Quick answer: 26 glacial lakes sit within about 21 miles of downtown Lake Geneva, across Walworth, Kenosha, Racine, Waukesha and Jefferson counties. Geneva Lake (5,401 acres, 135 feet deep) is the largest and deepest. Delavan Lake (1,906 acres) and the Lauderdale chain (841 acres) are next.

For a public beach, go to Geneva Lake, Whitewater Lake, Browns Lake or Twin Lakes. For a quiet paddle, try Honey, Rice or Lower Spring.

Everyone knows Geneva Lake. Fewer people realize it sits in one of the densest clusters of lakes in the Midwest, from spring-fed kettle lakes over 50 feet deep to 6-foot marshy ponds.

The water is public under Wisconsin’s Public Trust Doctrine. Getting to it is the hard part, so this guide lists each lake’s public access along with DNR size and depth.

Which lake should you pick?

Swimming beachGeneva Lake (4 public beaches), Whitewater Lake, Browns Lake at Fischer Park, Lance Park on Lake Mary.

Big-water boatingGeneva Lake, then Delavan Lake and Lake Beulah.

Clearest waterGeneva Lake and Lily Lake (both rated “very clear” by the DNR), plus Powers Lake.

Kayak or paddleboardHoney Lake (carry-in only), Rice Lake, Lower Spring Lake, Bohners Lake.

Bass fishingLake Como, Powers, Lily and Elizabeth all list largemouth as abundant.

Ice fishingLake Lorraine and Lake Como for panfish; Geneva and Delavan for bigger water.

Camping on the waterWhitewater Lake in the Kettle Moraine Southern Unit.

Hardest to reachBenedict (no public launch) and Booth (East Troy residents only).

All 26 lakes at a glance

Acreage and maximum depth are from Wisconsin DNR Lake Pages. Miles are approximate road distance from downtown Lake Geneva. Scroll the table sideways on a phone.

Lake	Acres	Max depth	Miles	Public access	Beach
Geneva Lake	5,401	135 ft	0 to 8	Several launches	Yes, 4 main
Lake Como	955	9 ft	4	2 town launches	No
Powers Lake	451	33 ft	8	Launch off County F	No
Benedict Lake	76	37 ft	8	None	No
Bohners Lake	135	30 ft	8	Landing off Lagoon Dr.	Yes
Delavan Lake	1,906	52 ft	10	4 launches	Yes
Lake Mary	327	33 ft	10	Lance Park	Yes
Lake Elizabeth	725	32 ft	10	2 launches	Yes, Sunset Beach
Honey Lake	40	6 ft	11	Carry-in only	No
Lily Lake	85	22 ft	11	Small paved launch	No
Browns Lake	397	44 ft	12	Fischer Park	Yes, lifeguarded
Lake Wandawega	120	8 ft	12	Landing off Hwy. 67	No
Booth Lake	118	24 ft	14	East Troy residents only	Check rules
Lauderdale Lakes	841	57 ft	14	Launches on Green and Mill	No
North Lake	255	11 ft	14	1 landing	No
Pleasant Lake	145	29 ft	15	West-side ramp	No
Lake Beulah	812	58 ft	16	Fee launch, SW shore	No
Turtle Lake	141	30 ft	16	North-shore landing	No
Potters Lake	155	26 ft	16	SE-shore launch	No
Whitewater Lake	625	35 ft	18	State launch (sticker)	Yes
Eagle Spring Lake	279	8 ft	18	DNR concrete launch	No
Lake Lorraine	155	8 ft	18	1 landing	No
Rice Lake	144	10 ft	19	1 launch	No
Phantom Lakes	483 (2 basins)	29 ft	19	Village launch	No
Blue Spring Lake	136	27 ft	20	Ramp, no parking	No
Lower Spring Lake	105	11 ft	21	1 landing	Yes

The Geneva Lake core

Geneva Lake

5,401 acres · 135 ft max depth · Lake Geneva, Williams Bay, Fontana

Public beachesVery clearRentals

Spring-fed, deep and the clearest big lake in the area. The DNR lists smallmouth bass as abundant, with largemouth, pike, walleye and trout present.

Public beaches: Riviera Beach downtown, Fontana, Williams Bay and Big Foot Beach State Park. The 21-mile Shore Path circles the whole lake.

Tip: Launches in Lake Geneva, Williams Bay and Fontana fill early on summer weekends. Launch before 9 a.m. or rent a pontoon instead; see the boat tours and rentals guide.

Lake Como

955 acres · 9 ft max depth · 4 miles north of downtown

Bass and pikeShallow

Big, shallow and weedy, which makes it a fish factory. The DNR rates largemouth bass and northern pike as abundant. It’s next to Geneva National.

2 public launches. Don’t plan on swimming; there’s no public beach and the bottom is soft.

