Best Sailing Lakes in the East Coast
The Eastern United States has a plethora of beautiful lakes to visit. Florida alone has over 33,000 lakes, New York state has over 7,600, and Michigan not only borders four of the five Great Lakes, but it also has over 26,000 lakes larger than one acre. Keep in mind that every eastern state is included in this list. So, continue reading this article to learn about the lakes in the Eastern United States if you want to get out and enjoy some fresh breezes and relaxing waves. Follow me!
Eagle Lake, Maine
Eagle Lake is mostly located within 23,000 acres of Maine Public Reserved Land at Eagle Lake, in Aroostook County. It comprises 5,581 acres and has a maximum water depth of 136 feet, making it one of the most isolated bodies of water in the Fish River network. The lake’s eastern two-thirds are covered by Maine Public Reserved Lands and are only accessible by boat. The thin arm of water that runs between Eagle Lake and Plaisted sees the most foot traffic. Note that the best fishing time is soon after ice-out in May and around September, when surface temperatures are colder.
Sebago Lake, Maine
Sebago Lake, in Southern Maine, is home to wildlife, inhabitants, and visitors. The water is so clean, according to the Portland Water District, that it doesn’t require expensive filtration technology to transform it into drinking water. Sebago Lake is a renowned tourist destination due to its clean water and beautiful surroundings. With so much to see and do in the Sebago Lake area, you’re sure to discover precisely what you’re looking for on your sailing holiday. From locating the ideal place to stay to launching your boat or finding activities to do, there’s everything there!
Moosehead Lake, Maine
Moosehead Lake, Maine’s largest lake, is also the largest mountain lake in the entire eastern United States. Over 80 islands dot the 30,534-hectare lake, which is surrounded by Mount Kineo, which rises 200 meters above the water. The lake was called because of the area’s enormous moose population, which outnumbers people by three to one. In addition, when viewed from a bird’s eye view, the lake resembles the shape of antlers. Over 640 kilometers of the lake’s shores are bordered by towns and parks. There are a variety of lodging alternatives available, ranging from private cabins to camping areas, as well as year-round activities.
Lake Champlain, Vermont
This is the state’s largest lake and one of the whole country’s largest freshwater areas. Lake Champlain extends 170 kilometers north to south and 23 kilometers east to west. In addition, it flows north into Canada and west into New York. It has a 945-kilometer shoreline, which is home to communities, historic sites, and parks, as well as over 80 islands. Lake Champlain offers so much to see and do that you could easily spend a week here. Swimming, boating, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and picnicking are among the activities available at a variety of state parks along the lake’s shoreline.
Bomoseen Lake, Vermont
With a surface area of 960 hectares, this freshwater lake is the largest lake fully within Vermont. Lake Bomoseen is located on the state’s eastern border, with much of its western shoreline occupied by Bomoseen State Park. Aside from the state park, the lake offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including a public beach, boat launching, and marinas. Around 1,000 private mansions surround the lake, as well as a variety of excellent eateries. At Lake Bomoseen, you can go windsurfing, swimming, fishing, boating, and scuba diving, to name a few activities. If you prefer to stay on land can go hiking, camping, or animal watching.
Candlewood Lake, Connecticut
Candlewood Lake, Connecticut’s largest lake, is located just adjacent to Squantz Pond. This man-made lake, which is surrounded by five villages, is a popular summer getaway for locals. Because of its tremendous recreational opportunities, this lake is undoubtedly the most popular in the state. Swimming, boating, fishing, and boarding are some of the activities you can engage in there. Many people come to the lake to undertake scuba diving and see the 18th-century underwater buildings and pathways. Some people also come to jump off the 7.6-meter-high Chicken Rock into the ocean.
Mansfield Hollow Lake, Connecticut
The Mansfield Hollow Dam, which is located within the Mansfield Hollow State Park, forms this 180-hectare lake. Boating and other water sports, as well as fishing, are popular pastimes on the lake. Hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing are all options for those who don’t want to get their feet wet. There are also some lovely spots along the lake’s shoreline where you may stop for a picnic. Note that Mansfield Hollow Lake has only one boat access point.
Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire
The Lakes Region has New Hampshire’s largest lake, which is made up of several bays. More than 250 islands and numerous small inlets make up Lake Winnipesaukee, which is a popular tourist destination. The 460-kilometer-long shoreline of the 18,000-hectare lake is populated with towns, villages, and lakeside communities. Laconia is the lake’s primary commercial center and home to Weirs Beach, the lake’s largest beach. Many tourists stay at one of the lakeside resorts, inns, hotels, private cottages, or campgrounds for days on end because there are so many things to do at Lake Winnipesaukee. Canoeing, swimming, fishing, hiking, and skiing are just a few of the activities available.
Lake Sunapee, New Hampshire
Lake Sunapee is New Hampshire’s fifth largest lake and is wholly within the state. The 1,700-hectare lake is located in the western section of the state, at the foot of Mount Sunapee, and offers stunning views. Along the lake’s 110-kilometer shoreline, there are seven sandy beaches, six boat ramps, three lighthouses, and a private marina. The Lake Sunapee Yacht Club is located on the lake, and it holds the country’s largest unofficial sailing event. Mount Sunapee State Park is located on the north end of Lake Sunapee and offers a variety of recreational opportunities.
