Lakes in Washington County, Minnesota
18 lakes in Washington County, ranked by Lake Score.
Washington County has 18 lakes in this directory covering about 17,445 acres of water. The largest is Lake St. Croix at 8,393 acres, and the deepest on record is Lake Elmo at 140 feet. 16 have a public boat launch and 7 have a mapped swim beach.
The fish most often recorded in DNR surveys here are northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed.
Lake St. Croix
83 out of 100 Lake ScoreWashington · Stillwater8,393 acres
White Bear Lake
80 out of 100 Lake ScoreWashington · White Bear Lake2,428 acres
Lake Elmo
78 out of 100 Lake ScoreWashington · Lake Elmo257 acres
Square Lake
78 out of 100 Lake ScoreWashington · Stillwater203 acres
Big Marine Lake
69 out of 100 Lake ScoreWashington · Forest Lake1,799 acres
Forest Lake
68 out of 100 Lake ScoreWashington · Forest Lake2,271 acres
Big Carnelian Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreWashington · Stillwater457 acres
Tanners Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreWashington · Landfall74 acres
Jane Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreWashington · Lake Elmo158 acres
DeMontreville Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreWashington · Lake Elmo157 acres
Lily Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreWashington · Stillwater44 acres
Battle Creek
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreWashington · Landfall106 acres
All 18 lakes
Sorted by rank. Tap a lake for access, fish species and directions.
| Lake | Acres | Max depth | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake St. Croixnear Stillwater | 8,393 | 78 ft | 83 out of 100 Lake Score |
| White Bear Lakenear White Bear Lake | 2,428 | 83 ft | 80 out of 100 Lake Score |
| Lake Elmonear Lake Elmo | 257 | 140 ft | 78 out of 100 Lake Score |
| Square Lakenear Stillwater | 203 | 68 ft | 78 out of 100 Lake Score |
| Big Marine Lakenear Forest Lake | 1,799 | 60 ft | 69 out of 100 Lake Score |
| Forest Lakenear Forest Lake | 2,271 | 37 ft | 68 out of 100 Lake Score |
| Big Carnelian Lakenear Stillwater | 457 | 66 ft | 66 out of 100 Lake Score |
| Tanners Lakenear Landfall | 74 | 46 ft | 62 out of 100 Lake Score |
| Jane Lakenear Lake Elmo | 158 | 39 ft | 58 out of 100 Lake Score |
| DeMontreville Lakenear Lake Elmo | 157 | 24 ft | 57 out of 100 Lake Score |
| Lily Lakenear Stillwater | 44 | 51 ft | 57 out of 100 Lake Score |
| Battle Creeknear Landfall | 106 | 15 ft | 55 out of 100 Lake Score |
| Clear Lakenear Forest Lake | 429 | 28 ft | 52 out of 100 Lake Score |
| Bone Lakenear Forest Lake | 221 | 30 ft | 51 out of 100 Lake Score |
| Goose Lakenear Scandia | 76 | 25 ft | 49 out of 100 Lake Score |
| Sunset Lakenear White Bear Lake | 133 | 17 ft | 47 out of 100 Lake Score |
| Little Carnelian Lakenear Carnelian Junction | 137 | 68 ft | 30 out of 100 Lake Score |
| Long Lakenear Stillwater | 102 | 22 ft | 13 out of 100 Lake Score |
Best of Washington County
Lakes by amenity
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes are in Washington County, Minnesota?
This directory lists 18 lakes in Washington County — those of roughly 100 acres or more (plus smaller lakes with public access and a fishery) in the Minnesota DNR's LakeFinder records. The county has more small, unnamed and private basins that are not listed.
What is the largest lake in Washington County?
Lake St. Croix is the largest at 8,393 acres, near Stillwater.
What is the deepest lake in Washington County?
Lake Elmo has the greatest recorded depth at 140 feet.
What fish can you catch in Washington County lakes?
DNR surveys most often record northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed in Washington County lakes. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older.