Merrillville Lakes

Lakes Close to Merrillville

When the weather is right you just need to pack up and find a spot on the water. Lucky for you, when you make a trip to Merrillville you have lots of options for spending time on the lake.

It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to paddleboard, buzz around doing wakeboarding, go for a swim, or just lounge at the beach, the lakes near Merrillville provide you with lots of opportunities for outdoor adventures. Browse through the data directly beneath this paragraph and see your nearby locations from small lakes to all sports lakes for you and the family to visit.

Lakes Near Merrillville

Lake Activities

A day trip, or a more lengthy getaway offers a nearly limitless list of things to do for people of all stripes.

Now we’ll run down a list of some of the best things to do when you make your way to a Merrillville lake:

Have a picnic. Merrillville’s lakes gives you the chance to visit all sorts of great picnic areas partake in the enjoyment of your favorite culinary delights, or you could just do some cheese and crackers by the water. For a romantic evening, good food and a view should be suitably romantic.

Grab a board. For those in search of some exercise, strap your favorite kayak or paddleboard to the top of your vehicle and chart your course to a lake near Merrillville with a public boat launch you can use and get out and soak up nature’s beauty on the waterfront.

Get a little crazy with the water sports. Should you be able to get access to a fast boat, you might want to have some fun and make a day of zipping around the lake showing off your water sports talents? Enjoy a day of wakeboarding, skiing, or tubing as the local lakes provide you with all kinds of choices.

Checklist for a Day at the Lake

Your plan for a lake getaway can vary quite a bit depending on the specific lake you’ll be visiting, the weather forecast, and the activities on your to-do list. For your convenience we’ve assembled a rundown of some of the most common lake and beach-related necessities that you can use as a checklist to make sure you cover your bases.

Common lake items

For a day spent on the water it makes a lot of sense to take along some of the items below to make sure you’re feeling good, healthy, and getting the most out of your getaway.

  • A sunhat or glasses
  • Food
  • Something to dry off with
  • Travel dinnerware and cups
  • Sweatpants and sweatshirt
  • Cords and a charger for portable devices
  • A blanket or sheet
  • Sunblock
  • Insect repellant
  • Bathing suits

More lake items

The list of items below might prove useful for trips to the lake depending on what you’ll be doing. It’s also worth checking prior to hitting the road.

  • Life jackets
  • Fishing poles, nets, etc.
  • Diapers and baby gear
  • Corkscrew
  • Something to read
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
  • Rafts and floaties
  • Paper towels and sanitizer
  • Worms or other bait
  • Licenses and registration for boating and fishing

Lake Safety

While it’s easy to get lost in a fun day at a lake near Merrillville, it’s important that you remember to keep safety top of mind. Here are some general tips that can ensure that you and your family stays safe at your favorite Merrillville lake.

  • Keep your distance from wildlife
  • Always wear sunblock
  • Stay close to shore and avoid areas with shallow water or where the current is strong
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Make sure no one swims alone
  • Have an escape plan for what to do if you get stuck on a boat that capsizes or tips over
  • Avoid alcohol consumption before swimming, as it can impair judgment and result in drowning

More Tips for a Lake Getaway in Merrillville

When you make a trip to the fabulous lakes near Merrillville, there are a few things that can make your trip plan far more successful. As an example, every individual lake is going to have unique features which makes it important to take into account what you need to make an unforgettable getaway when planning yours.

  1. Rent a boat. If you’re near the water you’ll often find nearby marinas where you can rent a boat. Just because you don’t own a boat to enjoy a relaxing day of fishing or taking the kids out for some wakeboarding or tubing. Using a search engine will usually allow you to find options for renting the perfect boat.
  2. Research your beaches. Depending on the time of year, sometimes beaches can get extremely crowded. To find some more peace and quiet, research a variety of lakes in the area to see if you can find one that’s less crowded to find one with a slower pace. If you want to be where the party’s at, then look for the biggest, most happening beach!
  3. Maximize unique assets in the area. If there’s time for a lengthier stay, find local state campgrounds and parks that offer the option to camp right on the water at an affordable price.