Chautauqua Lake, New York
Chautauqua Lake, at 1,308 feet above sea level, is one of North America’s highest navigable lakes. This 17-mile-long lake provides plenty of room for visitors to explore its underwater depths. There are also lots of sandy areas to spend your day with four public swimming beaches. And, you’ve come to the perfect location if you enjoy fishing. At one of the nearby marinas, you can also charter a boat if you don’t have your own. Prendergast Point, Bemus Point, and Long Point State Parks, as well as Mayville Lakeside Park and Lakewood, all provide public boat launching.
Cayuga Lake, New York
Glaciers created yet another lovely water supply a long time ago. Cayuga Lake is its name, and it is in the beautiful Finger Lakes region. Cayuga is the second deepest and longest of the Finger Lakes. It’s famous for activities like sailing, swimming, and fishing, but it’s also recognized as the lake that hugs Ithaca’s coastline. This approximately 40-mile-long lake provides plenty of room for visitors to get lost in. There are plenty of entry spots along the shore, so don’t worry about not finding one with your boat.
Lake George, New York
Because of its magnificent natural beauty, Lake George is a favorite destination for water lovers. The Adirondack Park and Lake George Village provide a variety of fun activities. The lake, however, is the area’s main draw. The lake is 32 miles long and covers around 28,000 acres. Boating is a popular hobby on Lake George due to its immense size, although the lake never feels overcrowded. Along the lake’s beaches, there are various marinas, launch sites, and rentals. Lastly, the tranquil islands are a wonderful location to unwind.
Lake Erie, New York
Lake Erie is the world’s 11th largest lake. The lake has a surface size of more than 9,900 square miles and a drainage basin of another 30,000 square miles, which is the fourth largest of the Great Lakes. You can enjoy traditional water activities such as boating, fishing, swimming, and kayaking above the surface. Skating, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, and snowmobiling take the role of summer activities in the winter. If you’re looking for a fun place to spend the day, consider visiting Lake Erie State Park. Camping, a sandy beach, a playground, a disc golf course, and several paths are all there for you to pick the activity you prefer the most.
Lake Cochituate, Massachusetts
Lake Cochituate is a lake that is made up of three ponds that are joined together and is part of the Cochituate State Park. It was once utilized as a reservoir for Boston, but it is now used for recreational purposes. Boating, swimming, sailing, and fishing are all popular summer activities in Lake Cochituate, which attracts many families. There are also fantastic walking routes in the neighboring park, as well as picnic sites and barbeques along the shoreline. The lake is located west of Boston in the municipalities of Natick, Wayland, and Framingham.
Lake Quinsigamond, Massachusetts
Quinsigamond State Park is home to Lake Quinsigamond, which is near Worcester. Note that only one of the eight islands in the three-square-kilometer lake is held by the government. Rowing is a popular sport on the lake, with events held on a regular basis throughout the year. Visitors to the lake can also enjoy swimming, sailing, and fishing. Quinsigamond Park is on the western shore of the lake, and there you will find most of the activities that can take place on land.
Deep Creek Lake, Maryland
The largest inland body of water in Maryland is also one of the state’s most popular tourist destinations. The 1,578-hectare lake is not only a terrific place for leisure activities, but it’s also incredibly beautiful, thanks to the forested mountains that surround it. Tubing, water skiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, and paddling are all available at Deep Creek Lake, which is the ideal place for water sport enthusiasts. It also has a total of 111 kilometers of coastline. The lake is also a great place to go fishing because it is home to a variety of freshwater fish.
Greenwood Lake, New Jersey
Greenwood Lake, which spans the state lines of New York and New Jersey, is more than 1,900 acres in size and offers spectacular views of the surrounding Bearfoot Mountain Ridge. The lake is known for being one of the best sites in New Jersey to catch bass, but it also has other fish species. The lake’s depth fluctuates considerably, although it is appropriate for both swimming and boating. Two public beaches are available on the New York side of the lake for visitors.
Burke Lake, Virginia
This 88-hectare freshwater lake is located within Burke Lake Park. The Fairfax County Park Authority owns and operates the lake, which is located near Fairfax. At Burke Lake, those who enjoy boating will find lots of water to explore. Boating, rowing, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and other activities are available. You can fish from the shoreline or the fishing pier if you don’t want to go out on the sea in a boat.
Nantahala Lake, North Carolina
Swimming, boating, and skiing are all popular lake activities in the Nantahala National Forest. Nantahala is a man-made lake that is on the smaller side of lakes. It was completed in 1942 and was originally built to provide electricity for wartime needs. Because the lake is man-made and surrounded by mountains, the lakebed quickly gets incredibly deep. Many different fish species, including panfish, can be found here. Whitewater rafting and kayaking are popular on the Nantahala River, which is located immediately below the river. The river activates when water is released from the dam, and it provides excellent whitewater conditions.