How many lakes really are in Minnesota?

Question

The license plates for Minnesota say there are 10,000 lakes in Minnesota but i heard there are more. Exactly how many lakes really are in Minnesota?

Answer 1

11,842 lakes of at least 10 acres. More, if you consider smaller bodies of water lakes.

By the way, Michigan also has more than 10,000 lakes. It has 11,037 lakes of at least 10 acres. Again, more, if you consider smaller bodies. Furthermore, Michigan has 38,192 square miles of Great Lakes water in its borders (Minnesota has just 3,416 square miles) so Michigan really trumps Minnesota in lakes.

Answer 2

one Minnesota site says 11,842

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/faq/mnfacts/w...

This site says 15,291

http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/history/mnst...

In any case, there are a LOT of lakes.

Answer 3

11,842

Answer 4

Minnesota . . . Land of 10,000 Lakes!