Top 10 Largest Freshwater Lakes in the World

The world’s largest freshwater lake is Lake Superior. It is one of the 10 largest freshwater lakes including Lake Superior, Lake Victoria, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Baikal, Great Bear Lake, Lake Malawi, Great Slave Lake, and Lake Erie. Most of the drinkable water in the world is obtained through freshwater lakes. These freshwater lakes have special features and differ in their areas, depth, locations, and bordering countries.

In this article, we are going to learn about the top 10 largest freshwater lakes in the world in detail.

List of 10 Largest Freshwater Lakes in the World

10 Largest freshwater lakes in the world (area-wise) are as follows:

Lakes	Area	Average Depth	Location
Lake Superior	82,103 sq. km	147 m	North America
Lake Victoria	59,947 sq. km	41 m	Africa
Lake Huron	59,588 sq. km	59 m	North America
Lake Michigan	58,030 sq. km	85 m	North America
Lake Tanganiyika	32,900 sq. km	570 m	Africa
Lake Baikal	31,722 sq. km	744.4 m	Asia
Greate Bear Lake	31,153 sq. km	71.7 m	North America
Lake Malwai	29,600 sq.km	295.2 m	Africa
Great Slave Lake	27,200 sq. km	41 m	North America
Lake Erie	25,667 sq. km	19 m	North America

Let’s learn about each of them in some detail.

Lake Superior

• Area: 82,103 sq. km
• Maximum Depth: 406m
• Average Depth: 147m
• Maximum width: 260km
• Length: 560 km
• Location: North America

Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world. It is the 3rd largest freshwater lake by volume in the world. Lake Superior is situated at the extreme end of northwest end of Great lake Chain covering the Canadian province of Onterio to US states Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan upper peninsula. Many island such as Slate Island, Isle Royale, Michipicoten island are located within this lake

Lake Victoria

• Area: 59,947 sq. km
• Maximum Depth: 81 m
• Average Depth: 41 km
• Maximum Width: 337km
• Length: 359 km
• Location: Africa

Lake Victoria is the second largest freshwater lake in the world. It is the biggest tropical lake in African continent. This lake covers Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. Lake Victoria named after the queen of england Queen Victoria is the main reservoir of river Nile. Islands like Rusinga, Ukerewe, Mabako etc. are located in this lake.

Lake Huron

• Area: 59,588 sq. km
• Maximum Depth: 229 m
• Average Depth: 59 km
• Maximum Width: 295 km
• Length: 332 km
• Location: North America

Lake Huron is the third largest freshwater lake in the world. This lake is situated in east of lake MIchgan-Huron passing through US to Canada province of Ontorio. World largest freshwater island Manitoulin Island is located in this lake.

Lake Michigan

• Area: 58,030 sq. km
• Maximum Depth: 281 m
• Average Depth: 85 km
• Maximum Width: 190 km
• Length: 494 km
• Location: North America

Lake Michgan covers the western part of Michigan-Huran and located entirely within the boundaries of US. Straits of Mackinac connects Lake Mighan with Lake Huron. Island such as Drummond Island, Bois Blanc, Isle Royale located in this lake.

Lake Tanganyika

• Area: 32,900 sq. km
• Maximum Depth: 1470 m
• Average Depth: 570km
• Maximum Width: 72 km
• Length: 673 km
• Location: Africa

Lake Tanganyika is the longest freshwater lake in the world and is an African Great Lake. It is known as the second largest freshwater lake in the world by its volume and is also the second oldest freshwater lake. Some islands like Kavala, Kayenda, Milima and Kumbula are located in Lake Tanganyika.

Lake Baikal

• Area: 31,722 sq. km
• Maximum Depth: 1642 m
• Average Depth: 744.4km
• Maximum Width: 72 km
• Length: 673 km
• Location: Africa

This lake is situated in the south of Siberia to Russia’s Irkstuk Oblast in northwest and Buryat ReplublicIn terms of volume, Lake Baikal is the biggest freshwater lake in the world and accounts approximately 23% of the freshwater of the entire planet. UNESCO has termed Lake Baikal as a World Heritage Site in 1996 (UNESCO, 2024). There are approximately 45 islands located in Lake Baikal and 300 rivers flow into the lake.

Great Bear Lake

• Area: 31,153 sq. km
• Maximum Depth: 446m
• Average Depth:77.1 km
• Maximum Width: 175 km
• Length: 320 km
• Location: North America

This lake is situated in Northwest Territories, Canada, lying around artic circle. This lake gets covered with ice from November to July and is known as one of the most clear lakes. The main settlements on this lake are localities of Echo and Sawmills bay and trading post of Fort Franklin.

Lake Malawi

• Area: 29,600 sq. km
• Maximum Depth: 706m
• Average Depth:292 km
• Maximum Width: 75 km
• Length: 580 km
• Location: Africa

This lake is situated in Tanzania-Mozambique- Malwai Border. This lake is very populated. Likoma island which is a mission headquarters covered halfway of this lake. Some of the rare species of fishes are found in Lake Malawi. Commercial fishery in this lake is the mainstream source of living.

Great Slave Lake

• Area: 27,200 sq. km
• Maximum Depth: 614m
• Average Depth:41 km
• Maximum Width: 203 km
• Length: 469 km
• Location: North America

Great Slave lake is situated the northwest border of the country. It is the deepest lake in North America and second largest lake in Canada. This lake has the clearest water which make it quite famous. Fishery in this lake has supported the lives of the villages nearby. In winter this lake freese and used as ice highway linking the territorial capital Yellowknife and other region.

Lake Erie

• Area: 25,667 sq. km
• Maximum Depth: 64m
• Average Depth:19 km
• Maximum Width: 92 km
• Length: 388 km
• Location: North America

This shallow water lake is covers the area of Canadian province of Ontario and Us states of Michigan, Ohio, Pennysilvia and New York. the largest island in this lake is Pelee Island. The industrial economy around the shore depend on water transportation. Due to intense pollution of this lake in 1960, many resorts and beaches around this lake has been closed.

Conclusion

The largest freshwater lakes in the world are home for various flora and fauna.Also it is very evident that the deepest freshwater lake is not the largest freshwater lake. Many island livelihood are dependent on mainstream fishery. These lake supports the nearby industries. Being the source of 1.2% available drinkable water on earth, it is very important that these lakes need to be taken care of.

FAQ on 10 largest Freshwater lakes in the World

Which is the largest lake in the world by volume?

Lake Baikal, situated in Russia, is the largest lake by volume in the world.

Which is the 11th largest freshwater lake in the world?

The 11th largest freshwater lake in the world is Lake Winnipeg, situated in Canada, extended from north to south.

Which is the smallest lake in the world?

The smallest lake in the world is Benxi Lake of China. It is 15 sq.m large only.

Which country has most of the lakes in the world?

Canada has most of the lakes in the world, consisting 8,79,800 lakes.

Which is the largest lake in the world?

The Caspean Sea is the largest lake in the world. It is so huge that it can effect the climate of USA. Also it is a big support to the industries and culture. Area of this lake is 371,000 sq.km. It has both saltwater and freshwater.