The 10 Largest Lakes in the U.S. That Aren’t the Great Lakes
When we talk about America’s largest lakes, the Great Lakes usually dominate the conversation. But beyond Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, the U.S. is home to some truly massive bodies of water — both natural and manmade — that offer rich ecosystems, cultural history, and outdoor adventure.
This list covers the 10 largest lakes in the United States by surface area, excluding the Great Lakes. From saltwater basins and glacial lakes to sprawling reservoirs, each one offers something different.
1. Lake of the Woods – Minnesota/Manitoba/Ontario
Surface Area: ~1,485 sq mi (U.S. portion ~1,015 sq mi)
Lake of the Woods sits at the northern edge of Minnesota and spills across the Canadian border into Manitoba and Ontario. It’s a sprawling body of water, famous for its 14,000+ islands, massive shoreline, and deep fishing culture. You can boat for hours without seeing the same view twice. Winter ice fishing and summer houseboat trips are common, and it’s one of the most biologically diverse lake systems in North America.
2. Iliamna Lake – Alaska
Surface Area: ~1,014 sq mi
Alaska’s largest lake and one of the largest in the U.S., Iliamna is incredibly remote. Located on the Alaska Peninsula, it’s fed by glacial runoff and surrounded by untouched wilderness. It supports a healthy sockeye salmon population and is one of the few lakes in the world known to host freshwater seals. Locals and some scientists also report sightings of a mysterious lake creature — dubbed “Illie” — adding cryptid lore to its legend.
3. Great Salt Lake – Utah
Surface Area: ~1,000–1,700 sq mi (fluctuates)
The largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere, the Great Salt Lake is a geological and ecological anomaly. Its surface area varies wildly depending on rainfall and snowmelt — ranging from 1,000 to over 1,700 square miles in wet years. The lake is hypersaline, supports brine shrimp and millions of migratory birds, and is a remnant of the prehistoric Lake Bonneville. In recent years, shrinking water levels have sparked environmental concern and large-scale conservation efforts.
4. Lake Okeechobee – Florida
Surface Area: ~730 sq mi
Known as “The Big O,” Lake Okeechobee is the largest freshwater lake in the southeastern U.S. Unlike most large lakes, it’s remarkably shallow — averaging just 9 feet deep. It plays a central role in Florida’s water management system and is surrounded by levees and agricultural land. It’s also a prime location for bass fishing and birdwatching. Water from Okeechobee is channeled into the Everglades, making it an important part of South Florida’s entire ecosystem.
5. Lake Oahe – South Dakota / North Dakota
Surface Area: ~685 sq mi
Lake Oahe is a massive reservoir along the Missouri River, stretching over 230 miles from Pierre, South Dakota, into southern North Dakota. It was formed by the construction of the Oahe Dam in the 1950s and is one of the longest reservoirs in the U.S. It’s a favorite for fishing walleye, salmon, and pike, and also has deep ties to the Lakota people, whose land was flooded to create it. Today it’s a major water source for nearby communities and a hub for boating and camping.
6. Lake Pontchartrain – Louisiana
Surface Area: ~630 sq mi
Despite its name, Lake Pontchartrain is technically an estuary, connected to the Gulf of Mexico by a series of waterways. It plays a huge cultural and economic role in Louisiana, especially for New Orleans, which sits along its southern edge. The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, which stretches nearly 24 miles across the lake, is one of the longest over-water bridges in the world. The lake supports a mix of saltwater and freshwater species and is a popular spot for shrimping, crabbing, and sailing.
7. Lake Sakakawea – North Dakota
Surface Area: ~520 sq mi
Formed by the Garrison Dam, Lake Sakakawea is a reservoir on the Missouri River and a close sibling to Lake Oahe. It has over 1,300 miles of shoreline — more than the entire California coast — and is an important recreational and ecological site in North Dakota. It’s named after Sacagawea (spelled Sakakawea locally), the Shoshone guide of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Anglers flock here for salmon, walleye, and northern pike.
8. Lake Champlain – New York / Vermont / Quebec
Surface Area: ~490 sq mi
Straddling the border of New York, Vermont, and southern Quebec, Lake Champlain is rich in colonial and Revolutionary War history. It once served as a major water route between Canada and the Hudson River Valley. Today, it's a favorite for sailing, kayaking, and fishing. The lake also has its own legendary sea creature — “Champ” — and is known for its clear waters and scenic views of the Adirondacks and Green Mountains.
9. Becharof Lake – Alaska
Surface Area: ~453 sq mi
Becharof Lake sits within the Becharof National Wildlife Refuge on the Alaska Peninsula. It’s remote, wild, and largely untouched by human development. The lake plays a vital role in the salmon-spawning ecosystem and supports large populations of brown bears, bald eagles, and migratory birds. Getting here requires serious effort — but for those who make it, Becharof offers one of the most pristine lakefront wildernesses in North America.
10. Lake St. Clair – Michigan / Ontario
Surface Area: ~430 sq mi
Often overshadowed by the nearby Great Lakes, Lake St. Clair connects Lake Huron to Lake Erie via the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers. It’s shallow (average depth of just 11 feet), but busy — especially for recreational boating and sportfishing. Its central location makes it a hub for the Great Lakes shipping industry, and it also serves as a recreational oasis for residents of Detroit and Windsor.
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