Largest lakes & reservoirs in Missouri by acres
There is no widely-accepted minimum surface area that defines a lake. What LakeLubbers describes as a lake, you might call a pond. Acreage of a lake (or sometimes square kilometers) is most often measured at the top surface area when the lake is at normal elevation. The surface area can be considerably smaller or larger when lake levels are lower or higher than normal. North America’s Lake Superior is the world’s largest freshwater lake by this measure.The other measure of a lake’s size is the lake’s water volume. By that measure, the world’s largest freshwater lake is Lake Baikal in Siberia.
You can find many of the world’s largest lakes (acres) on LakeLubbers in the comparison table below. Note: For some lakes, "Largest Lakes - Acres" data is unknown or does not apply, so you may see fewer lakes than the total 16 articles we have published for Missouri lakes.
Thinking about booking a Missouri lake vacation home rental, cabin or hotel?
Use our free interactive vacation rental map to search and compare multiple vacation properties at a glance. Enter a lake name, a state or city and then simply click on a listing to compare all similar properties, best rates and availability for your dates.Search results: Sort lakes by surface acreage
Below are lakes within USA > US Midwest Region > Missouri > Compared by surface area in acres. This list does not represent all lakes in Missouri, only the 16 Missouri lake articles we have published on the LakeLubbers website.
Lake name  |
Surface area in acres |
Lake description |
|---|---|---|
| Harry S. Truman Lake, MO (Central Missouri, Missouri, US Midwest Region, USA) |
55,406 ac | Also known as Harry S. Truman Reservoir, Truman Lake It looks a like a reel of film perched on a bluff; it is the visitor center overlooking Truman Lake. The round wall of windows offers a panoramic view … |
| Lake of the Ozarks, MO (Central Missouri, Missouri, US Midwest Region, USA) |
55,000 ac | Also known as Lake Ozark Painting plains of central Missouri a liquid blue, Lake of the Ozarks snakes its way through the landscape. Just 180 miles from St. Louis and 170 mile … |
| Bull Shoals Lake, AR/MO (Arkansas, Missouri, Ozarks Region, AR, Southwest Missouri, US Midwest Region, US South Region, USA) |
45,440 ac | Tucked in the Ozark Mountains, Bull Shoals Lake offers year round opportunities for relaxation and recreation. With over 45,000 surface acres of water … |
| Table Rock Lake, AR/MO (Arkansas, Missouri, Ozarks Region, AR, Southwest Missouri, US Midwest Region, US South Region, USA) |
43,100 ac | Branson, Missouri has the saying “Someone you love is playing here.” When you visit nearby Table Rock Lake, the person playing is sure to be you. With … |
| Stockton Lake, MO (Missouri, Southwest Missouri, US Midwest Region, USA) |
24,900 ac | Stockton Lake is a popular recreational reservoir covering 24,900 acres on the western edge of the scenic Missouri Ozarks. Though perhaps not as widel … |
| Norfork Lake, AR/MO (Arkansas, Missouri, Ozarks Region, AR, Southwest Missouri, US Midwest Region, US South Region, USA) |
22,000 ac | Locals describe Norfork Lake as “unspoiled, uncrowded, and unforgettable.” It is an apt description for this beautiful lake hidden in the Ozark Region … |
| Mark Twain Lake, MO (Missouri, Northeast Missouri, US Midwest Region, USA) |
18,600 ac | Mark Twain Lake spreads out over 18,600 acres in Ralls and Monroe Counties of northeastern Missouri. The lake and the 2,775-acre Mark Twain State Park … |
| Wappapello Lake, MO (Missouri, Southeast Missouri, US Midwest Region, USA) |
8,400 ac | Also known as Lake Wappapello Wappapello Lake is a Missouri gem, located in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in the southeastern region of the state. Although some larger Misso … |
| Pomme de Terre Lake (Central Missouri, Missouri, US Midwest Region, USA) |
7,821 ac | Also known as Pomme De Terre Reservoir One of Missouri’s lesser-known recreational destinations is Pomme De Terre Lake. Construction of this reservoir was completed in 1961, although it had … |
| Smithville Lake, MO (Missouri, Northwest Missouri, US Midwest Region, USA) |
7,190 ac | Smithville Lake, located in the City of Smithville in northwest Missouri, is a recreational wonderland. With nearly 7,200 surface acres of water, Smit … |
| Lake Taneycomo, MO (Missouri, Southwest Missouri, US Midwest Region, USA) |
2,080 ac | Boasting the best trout fishing in the nation, Lake Taneycomo is an irresistible lure for anglers. Add all the amenities and recreation opportunities … |
| Clearwater Lake MO (Missouri, Southeast Missouri, US Midwest Region, USA) |
1,630 ac | Shining in the middle of the Ozarks in southeastern Missouri, Clearwater Lake offers visitors more than 1,600 acres of water for boating, skiing, swim … |