Best lakes around Akeley, Minnesota, are found in the heart of the Northwoods, offering diverse recreational opportunities. The region is known for its numerous lakes, providing excellent fishing, boating, and swimming. Visitors can explore a variety of natural features and enjoy the serene beauty of the surroundings. This area is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking water-based activities and family friendly trails Akeley lakes.
Last updated: June 19, 2026
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Lying in a rolling Buckinghamshire landscape of arable fields, pasture and woodland, Foxcote Reservoir is the kind of place that rewards patient visitors. Created in 1956 by damming a small tributary of the River Great Ouse, this site has become important for the numbers of wintering waterfowl, especially wigeon and coot. https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/foxcote-reservoir
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Public school-boy favourite for stone-skipping and a spot of fishing on the sly. We had a picnic on the bank - it's a lovely place.
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The Stony Stratford Nature Reserve is a beautiful nugget of countryside with cleared islands and renovated bird hides connected by footpaths. The nature reserve offers nesting grounds and thriving wetland habitats for wildfowl and waders such as Kingfishers. Make sure to take advantage of the picturesque lake with its dipping platform, known for its vibrant dragonflies and damselflies.
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Beautiful lake at the bottom of Stowe Gardens by the main entrance. There is accessible paths all the way around too.
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One of the first areas of the garden that visitors may encounter is the Octagon Lake and the features associated with it. The lake was originally designed as a formal octagonal pool, with sharp corners, as part of the seventeenth century formal gardens. Over the years, the shape of the pond was softened, gradually harmonising it within Stowe's increasingly naturalistic landscape. Source: Wikipedia
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A very prominent Palladian bridge in the park, it is one of the highlights of this property.
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A beautiful part of the wider Ouse Valley Park, Stony Stratford Nature Reserve is a great place to see breeding and over-wintering birds, as well as many dragonfly species. Created in 1979 from the gravel workings used in the building of the nearby A5, the reserve comprises five lakes and 57 acres (23 ha) of wet meadow. It is owned and operated by the Parks Trust. Two hides allow you to spot various bird species, depending on the time of year. Terns, oystercatchers and lapwings nest on the islands between March and June. It’s a good place to see a number of raptors, including kestrels, sparrow-hawks, buzzards and red kites. It is not uncommon to spot ospreys on autumn passage.
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The most popular lakes in the Akeley area include Eleventh Crow Wing Lake, known for its clear, spring-fed waters and public amenities; Leech Lake, a premier destination for fishing; and Ten Mile Lake, one of Minnesota's deepest with exceptionally clear waters ideal for swimming and boating.
Akeley is renowned for its fishing opportunities. Leech Lake is a top spot for walleye and muskie. Other excellent choices include Woman Lake and Girl Lake for walleye and smallmouth bass, Little Boy Lake, Wabedo Lake, and Inguadona Lake for superb smallmouth and largemouth bass, and Cass Lake for a variety of species including walleye, muskie, and crappie. Howard Lake and Eleventh Crow Wing Lake also offer good fishing.
Yes, many lakes around Akeley are perfect for swimming and boating. Eleventh Crow Wing Lake has clear waters and a sandy swimming beach at Akeley City Park. Ten Mile Lake is particularly popular for its exceptionally clear waters, making it excellent for swimming, snorkeling, tubing, and boating.
The lakes around Akeley are nestled in the heart of Minnesota's Northwoods, offering serene natural beauty. You'll find pristine, clear, spring-fed waters, irregular shorelines, and diverse habitats. The area is known for its healthy fish populations and the tranquil environment of its forested surroundings.
Eleventh Crow Wing Lake is very family-friendly, with Akeley City Park on its shores offering public boat access, a fishing pier, a fish cleaning house, a sandy swimming beach, and a playground. Cass Lake is also considered a great family fishing spot due to its wide variety of fish.
Eleventh Crow Wing Lake is a 751-acre spring-fed lake praised for its pristine, clear waters and a maximum depth of 80 feet. It offers excellent opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming. Akeley City Park provides public access, a fishing pier, a sandy beach, and a playground, making it ideal for families.
Leech Lake is Minnesota's third-largest lake, spanning approximately 112,835 acres with 195 miles of shoreline. It's a premier destination for fishing, especially for walleye and muskie, attracting both professional and recreational anglers. Its complex habitat includes sprawling bays and rocky points.
Ten Mile Lake is one of Minnesota's deepest lakes, reaching 208 feet, and is known for its exceptionally clear waters. It's a popular spot for swimming, snorkeling, tubing, and boating, offering a quiet and peaceful experience despite some residential development.
For bass fishing enthusiasts, Little Boy Lake, Wabedo Lake, and Inguadona Lake are excellent choices, all known for superb smallmouth and largemouth bass populations. Woman Lake and Girl Lake also offer good smallmouth bass fishing.
Cass Lake, the largest in the Cass Lake Chain, is known for a wide variety of quality fish, including walleye, smallmouth and largemouth bass, muskie, bluegill, and crappie. It's a great spot for diverse fishing experiences.
Howard Lake is a popular fishing lake with good clarity, but it does not have developed public access. It's primarily enjoyed by those with private access to its shores.
The best time to visit the lakes around Akeley for water activities like swimming, boating, and fishing is typically during the warmer months, from late spring through early autumn. This period offers pleasant weather for enjoying the diverse recreational opportunities.


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