The Delavan lakes

Delavan Lake

1,906 acres · 52 ft max depth · about 10 miles west

Big waterMusky and walleye

The area’s second-largest lake and the best backup when Geneva Lake is packed. The DNR lists 4 boat landings, 1 beach and a fishery that includes musky and walleye.

Lake Lawn Resort on the north shore rents boats and runs the Lake Lawn Queen tour boat. More in the Delavan guide.

Turtle Lake

141 acres · 30 ft max depth · about 16 miles northwest

Spring-fed

A small spring-fed lake between Delavan and Whitewater with a north-shore public landing. Snug Harbor sits on the water if you want lunch after.

The Elkhorn and Lauderdale lakes

Residential lakes with cottages and year-round homes. Fewer rentals, fewer crowds.

Lauderdale Lakes

841 acres combined · 57 ft max depth · about 14 miles north

3-lake chainWalleye

Green Lake (311 acres, 57 feet), Middle Lake and Mill Lake (271 acres, 40 feet) connect by channels, so you can boat all 3. Public launches are on Green and Mill. The DNR lists walleye in both.

More Elkhorn-area lakes

Pleasant Lake

145 acres · 29 ft · about 15 miles north

Spring-fed and calm, with a west-side public ramp. Largemouth bass are abundant.

Lake Wandawega

120 acres · 8 ft · about 12 miles north, off Hwy. 67

Small and shallow, with abundant panfish. Home of Camp Wandawega, a 1920s resort listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

North Lake

255 acres · 11 ft · about 14 miles north

Shallow and weedy with a soft bottom. Panfish are abundant; pike and largemouth present. 1 public landing.

See the Elkhorn guide for the town.

The East Troy and Mukwonago lakes

Lake Beulah

812 acres · 58 ft max depth · about 16 miles northeast

Deep and clearLaunch fee

The deepest lake on this list after Geneva. It’s clear, with bass, pike and panfish. The public launch is on the southwest shore and charges a fee.

More East Troy and Mukwonago lakes

Booth Lake

118 acres · 24 ft · about 14 miles northeast

Spring-fed and quiet. The launch at Booth Lake Memorial Park is limited to residents and business owners of the Town and Village of East Troy. Check park rules before you plan a swim.

Potters Lake

155 acres · 26 ft · about 16 miles northeast

A residential lake with a southeast-shore public launch. Panfish and largemouth are abundant.

Eagle Spring Lake

279 acres · 8 ft · about 18 miles north

Shallow, with a wide DNR concrete launch. Paddle through to little Lulu Lake for one of the prettiest short trips in the area.

Phantom Lakes

483 acres in 2 basins · 29 ft · Mukwonago, about 19 miles northeast

Upper Phantom (110 acres, 29 feet) and Lower Phantom (373 acres, 12 feet). The village launch is at Phantom Glen Park. Boat traffic runs counterclockwise.

Town guides: East Troy and Mukwonago.

The Whitewater and Kettle Moraine lakes

Whitewater Lake

625 acres · 35 ft max depth · about 18 miles northwest

State beachCampingSticker required

The best all-in-one lake day outside Geneva. The state forest has a beach (no lifeguards), a boat launch, a campground and access to the Ice Age Trail.

Tip: The launch requires a Wisconsin state park vehicle admission sticker. Buy an annual one if you’ll come more than twice. More in the Kettle Moraine Southern Unit guide.

More Whitewater and Palmyra lakes

Rice Lake

144 acres · 10 ft · about 19 miles northwest

Connected to Whitewater Lake. Weedy, warm and good for wildlife and panfish. 1 public launch with a playground.

Lake Lorraine

155 acres · 8 ft · about 18 miles northwest

Shallow with a soft bottom. Known locally for spring crappie and winter ice fishing.

Blue Spring Lake

136 acres · 27 ft · Palmyra, about 20 miles north

Panfish are abundant. The ramp has no trailer parking, so plan a drop-off.

Lower Spring Lake

105 acres · 11 ft · Palmyra, about 21 miles north

A small paddling lake with a public landing and beach. Smallmouth bass are abundant. It gets weedy by late summer.

See the Whitewater guide for the town.

The Twin Lakes and southern lakes

Lake Mary and Lake Elizabeth

327 acres and 725 acres · 33 ft and 32 ft · Twin Lakes, about 10 miles southeast

BeachesWater ski shows

The village of Twin Lakes sits between them. Lance Park on Lake Mary has a beach, launch, fishing pier and the amphitheater where the free Aquanuts water ski shows run in summer. Lake Elizabeth has Sunset Beach and 2 launches.

More southern lakes

Powers Lake

451 acres · 33 ft · about 8 miles southeast

Clear water and a strong bass lake, with walleye and smallmouth too. The public launch is off County F on the northeast shore.

Lily Lake

85 acres · 22 ft · about 11 miles southeast

Rated “very clear” by the DNR and known for big largemouth. The paved launch has room for only a couple of trailers.

Benedict Lake

76 acres · 37 ft · about 8 miles east

No public launch. If you want to be on this one, you need a place on the shore.

