Across the U.S., lakes come in every size and setting — from broad reservoirs to tiny, quiet basins tucked into forests, prairies, and mountain hollows. Those smaller waters often support distinct wildlife and local recreation, even if they don’t make the usual travel lists.
There are 20 Smallest Lakes in the U.S., ranging from Bower Lake to Twin Lake (North); for each entry you’ll find below State,Surface area (acre),Coordinates (lat, lon) — you’ll find below.
How are the smallest lakes defined and measured?
Most lists use surface area as the standard measure, typically reported in acres and based on USGS data, state agencies, or recent surveys; seasonal changes and ephemeral ponds are usually excluded, so listed figures reflect more permanent water bodies.
Can the public visit these lakes and how should I prepare?
Access varies: some lakes sit on public lands with trailheads or parking, others are on private property or remote terrain; use the provided coordinates, check local land access rules, and plan for minimal facilities and variable seasonal conditions.
Smallest Lakes in the U.s.
| Name | State | Surface area (acre) | Coordinates (lat, lon) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Echo Lake | Massachusetts | 0.25 | 42.2356, -71.5040 |
| Lake Placid | Florida | 1.40 | 27.9739, -82.7937 |
| Dollar Lake | New Hampshire | 2.00 | 44.9786, -71.4556 |
| Lilly Lake | Wisconsin | 2.00 | 44.3316, -89.0827 |
| Little Silver Lake | Wisconsin | 4.00 | 44.1353, -89.4976 |
| Schoolhouse Lake | Wisconsin | 4.00 | 44.5972, -88.7523 |
| Shadow Lake | Wisconsin | 4.00 | 44.3570, -89.0766 |
| Lily Lake | Minnesota | 4.60 | 44.9576, -92.9857 |
| Mud Hen Lake | Minnesota | 5.00 | 44.8093, -93.6847 |
| Mud Lake | New York | 5.00 | 43.1417, -75.0515 |
| Grassy Lake | Florida | 5.20 | 28.7846, -81.7645 |
| Corrine Lake | Minnesota | 6.00 | 45.1964, -93.5358 |
| Halfmoon Lake | Wisconsin | 6.00 | 44.6293, -88.7497 |
| Hatch Lake | Wisconsin | 7.00 | 44.5916, -88.7504 |
| Twin Lake (North) | Wisconsin | 7.00 | 44.3432, -89.1578 |
| Crystal Lake | Wisconsin | 7.00 | 44.4820, -88.9897 |
| Lake Of The Dalles | Minnesota | 7.00 | 45.4109, -92.7937 |
| Horseshoe Lake | Washington | 7.20 | 47.1687, -122.6865 |
| Manomin Lake | Wisconsin | 8.00 | 44.3313, -89.0764 |
| Bower Lake | Minnesota | 8.00 | 45.1916, -93.6063 |
Images and Descriptions
Echo Lake
Often cited as one of the nation’s smallest lakes, this tiny reservoir in Hopkinton is a headwater for the Charles River. Its size is documented by the Charles River Watershed Association and it serves an important local ecological role.
Lake Placid
Not to be confused with its famous New York namesake, this tiny Florida lake is located in an urbanized area of Pinellas County. Its water quality and surface area are monitored by the University of South Florida’s Water Atlas program.
Dollar Lake
A diminutive two-acre lake nestled in the Great North Woods region of Clarksville. This coldwater waterbody is classified as oligotrophic, meaning it has high water clarity and low nutrient levels, according to the NH Department of Environmental Services.
Lilly Lake
Located in Waupaca County, Lilly Lake is a seepage lake, meaning it has no inlet or outlet and is fed by groundwater. The Wisconsin DNR lists it as one of the state’s smallest named lakes at just two acres.
Little Silver Lake
Situated in Waushara County, a region known for its clear lakes, Little Silver Lake is a four-acre seepage lake. The Wisconsin DNR notes its excellent water clarity, a common characteristic of small, groundwater-fed lakes in the area.
Schoolhouse Lake
Located in Waupaca County near the town of Scandinavia, this four-acre lake is monitored by the Wisconsin DNR. It is a seepage lake with a maximum depth of 35 feet, making it surprisingly deep for its small surface area.
Shadow Lake
This four-acre seepage lake in Waupaca County is a classic example of Wisconsin’s numerous “kettle” lakes, formed by melting glacial ice. Data from the Wisconsin DNR confirms its small size and primarily groundwater-fed nature.
Lily Lake
Found in the city of Stillwater, this small urban lake offers shoreline fishing for panfish. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources actively manages its fishery and lists its surface area at just under five acres, making it a micro-habitat in a suburban setting.
Mud Hen Lake
This five-acre lake in Carver County is designated as a natural environment lake. According to the Minnesota DNR, it is very shallow with a maximum depth of only 4 feet, making it more of a wetland habitat than a recreational lake.
Mud Lake
Located in the town of Warren within Herkimer County, this aptly named five-acre lake is monitored by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. It’s a quiet, undeveloped waterbody typical of the region’s smaller glacial lakes.
Grassy Lake
This small, 5.2-acre lake in Lake County is part of a landscape dotted with thousands of lakes. Its characteristics are documented by the University of South Florida’s Water Atlas, which provides crucial data for managing Florida’s extensive freshwater resources.
Corrine Lake
At just six acres, this lake in Wright County is small enough to be highly susceptible to nutrient runoff. The Minnesota DNR notes its poor water clarity but also its use as a habitat for panfish and northern pike.
Halfmoon Lake
A six-acre seepage lake in Waupaca County, Halfmoon Lake has a sandy bottom and reaches a depth of 29 feet. Its water clarity is considered good, as documented by the comprehensive lake database managed by the Wisconsin DNR.
Hatch Lake
Also located in the lake-rich Waupaca County, Hatch Lake is a seven-acre seepage lake. The Wisconsin DNR database provides detailed information on its morphology, noting its relatively steep drop-offs for a lake of its size.
Twin Lake (North)
One of a pair of adjacent kettle lakes in Waupaca County, the northern Twin Lake is a seven-acre seepage lake. Data from the Wisconsin DNR distinguishes it from its southern twin, which is slightly larger and deeper.
Crystal Lake
This seven-acre lake in Waupaca County lives up to its name with excellent water clarity. According to the Wisconsin DNR, it is a seepage lake with a maximum depth of 38 feet, popular with locals for swimming and panfishing.
Lake Of The Dalles
Located in Chisago County near the Wisconsin border, this seven-acre lake is part of the St. Croix River watershed. The Minnesota DNR lists it as a shallow lake primarily used for aesthetic enjoyment and wildlife habitat.
Horseshoe Lake
This small, 7.2-acre lake in Pierce County offers a quiet fishing spot for rainbow trout and largemouth bass. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife manages its fishery, providing public access via a small boat launch.
Manomin Lake
Manomin is an alternate name for wild rice, suggesting this lake’s historical ecology. Located in Waupaca County, this eight-acre drainage lake is monitored by the Wisconsin DNR and has a maximum depth of only eight feet.
Bower Lake
An eight-acre lake in Wright County, Bower Lake is very shallow, with a maximum depth of only five feet. The Minnesota DNR monitors its water quality, which is impacted by its small size and surrounding land use.
