Largest Lakes in America: List of the top 10 Biggest Lakes in United States


Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America, along with Lake Superior and Lake Huron. It is the only one of the five Great Lakes that is completely located in the United States, bordering Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana.

Furthermore, the lake’s name comes from the Ojibwe word mishigami, which means “big lake.” Even more fascinating is that its area is larger than the entire country of Slovenia, meaning that the entire country could fit within Lake Michigan.

Lake Erie

Lake Erie

Source: Great Lakes Alliance

Coming in at number four is Lake Erie, located on the eastern border of the United States and Canada. Lake Erie is unique in that it is the shallowest and warmest of the Great Lakes, with an average temperature of 62.6°F (17°C).

It is known for its beautiful sunsets, which are especially picturesque when viewed from the Ohio Coast, as it borders the southern Ohio coast. It also supports a variety of fish and provides an important habitat for migratory birds.

Lake Ontario

Lake Ontario

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Lake Ontario is the fifth largest of the four lakes and the smallest. It is located on the border of the United States and Canada and is known for its deep water and diverse wildlife. It is the most unique lake because every drop of water that flows through the other four lakes flows through it.

Additionally, the lake is vital for transportation, water exchange, and fish migration because it is so close to the Atlantic Ocean and serves as a gateway for ships traveling between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean.

Forest Lake

Forest Lake

Source: Flickr

As its name suggests, Lake of the Woods is a magnificent body of water located in northern Minnesota and southern Ontario. Surrounded by lush forests, the lake has more than 14,500 islands and is home to a variety of wildlife, including bears, deer and bald eagles.

The water is so clear that you can see 25 feet (7.6 meters) below the surface, and it’s a favorite spot for fishing enthusiasts, with pike, northern pike, and pickerel in abundance.

Iliamna Lake

Iliamna Lake

Source: World Atlas

Surrounded by the Chigmit Mountains, Lake Iliamna is a highlight on our list. This beautiful lake, located in Southwest Alaska near the town of Iliamna, is the largest source of fresh water in North America.

The 1,012 square miles offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and are home to a variety of fish, including sockeye salmon, lake trout and Arctic char, making it a popular destination for anglers.

Great Salt Lake

Great Salt Lake

Source: Wikimedia Commons

The Great Salt Lake is a saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere of the United States, eight times saltier than the ocean. It is also the saltiest lake in the world, covering an area of ​​approximately 1,700 square miles.

The lake is a remnant of the prehistoric Lake Bonneville and is a popular tourist destination for its stunning scenery. You can see a variety of birds, including pelicans and seagulls, as well as artemia and algae that thrive in the lake’s salty water.

Lake Oahe

Lake Oahe

Source: Flickr

Lake Oahe, which straddles South Dakota and North Dakota, is the largest artificial lake in the U.S. It serves as a reservoir along the Missouri River, providing water for irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and more.

The lake stretches for 231 miles and covers over 370,000 acres. You can see Chinook salmon (which are largely artificially added) thriving in the waters of Lake Oahe. You can also see a variety of other fish that are naturally transported by the Missouri River.

Lake Okeechobee

Lake Okeechobee

Source: NARA and DVIDS public domain archives

Finally, we come to Lake Okeechobee, the second largest freshwater lake in the contiguous United States after Lake Michigan, covering over 730 square miles and serving as a vital source of water for South Florida’s agricultural industry.

The name comes from the Seminole word for “big water”. The lake is part of the Everglades system and is connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Caloosahatchee River and to the Gulf of Mexico via the St. Lucie River.

What are the Great Lakes?

The Great Lakes is not the name of a specific body of water, but refers to five interconnected freshwater lakes in North America.

These lakes are Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, which together make up the largest group of freshwater lakes in the world.

These lakes rank in the top 14 of the world by area. Lake Superior is the second largest lake in the world, containing about 10% of the world’s surface fresh water.

In addition, Lake Huron is the fourth largest lake in the world, and Lake Michigan is the fifth largest lake in the world. In addition, Lake Erie is the eleventh largest lake in the world, and Lake Ontario is the fourteenth largest lake in the world. Together, these five lakes hold about 84% of North America’s surface fresh water.

in conclusion

Lakes are an important source of freshwater for many communities around the world. In the United States alone, there are more than 123,000 lakes larger than 10 acres. These bodies of water provide drinking water, recreational opportunities, and support diverse ecosystems.

The country is home to some of the most fascinating and majestic lakes in the world, such as the Great Lakes and Lake Iliamna. These natural wonders attract millions of tourists every year and contribute greatly to the local economy through tourism.

In our article, we cover the top 10 lakes in the United States ranked by area, showcasing the vastness and beauty of these bodies of water.