Few things are quite as breathtaking as the pristine, clear lakes in Indiana that beckon everyone with adventure in their hearts. They’re beautiful, cool, and perfect for cooling down on a hot day. These are just a few of our favorites; there are more than 80 lakes in this beautiful state, so it’s truly tough to narrow it down to just a handful! Check out some of the clearest lakes in Indiana – our favorites!
- Lake James
Just Will/Flickr Lake James, located in the northeast corner of Indiana, is a stunning and large natural lake boasting more than 1,200 acres of water surface. In fact, it’s the fourth-largest natural lake in the whole state, and it’s perfect for fishing and boating as well as swimming. Lake James, Indiana, USA
- Patoka Lake
LouisvilleUSACE/Flickr Patoka Lake is the second-largest reservoir in Indiana and spans three counties. It’s home to some very interesting wildlife - where else will you find thriving and happy freshwater jellyfish? This beautiful lake in Indiana is one you won’t want to miss. Patoka Lake, Indiana, USA
- Monroe Lake
Elizabeth Nicodemus/Flickr Monroe Lake is the largest reservoir in Indiana. Located southeast of Bloomington, it’s quite impressive. With an incredible 10,750 acres of water surface to admire, what’s not to love? Monroe lake also happens to be an amazing place for kayaking in Indiana. Monroe Lake, Clear Creek Township, IN 47401, USA
- Deam Lake
Jonathan Parrish/Flickr Deam Lake in Indiana might be small, but it packs a mighty punch. At just 194 acres of water surface, it makes up for the lack of acreage in the immense variety of things to do. You can go boating, fishing, camping, hunting, hiking, and swimming, and that’s just the beginning of the list. Deam Lake, Carr Township, IN 47106, USA
- Lake Shafer
Roger Gerbig/Flickr Lake Shafer is one of two man-made reservoirs in the Monticello area. Lake Shafer was crafted by human hands in the 1920s and is 1,300 acres of sparkly, clear water. Best of all, located on Lake Shafer is one of the best amusement parks in Indiana there is. Lake Shafer, Indiana 47960, USA
- Lake Lemon
Adam Julian/Flickr Lake Lemon is the 11th-largest lake in Indiana. This one is great for everyone, especially families, as it isn’t super deep. Its average depth is just 9.7 feet, and the lake spans 1,650 acres. Lake Lemon, Indiana 47468, USA
- Griffy Lake
Amanda Smith/Flickr Griffy Lake is more than just a cute name. This tiny, 109-acre man-made reservoir is surrounded by lush, scenic woodlands, and is definitely one of those places you’ll want to take a million pictures of. Griffy Lake, Bloomington, IN 47408, USA
- Lake Maxinkuckee
Stephen A. Wolfe/Flickr Last on this list, but certainly not least, is the beautiful Lake Maxinkuckee. It’s the second-largest all-natural lake in Indiana, and spanning 1,864 acres, it’s decently large. This one is popular with divers, as it reaches a maximum depth of 88 feet. Lake Maxinkuckee, Union Township, IN 46511, USA
So, what do you think? Which clear lakes in Indiana would you add to this list? Which is your favorite? Share your pictures and favorite stories in the comments!
Just Will/Flickr
Lake James, located in the northeast corner of Indiana, is a stunning and large natural lake boasting more than 1,200 acres of water surface. In fact, it’s the fourth-largest natural lake in the whole state, and it’s perfect for fishing and boating as well as swimming.
Lake James, Indiana, USA
LouisvilleUSACE/Flickr
Patoka Lake is the second-largest reservoir in Indiana and spans three counties. It’s home to some very interesting wildlife - where else will you find thriving and happy freshwater jellyfish? This beautiful lake in Indiana is one you won’t want to miss.
Patoka Lake, Indiana, USA
Elizabeth Nicodemus/Flickr
Monroe Lake is the largest reservoir in Indiana. Located southeast of Bloomington, it’s quite impressive. With an incredible 10,750 acres of water surface to admire, what’s not to love? Monroe lake also happens to be an amazing place for kayaking in Indiana.
Monroe Lake, Clear Creek Township, IN 47401, USA
Jonathan Parrish/Flickr
Deam Lake in Indiana might be small, but it packs a mighty punch. At just 194 acres of water surface, it makes up for the lack of acreage in the immense variety of things to do. You can go boating, fishing, camping, hunting, hiking, and swimming, and that’s just the beginning of the list.
Deam Lake, Carr Township, IN 47106, USA
Roger Gerbig/Flickr
Lake Shafer is one of two man-made reservoirs in the Monticello area. Lake Shafer was crafted by human hands in the 1920s and is 1,300 acres of sparkly, clear water. Best of all, located on Lake Shafer is one of the best amusement parks in Indiana there is.
Lake Shafer, Indiana 47960, USA
Adam Julian/Flickr
Lake Lemon is the 11th-largest lake in Indiana. This one is great for everyone, especially families, as it isn’t super deep. Its average depth is just 9.7 feet, and the lake spans 1,650 acres.
Lake Lemon, Indiana 47468, USA
Amanda Smith/Flickr
Griffy Lake is more than just a cute name. This tiny, 109-acre man-made reservoir is surrounded by lush, scenic woodlands, and is definitely one of those places you’ll want to take a million pictures of.