See the Twin Lakes, Powers Lake and Genoa City guide.

The Burlington lakes

Browns Lake and Fischer Park

397 acres · 44 ft · 30326 Durand Ave., Burlington · $3 beach admission

LifeguardsLaunch

The only lifeguarded beach on this list: guards are on duty Memorial Day to Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Kids under 6 and adults 62 and over get in free. The county park also has the public launch.

Tip: No dogs, alcohol or glass at Fischer Park.

More Burlington-area lakes

Bohners Lake

135 acres · 30 ft · about 8 miles northeast

A good kayak lake with a public landing off Lagoon Drive and a small beach. Largemouth are abundant.

Honey Lake

40 acres · 6 ft · about 11 miles northeast

Carry-in launch only, electric motors only. The smallest and shallowest lake here, and one of the quietest.

See the Burlington guide.

Best by category

Category	Lake	Why
Best overall	Geneva Lake	Deepest, clearest, most public access
Best beach day outside Geneva	Browns Lake	Lifeguards, low admission
Best all-in-one park	Whitewater Lake	Beach, launch, camping, trails
Best backup big lake	Delavan Lake	1,906 acres, 4 launches
Best quiet paddle	Honey Lake	Carry-in and electric only
Best bass lake	Lake Como	Largemouth and pike both abundant
Best with kids	Lance Park, Lake Mary	Beach, pier and free ski shows
Best chain to explore	Lauderdale Lakes	3 lakes connected by channel

Before you launch

Clean, drain, dry. Wisconsin law requires you to remove plants and animals from your boat and trailer and drain all water before leaving any launch. Zebra mussels and starry stonewort are in several area lakes.

Know the slow-no-wake rule. State law sets slow-no-wake within 100 feet of shore, piers, swimmers and anchored boats. Many lakes add local rules, like time-of-day speed limits or counterclockwise traffic.

Check posted signs. Launch fees, parking limits and motor rules change by lake. The DNR Lake Page for each lake lists its boat landings.

For species and seasons, see the Lake Geneva fishing guide.

If you’re looking at a place on the water

Each lake has a different feel and price point. Geneva Lake has the deepest water, the most public access and the highest prices. Delavan, the Lauderdale chain, Lake Beulah and the Twin Lakes offer large lakes at a range of prices.

On lakes with limited public access, like Benedict and Booth, owning shoreline is the most reliable way onto the water. Shallow lakes like Como and Lorraine are better for fishing and paddling than swimming, which matters when you compare frontage.

Frequently asked questions

How many lakes are near Lake Geneva, Wisconsin?

About 26 lakes sit within roughly 21 miles of downtown Lake Geneva, across Walworth, Kenosha, Racine, Waukesha and Jefferson counties. The largest are Geneva Lake (5,401 acres), Delavan Lake (1,906 acres) and Lake Como (955 acres).

How deep is Geneva Lake?

Geneva Lake is 135 feet deep at its deepest point and covers 5,401 acres, according to the Wisconsin DNR. It’s spring-fed and rated very clear.

Which lakes near Lake Geneva have public swimming beaches?

Geneva Lake (Riviera, Fontana, Williams Bay and Big Foot Beach State Park), Whitewater Lake in the Kettle Moraine, Browns Lake at Fischer Park (lifeguarded Memorial Day to Labor Day), Lance Park on Lake Mary, Sunset Beach on Lake Elizabeth, Bohners Lake and Lower Spring Lake.

Can you launch a boat on any lake near Lake Geneva?

Most have public launches, but not all. Benedict Lake has no public launch. Booth Lake’s launch is limited to East Troy residents. Honey Lake is carry-in only with electric motors. Whitewater Lake requires a state park sticker, and Lake Beulah charges a launch fee.

Which lakes near Lake Geneva are the quietest?

Honey, Benedict and Booth stay quiet because access is limited. Rice Lake, Lower Spring Lake, North Lake and Lake Wandawega are shallow and weedy, which keeps fast boats away.

What is the clearest lake near Lake Geneva?

The DNR rates Geneva Lake and Lily Lake as very clear. Powers Lake and Lake Beulah are also known for clear water.

How far are the other lakes from Lake Geneva?

Lake Como is about 4 miles away. Delavan Lake and the Twin Lakes are about 10 miles. The Lauderdale chain, Lake Beulah and Turtle Lake are 14 to 16 miles. Whitewater, Phantom and the Palmyra lakes are 18 to 21 miles.

Is Lake Geneva the same as Geneva Lake?

No. Geneva Lake is the lake. Lake Geneva is the city on its northeast shore. Williams Bay and Fontana sit on the same lake.

Found your lake?

Kim and Joel Reyenga with eXp Realty work all of these lakes, from Geneva Lake frontage to cottages on the Lauderdale chain, Delavan Lake and the Twin Lakes.

Search lake properties Equal Housing Opportunity. Reyenga Team, eXp Realty.