No matter if you are on a lake or a river, you need an anchor for your boat so you can prevent it from floating away.
However, a boat anchor for lakes is different from the one for rivers, and in one category, there are many anchors to choose from. The remaining questions are how you can choose the best boat anchor for lakes and where you can buy one.
Here are the best boat anchors for lakes (Apr 2024 Update):
- Best For The Rocky Bottom (Grapnel Anchor): Gradient Fitness Marine Anchor
- Best For Shallow Lakes (Grapnel Anchor): Crown Sporting Goods Galvanized Folding Grapnel Boat Anchor
- Best for small boats (Fluke Style Anchor): Seachoice Utility Anchor
- Best For Pontoon Boat (Fluke Style Anchor): MarineNow Deluxe Portable 8.5 lb Fluke Style Anchor Kit
- Best For Bass Boats (Mushroom Anchor): SeaSense River Anchor Coated (20 Lb)
- Best For Novice Boat Owners (Mushroom Anchor): Danielson Mushroom Pe Coat Anchor
- Box Anchor (Best for sand bottom lakes): Slide Anchor
- Best For Mud Bottom Lakes (Others): M1 Mantus Anchor Galvanized Plough
| 8 Best Boat Anchors For Lakes | ||
|---|---|---|
Best For The Rocky Bottom | Gradient Fitness Marine Anchor
| |
Best For Shallow Lakes | Crown Sporting Goods Galvanized Folding Grapnel Boat Anchor
| |
Best for small boats | Seachoice Utility Anchor
| |
Best For Pontoon Boat | MarineNow Deluxe Portable 8.5 lb Fluke Style Anchor Kit
| |
Best For Bass Boats | SeaSense River Anchor Coated (20 Lb)
| |
Best For Novice Boat Owners | Danielson Mushroom Pe Coat Anchor
| |
Box Anchor | Slide Anchor
| |
Best For Mud Bottom Lakes | M1 Mantus Anchor Galvanized Plough
| |
Best For The Rocky Bottom (Grapnel Anchor): Gradient Fitness Marine Anchor
- Quality is ensured – made in the USA & covered by a 90-day full-refund guarantee
- Easy and quick connections – include a stainless-steel snap hook, a PVC flotation buoy, and a 25’ 7mm-thick marine-grade rope
- Durable – made of rust-resistant materials
- The fitment of the ring that locks the claws could be better
The Gradient Fitness Marine Anchor is designed to be indestructible. Whether environments are rocky, muddy, weedy, or sandy, it’s always easy to use.
It’s proudly made in New York, the USA plus your purchase is backed by a 90-day money-back guaranteed.
While the whole product is crafted rust-resistant, it also includes a stainless-steel snap hook, a PVC flotation buoy, and a 25’ 7mm-thick marine-grade rope. This perfect combo is very useful for just floating around without having to worry about drifting.
When not in use, just fold it and store it away.
| Gradient Fitness Marine Anchor Specifications | |
|---|---|
Anchor Weight | 3.5 lbs. |
Material | Steel |
Highlight Features | made in the USA & covered by a 90-day full-refund guarantee include a stainless-steel snap hook, a PVC flotation buoy, and a 25’ 7mm-thick marine-grade rope rust-resistant materials |
The Gradient Fitness Marine Anchor is our favorite for the rocky bottom, as well as a budget-friendly model.
Best For Shallow Lakes (Grapnel Anchor): Crown Sporting Goods Galvanized Folding Grapnel Boat Anchor
- Dig in and keep you well-anchored in shallow lakes - four-prong grapnel structure
- Corrosion-resistant and weatherproof - galvanized steel material
- A bit hard to keep it open
- Not perform well where there is debris
For shallow lakes at around 2” deep water where rounded weighted anchors normally don’t hold in strong winds, the Crown Sporting Goods Store digs in and keeps you well-anchored.
You’ve got seven different weights to choose from, including 1.5, 3, 5.5, 7, 9, 13, and 17.5 pounds.
The four-prong grapnel structure makes it a perfect choice for short-term, inland use for those water spots with low current, no matter the bottom is full of gravel, stone, coral, or heavy weeds.
Another bonus is its indestructible construction made of corrosion-resistant, weatherproof galvanized steel material, which helps it last a lot longer.
| Crown Sporting Goods Galvanized Folding Grapnel Boat Anchor Specifications | |
|---|---|
Anchor Weight | 17.5 lbs. |
Material | corrosion-resistant galvanized steel |
Highlight Features | four-prong grapnel structure galvanized steel material |
The Crown Sporting Goods Galvanized Folding Grapnel Boat Anchor has been a dominant player in shallow lakes for years come.
