8(19)

Deer Lake

Lake · Ishpeming Township, Michigan

Camping nearby

Encircled by woods, this 900-acre lake is a popular spot for catching walleye & northern pike.

4.9(18)

Lake Paradise

Lake · Michigan

Lake Paradise, historically called "Carp Lake", is a lake that feeds the Carp Lake River. It is primarily located within Emmet County in the U.S. state of Michigan, with an eastern bay of the lake extending into Cheboygan County. The lake covers an area of 1,900 acres.

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