Lake George Boating Guide > Water Fun on Lake George

People have been drawn to Lake George, New York for years because of its breathtaking natural beauty. While the land of the Adirondack Park and the Lake George Village hold numerous exciting diversions, the great attraction of the area is the lake itself. Standing 32 miles long, with a surface area of roughly 28,000 acres, the activities available to enjoy a day on the water are as vast as the lake itself!

Because of the sheer area of Lake George, boating is a popular pastime, but rarely suffers crowding from its popularity! There are numerous marinas and launch sites dotting the western bank of the lake for easy access to the water, and rentals are available all along the shore. There is waterskiing and tubing for thrill-seekers, and many quiet islands to visit for quieter passengers. Some islands even allow picnicking or camping with an advance reservation. Yachts can be chartered for special trips, and there are regular races that any spectator may enjoy on land or on the water. For old-fashioned paddlers, canoeing and kayaking can make pleasurable trips through the open deep and the narrow shallows alike! And for boat lovers who feel a bit waterlogged, there are many boat shows on the shore to enjoy, including the favorite Antique & Classic Boat show.

Did you know Lake George was voted as a top ten destination to go fishing? The lake contains a two-story fishery of cold and warm water. Species found in the area include lake trout, landlocked salmon, the occasional rainbow trout, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and a variety of pan fish. Open water fishing lasts until the first freeze up in late November or early December. For the cold-blooded, ice-fishing begins with the complete freeze-up, usually in early January, and continues until March 15. Find Lake George fishing guides here >>

Personal watercraft such as water bikes and jet skis are available to rent, but be mindful of the rules: speed limits, area restrictions, and curfews apply. Nevertheless, even regulations cannot limit the amount of fun to be had speeding over the clear blue waters on a clear, beautiful Lake George day! Get regional fishing tips and find out where you can get Lake George boat rentals.

Other options of enjoying the water including taking cruises on the lake. There are a variety of different-sized cruise boats, such as the Adirondac and Horicon, which offer peaceful tours of the lake. Cruises offered include sightseeing, luncheon and dinner, fireworks, and entertainment cruises. Even more special are the steamboats of Lake George, the Minne Ha Ha, Mohican, and Lac du Saint Sacrement, all of which display the design and workings of authentic steamboats (the Minnie Ha Ha even has a paddle-wheel to propel it!). Lengths of the cruises and themes vary according to each boat, so you can spend anywhere from one toe five hours enjoying brunch, luncheon, dinner, pasta, pizza, fireworks, tours, or even special events like birthdays while gliding across a blue lake and admiring the scenery of the Adirondacks.

Check out a video on the Lake George boat cruises! From sight seeing, to dinner cruises, to firework cruises - watch it all here!

For those looking for a little excitement but unwilling to get wet, Lake George offers the unique opportunity to hang out 300 feet in the air above the water! Parasailing on the lake offers an exceptional view of the lake and its shores, alone or with up to three seats. No previous experience is needed, and instruction will be provided before the flight. After takeoff, parasailors enjoy the view for anywhere from eight to ten minutes and then land safely back on the power boat, never touching the water ? unless of course they want to! Of course, there are hundreds of other activities to enjoy in Lake George ? swimming in Million Dollar Beach, enjoying the attractions of the Village, and much more. Enjoy your visit to the ?Queen of the Lakes?!

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