Best for small boats (Fluke Style Anchor): Seachoice Utility Anchor
- Perfect for small boats – measure by 23.5 x 20 x 13 inches
- Easy to store – compact and lightweight design
- Easy to get unstuck from the bottom - the slip ring shank
- Welds could be better
Made of hot-dipped galvanized steel and measured by 23.5 x 20 x 13 inches, the Seachoice Utility Anchor is compact and lightweight enough for small boats within 28’-30’ in length.
The modest dimensions also help it easier to store someplace other than your anchor locker, like under the forward seating area.
While it is perfect to use when you need anchors fore and aft or are close to shore, the slip ring shank makes it get unstuck from the bottom easily.
| Seachoice Utility Anchor Specifications | |
|---|---|
Anchor Weight | 4.4 lbs. |
Material | Hot-Dipped Galvanized Steel or PVC Coated |
Highlight Features | measure by 23.5 x 20 x 13 inches weight: 4.4 pounds the slip ring shank |
Designed for small boats and featuring a released design that comes in handy if getting snagged, the Seachoice is a decent performance anchor, and it rapidly becomes a tester favorite.
Best For Pontoon Boat (Fluke Style Anchor): MarineNow Deluxe Portable 8.5 lb Fluke Style Anchor Kit
- High-quality – Hot Dipped Galvanized Steel construction & 316 marine grade stainless-steel rope thimble
- Perfect for 18’-20’ pontoons - The 8.5-pound weight and 21.5”x15” measurement
- Not perform well in windy conditions
- The chain is short
When we asked our friends who are also a pontoon boat owner “what is the best pontoon anchor for lakes?”, this option got the most suggestions.
The main reason is that it’s very functional while the price is a lot better than other comparable items. The 8.5-pound weight and 21.5”x15” measurement allow it to hold an 18’-20’ pontoon fine.
Quality seems great - Solid metal construction with hot-dipped black vinyl coating and 316 marine-grade stainless steel rope thimble.
| MarineNow Deluxe Portable 8.5 lb Fluke Style Anchor Kit Specifications | |
|---|---|
Anchor Weight | 8.5 lbs. |
Material | Hot Dipped Galvanized steel |
Highlight Features | The 8.5-pound weight and 21.5”x15” measurement Hot Dipped Galvanized Steel construction 316 marine-grade stainless-steel rope thimble |
If you’re in need of the best pontoon boat anchor for lakes without flattening your wallet, this fits nicely the bill.
Best For Bass Boats (Mushroom Anchor): SeaSense River Anchor Coated (20 Lb)
- Durable and well-made - Stainless steel with a vinyl coating
- Stick to mud-bottom lakes and rivers very well - combines the straits of flukes with mushroom anchors
- Easy to untuck when in need
- The coating is prone to come off
The MarineNow was greatly suggested by lots of pontoon owners when we asked them for the best anchor for lakes.
It’s well-made and easy to use. What’s worth mentioning the most is that it bites hard and doesn't let go until you drag it up. Particularly, it sticks to mud-bottom lakes and rivers with no drifting or worries.
Not to say that it is much cheaper than in the stores we’ve checked.
| SeaSense River Anchor Coated (20 Lb) Specifications | |
|---|---|
Anchor Weight | 20 Lbs. |
Material | Stainless steel with a vinyl coating |
Highlight Features | combines the straits of flukes with mushroom anchors Stainless steel with a vinyl coating |
For those who need a second anchor for their bass boats to stick the bottom like glue in rougher tides, the SeaSense is worth considering.
Best For Novice Boat Owners (Mushroom Anchor): Danielson Mushroom Pe Coat Anchor
- Affordable
- High-quality and durable - stainless-steel materials with rust- and the abrasion-resistant vinyl coating
- Offer highly sufficient holding power in the weedy and muddy bottom - wide-area mushroom cup
- Unable to resist strong winds
If you’re a novice boat owner, chances are that you are also looking for a quality yet budget-friendly anchor, right? For you, we highly recommend the Danielson Mushroom Pe Coat Anchor.
It is constructed of stainless steel materials with rust- and abrasion-resistant vinyl coating and weighs around 8 pounds, which appears to be a nice choice for lightweight boats and anglers of all ages.
The value and innovation driven along with wide-area mushroom cups offer higher sufficient holding power in the weedy and muddy bottom than others.
| Danielson Mushroom Pe Coat Anchor Specifications | |
|---|---|
Anchor Weight | 8 lbs. |
Material | vinyl-coated stainless steel |
Highlight Features | wide-area mushroom cup weight: 8 pounds |
Dependable, affordable, and high-quality, the Danielson Mushroom Pe Coat Anchor is our recommendation for novice boat owners.
Box Anchor (Best for sand bottom lakes): Slide Anchor
- Easy to use – no need for mechanical power from your boat
- Dig easily and stay firmly in the sand - unprecedented patented design
- Easy to retrieve – using the same principle works in the wind or current change
- Pricey
- The spray paint job needs to be better
Box anchors are designed for lakes and rivers with a sandy bottom.
