The United States of America boasts an extensive array of lakes, encompassing freshwater and saltwater, both of natural and artificial origins. These lakes have been classified based on their surface area and water volume and are inhabited by a profusion of fish and marine species, each possessing distinct attributes.
With an expanse of 82,103 square kilometers, Lake Superior proudly holds the title of the largest lake in the United States as well as the largest freshwater lake globally. On the other hand, Lake Huron, with a surface area of 59,570 square kilometers, claims to be the second-largest lake in the country.
The list comprises lakes that are of both artificial lakes and and natural origin.
| Rank | Name | Basin State | Area (km2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Superior | Michigan-Minnesota-Wisconsin-Ontario | 82,103 |
| 2 | Lake Huron | Michigan-Ontario | 59,570 |
| 3 | Lake Michigan | Illinois-Indiana-Michigan-Wisconsin | 57,757 |
| 4 | Lake Erie | Michigan-New York-Ohio-Ontario-Pennsylvania | 25,667 |
| 5 | Lake Ontario | New York-Ontario | 19,011 |
| 6 | Great Salt Lake (salt) | Utah | 5,483 |
| 7 | Lake of the Woods | Manitoba-Minnesota-Ontario | 3,846 |
| 8 | Iliamna Lake | Alaska | 2,626 |
| 9 | Lake Oahe (man-made) | North Dakota-South Dakota | 1,774 |
| 10 | Lake Okeechobee | Florida | 1,715 |
| 11 | Lake Pontchartrain (salt) | Louisiana | 1,634 |
| 12 | Lake Sakakawea (man-made) | North Dakota | 1,347 |
| 13 | Lake Champlain | New York-Vermont-Quebec | 1,269 |
| 14 | Becharof Lake | Alaska | 1,173 |
| 15 | Lake St. Clair | Michigan - Ontario | 1,140 |
| 16 | Red Lake | Minnesota | 1,106 |
| 17 | Selawik Lake | Alaska | 1,046 |
| 18 | Fort Peck Lake (man-made) | Montana | 1,018 |
| 19 | Salton Sea (salt) | California | 899 |
| 20 | Rainy Lake | Minnesota-Ontario | 894 |
| 21 | Devils Lake | North Dakota | 777 |
| 22 | Toledo Bend Reservoir (man-made) | Louisiana-Texas | 736 |
| 23 | Lake Powell (man-made) | Arizona-Utah | 650 |
| 24 | Kentucky Lake (man-made) | Kentucky-Tennessee | 647 |
| 25 | Lake Mead (man-made) | Arizona-Nevada | 640 |