Griffy Lake, Bloomington, IN 47408, USA
Stephen A. Wolfe/Flickr
Last on this list, but certainly not least, is the beautiful Lake Maxinkuckee. It’s the second-largest all-natural lake in Indiana, and spanning 1,864 acres, it’s decently large. This one is popular with divers, as it reaches a maximum depth of 88 feet.
Lake Maxinkuckee, Union Township, IN 46511, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Clearest Lakes In Indiana May 22, 2022 Tori Jane What are the cleanest lakes in Indiana? Did you know that there are more than 80 lakes in Indiana, with 19 natural lakes over 500 acres in size. Some, naturally, are cleaner than others, and many are famous for their beautiful, pristine water. The cleanest lakes in Indiana include lakes like Patoka Lake, which is located in Birdseye and known for its clearness. We also love Lake James at Pokagon State Park, and Lake Monroe is astonishingly beautiful and quite popular among Hoosier State residents looking to cool off. What are the best lakes in Indiana for a summer day? As we said above, there are more than 80 lakes in Indiana – all of which are wonderful for cooling off on a sweltering summer day. Some of the best lakes in Indiana for cooling off in the summertime are the ones we mentioned in the previous paragraph, but of course, there are lots more! Lake Michigan is the obvious answer, with some of the cleanest water in the country. It’s so vast that it looks and feels like the ocean, and it’s just as clear as the sea as well. Deam Lake is located within the Deam Lake State Recreation Area and is perfect for a hot day, as you can dip your toes in and feel refreshed. What are the clearest lakes in Indiana? There’s a lake in Indiana that’s so clear that that’s its whole name! Clear Lake in Indiana is a beautiful place with stunningly clear water – so much so that it’s named after this clarity. Another favorite clear lake in Indiana is the chain of lakes known as the Barbee Lakes, and we also love Lake Maxinkuckee. We’re also big fans of Lake Lemon, which is crystal-clear and totally perfect for a summertime escape. With more than 80 lakes to choose from – 86, to be exact – it’s hard to decide which ones are the cleanest and clearest, but these ones are an excellent start.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Clearest Lakes In Indiana
May 22, 2022
Tori Jane
What are the cleanest lakes in Indiana? Did you know that there are more than 80 lakes in Indiana, with 19 natural lakes over 500 acres in size. Some, naturally, are cleaner than others, and many are famous for their beautiful, pristine water. The cleanest lakes in Indiana include lakes like Patoka Lake, which is located in Birdseye and known for its clearness. We also love Lake James at Pokagon State Park, and Lake Monroe is astonishingly beautiful and quite popular among Hoosier State residents looking to cool off. What are the best lakes in Indiana for a summer day? As we said above, there are more than 80 lakes in Indiana – all of which are wonderful for cooling off on a sweltering summer day. Some of the best lakes in Indiana for cooling off in the summertime are the ones we mentioned in the previous paragraph, but of course, there are lots more! Lake Michigan is the obvious answer, with some of the cleanest water in the country. It’s so vast that it looks and feels like the ocean, and it’s just as clear as the sea as well. Deam Lake is located within the Deam Lake State Recreation Area and is perfect for a hot day, as you can dip your toes in and feel refreshed. What are the clearest lakes in Indiana? There’s a lake in Indiana that’s so clear that that’s its whole name! Clear Lake in Indiana is a beautiful place with stunningly clear water – so much so that it’s named after this clarity. Another favorite clear lake in Indiana is the chain of lakes known as the Barbee Lakes, and we also love Lake Maxinkuckee. We’re also big fans of Lake Lemon, which is crystal-clear and totally perfect for a summertime escape. With more than 80 lakes to choose from – 86, to be exact – it’s hard to decide which ones are the cleanest and clearest, but these ones are an excellent start.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Did you know that there are more than 80 lakes in Indiana, with 19 natural lakes over 500 acres in size. Some, naturally, are cleaner than others, and many are famous for their beautiful, pristine water. The cleanest lakes in Indiana include lakes like Patoka Lake, which is located in Birdseye and known for its clearness. We also love Lake James at Pokagon State Park, and Lake Monroe is astonishingly beautiful and quite popular among Hoosier State residents looking to cool off.
What are the best lakes in Indiana for a summer day?
As we said above, there are more than 80 lakes in Indiana – all of which are wonderful for cooling off on a sweltering summer day. Some of the best lakes in Indiana for cooling off in the summertime are the ones we mentioned in the previous paragraph, but of course, there are lots more! Lake Michigan is the obvious answer, with some of the cleanest water in the country. It’s so vast that it looks and feels like the ocean, and it’s just as clear as the sea as well. Deam Lake is located within the Deam Lake State Recreation Area and is perfect for a hot day, as you can dip your toes in and feel refreshed.
What are the clearest lakes in Indiana?
There’s a lake in Indiana that’s so clear that that’s its whole name! Clear Lake in Indiana is a beautiful place with stunningly clear water – so much so that it’s named after this clarity. Another favorite clear lake in Indiana is the chain of lakes known as the Barbee Lakes, and we also love Lake Maxinkuckee. We’re also big fans of Lake Lemon, which is crystal-clear and totally perfect for a summertime escape. With more than 80 lakes to choose from – 86, to be exact – it’s hard to decide which ones are the cleanest and clearest, but these ones are an excellent start.