It works well for 24’ cabin cruisers and 18’-30’ offshore/sport boats with no need for mechanical power from your boat. All you need to do is simply toss it overboard and leave it.
The construction is quite simple but thanks to the unprecedented patented design, it can hold itself at a 45-degree angle from the bottom to dig more easily and stay firmly in the sand without getting stuck on debris.
Regardless, it’s easy to retrieve and store.
| Slide Anchor Specifications | |
|---|---|
Anchor Weight | 15 pounds |
Material | Stainless steel |
Highlight Features | Compact storage Easy retrieval unprecedented patented design |
For sand bottom lakes, our testers love this anchor.
Best For Mud Bottom Lakes (Others): M1 Mantus Anchor Galvanized Plough
- Superior quality and durability - the sharp-headed nose, hot-dipped galvanized parts, oversized ASTM certified steel bolts, and more
- Reliable – backed by a lifetime warranty
- Expensive
Regardless of its minimalist construction, we’re pleasantly surprised that M1 Mantus sets faster and deeper than other counterparts, like Danforth, CQR, Bruce, and more. While setting with unparalleled holding power, it can penetrate dense grassy or heavily muddy bottoms like a champ.
The anchor itself appears to be decently sturdy, stronger, and safer with high corrosion resistance properties.
That’s a big thank you to the sharp-headed nose, hot-dipped galvanized parts, oversized ASTM certified steel bolts, welded shank, and shank boot, and high-quality steel plate.
A notable thing is there's absolutely no cast parts. Ah, it’s covered by a lifetime warranty!
| M1 Mantus Anchor Galvanized Plough Specifications | |
|---|---|
Anchor Weight | 8 Pounds |
Material | Galvanized stainless steel |
Highlight Features | the sharp-headed nose, hot-dipped galvanized parts, oversized ASTM certified steel bolts, and more backed by a lifetime warranty |
For the hands-down most outstanding value to be used on mud bottom lakes, look no further than the M1 Mantus.
How To Choose The Best Boat Anchor For Lakes?
Types
For lakes, you should get a boat anchor that’s wide, lightweight, easy to use, and operate in soft mud. There are many types of boat anchor for you to choose from with their own pros and cons:
- Fluke: Provide a lot of holding power, work well in the sand and mud, and stows the most easily. However, it struggles outside the sand or mud.
- Mushroom anchor: Perfect for lakes with much sediment, but not suitable for non-permanent moorings.
- Delta: Provide excellent holding power, but not suitable with rocks.
- Rocna/spade: Offer the highest holding power of all types, but also expensive.
- Bruce/claw: Work for most conditions but struggle in hard mud and clay.
Size
The size is one of the most important factors to consider. As a rule of thumb, a larger boat will need more holding power from the anchor. While a lightweight anchor works for most lakes, you should get an anchor with a weight corresponding to the weight of the boat.
Sandy bottoms require more holding power because they are harder to penetrate. On the other hand, mud botton is much easier to penetrate, requiring much less holding power.
If your boat is shorter than 16 feet, you can go with a 2.5lb anchor. If your boat is between 16 and 20 feet in length, you should get an 8lb anchor. And for a boat between 30 and 35 feet long, you need a 25lb anchor.
Which Brands Make The Best Boat Anchor For Lakes?
Seachoice
Founded in 1988, this brand has been offering high-quality marine hardware. Apart from the ever-rising quality standard, its products also come at reasonable prices.
MarineNow
This is another well-known brand in the marine industry. Here, you will find products of high quality, excellent performance, and ease of use.
Slide Anchor
This brand, founded in 1995, is known for its creative anchoring solutions, which revolutionized how people anchor their boats. If you want a highly innovative product, this is your go-to brand.
M1
Since its establishment in 2012, this brand has dedicated itself to creating innovative solutions to cruising problems. It offers high-performance and durable products for you.
FAQs
What type of anchor is used for lakes?
There are several types of anchors suitable for lakes, but the best one is either fluke or mushroom anchor.
Does a boat anchor have to touch the bottom?
Yes, the anchor has to touch the bottom of it and can't stop the boat from floating away.
How much anchor line should you use if the water is 20 feet deep?
When the water is 20 feet deep, you should use an anchor line that’s between 100 and 140 feet long.
Do you need a chain on an anchor?
Yes, a chain on anchor helps you set it faster and more reliably as it creates a downward pull on the handle.
How long should a boat anchor line be?
The length of the anchor must be based on the depth of the water, but it should be at least 7-10 times the depth.
Conclusion
We hope that this post has helped you figure out what to look for in the best boat anchor for lakes. Once you have decided all the important factors, it will be much easier and faster to buy the perfect anchor for your boat.
Bryan Listor
