White Bear Lake vs Lake Elmo
Two of the top-scoring lakes in Washington County, Minnesota, side by side.
White Bear Lake is the larger of the two at 2,428 acres against 257 for Lake Elmo. On our rankings, White Bear Lake comes out ahead for fishing, White Bear Lake comes out ahead for swimming, White Bear Lake comes out ahead for boating, Lake Elmo comes out ahead for paddling, and White Bear Lake comes out ahead for ice fishing.
| Measure | White Bear Lake | Lake Elmo |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Score | 80 / 100 | 78 / 100 |
| Nearest town | White Bear Lake | Lake Elmo |
| Surface area | 2,428 acres | 257 acres |
| Max depth | 83 ft | 140 ft |
| Shoreline | 13.6 mi | 4.1 mi |
| Water clarity | 12.5 ft | 18.7 ft |
| Public access | 2 public boat launches (concrete) | 1 public boat launch (concrete) |
| Fish species | 18 | 13 |
| Game fish | Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass | Walleye, Northern Pike, Tiger Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass |
| Stocked | Yes | Yes |
| Special regulations | No | Yes |
| Swim beach | Yes | Yes |
| Camping | No | No |
| Invasive species | Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussel | Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussel |
Which lake is better for…
- FishingWhite Bear Lake
- SwimmingWhite Bear Lake
- BoatingWhite Bear Lake
- PaddlingLake Elmo
- Ice FishingWhite Bear Lake
The lakes
More comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, White Bear Lake or Lake Elmo?
White Bear Lake is bigger at 2,428 acres; Lake Elmo covers 257 acres.
Which is deeper, White Bear Lake or Lake Elmo?
Lake Elmo is deeper, with a maximum depth of 140 feet against 83 feet.
Is White Bear Lake or Lake Elmo better for fishing?
White Bear Lake ranks higher for fishing in this directory, based on game species, lake size, access and stocking. White Bear Lake lists 18 species and Lake Elmo lists 13.