Watertown Lakes

Lakes Close to Watertown

Every once in a while you just need to spend some time on the water. Fortunately, when you make a trip to Watertown there are quite a few options for spending time on the lake.

There are many brilliant motivations for making a trip to a lake in Watertown this summer – the cool water for swimming, enjoyable summer entertainment like paddle boarding, kayaking, or swimming. You’ll find that some lakes have beaches that are perfect for a relaxing day. Scan the local listings below to see the options including swimming lakes to larger lakes for you to enjoy.

Lakes Close to Watertown

Lake Activities

A quick excursion to a lake, or a longer trip offers an almost endless list of things to do for families, couples, or even those looking for some quiet time.

A day, weekend, or a week on or in the water offers you all the options from partying to restful bliss.

Get a little crazy with the water sports. If you’ve got access to a fast boat, why not get out on the water and start kicking up a wake showing off your water sports talents? Enjoy a day of tubing or skiing as the all sports lakes give you several options.

Catch some fish. For anglers, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a good fishing spot to help you have a relaxing day with a line in the water whether you’re out on a boat or tossing a line in from the dock.

Get in the water. Finding a swimming lake near Watertown will offer tons of fun for the kids, or plenty of exercise for those looking to be active in between working on their tan. If you want to spend time swimming and on the beach you’ll want to be sure your lake has a sandy beach and a designated swimming area prior to packing the car and the family! You know as well as we do that a swimming pool doesn’t offer as much to do as a glorious public beach!

Checklist for a Day at the Lake

A lake day itinerary can be drastically different depending on which lake you choose, the time of year, the weather, and your plan of attack. However, we’ve put together a list of popular go-to items for you to use as a checklist for your getaway.

Lake basics

When the plan is to be outdoors for the vast majority of the weekend, our list of provisions below should be a good place to start for essentials to have on hand.

  • Flip flops or water shoes
  • Swimsuits
  • Bluetooth speaker
  • Travel dinnerware and cups
  • Sunscreen
  • A beach blanket and umbrella
  • Cords and a charger for portable devices
  • Eye protection, a hat, or both
  • A cooler with water
  • Towels and dry clothes

More lake stuff

Depending on your planned activities at the lake and who will be in your entourage, the items below might also prove useful and worth packing prior to departure.

  • Wine key
  • Swimming goggles
  • Bait
  • Fishing gear
  • Diapers and baby gear
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
  • Books
  • Pool noodles, rafts, floats
  • Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
  • Paper towels and sanitizer

Lake Safety

While it’s easy to get lost in a fun day at a lake near Watertown, failing to follow some simple safety rules can make things turn tragic in a hurry. The following safety measures will ensure that you and your family remains safe while around the lake.

  • Make sure no one swims alone
  • Always wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding
  • Always wear sunblock
  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
  • Avoid drinking alcohol while boating
  • Keep children within arm’s reach at all times while swimming in deep water
  • Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft

More Watertown Lake Tips

Few people get a chance to make their way to the amazing lakes around Watertown and might have a few questions regarding planning. Of course, any body of water will possess their own character and trappings, but here are a few things to review while making plans which could help put together a trip your whole family will remember.

  1. Pay attention to the beaches. Early, mid, or late season, occasionally the beaches near Watertown can get extremely crowded. If you want a little more privacy, research multiple nearby beaches and lakes to learn about how busy they are to find one with a slower pace. To get in on the party, search out the biggest, most popular sandy party scene!
  2. No boat, no problem. If you’re near the water you’ll often find nearby marinas where you can rent a boat. You don’t need to own a boat to enjoy fishing with family and friends or taking the kids out for some wakeboarding or tubing. Asking a local can usually allow you to locate options for renting the perfect boat.
  3. Make the most of unique assets in the area. If there’s time for a longer getaway, find local state parks and recreation areas that offer the ability to stay near or even on the water for a reasonable price.