Hattiesburg Lakes

Lakes Close to Hattiesburg

Sometimes you just need to gather your family and friends and make time to be on the water. Fortunately, when you visit Hattiesburg there are quite a few options for getting on, or in the water.

There are numerous brilliant arguments for a getaway to a lake in Hattiesburg this summer – the cool water for swimming, enjoyable summer entertainment like wakeboarding, fishing, or just relaxing on a raft. Some of the lakes in Hattiesburg have beaches you can enjoy while building sandcastles with the family. Browse through the local listings directly beneath this paragraph to see your options from swimming lakes to all sports lakes for you and the family to visit.

Lakes Near Hattiesburg

Things to Do at the Lake

When you visit a lake near Hattiesburg there are many things to do for families, couples, or with a group of friends. You could go for an exciting day trip or decide to stay overnight at a hotel on the beach to make the most of your time unwinding.

Let’s look at some of the options available to you when you make your way to a lake near Hattiesburg:

Partake in some water sports. If you’re able to get access to a fast boat, why not spend the day zipping around the lake showing off your water sports expertise? Enjoy a day of wakeboarding or knee boarding as the lakes near Hattiesburg offer you a number of options.

Pack a picnic basket. Hattiesburg’s lakes offer a wealth of top-notch picnic areas for you to pack up some portable delicacies, or you could just do some cheese and crackers by the water. For a romantic evening, this plan should be suitably romantic.

Fishing. For anglers, finding a good fishing hole shouldn’t be too hard to help you have a relaxing day with a line in the water whether you’re out on a boat or fishing from shore.

Checklist for a Day at the Lake

A lake day itinerary can be drastically different when you take into consideration which lake you choose, the season, and your plan of attack. For your convenience we’ve assembled a rundown of our favorite lake necessities for you to use as a checklist to make sure you cover your bases.

Lake basics

When you’re out on a lake near Hattiesburg it makes a lot of sense to take along many of these items to make sure you’re safe, healthy, and enjoying your time.

  • Eye protection, a hat, or both
  • Trash bags (one for trash, one for wet items)
  • Dry shirt
  • Bug spray
  • Something to dry off with
  • Cords and a charger for portable devices
  • Cooler, ice, beverages (always remember water!)
  • Plates, bowls, utensils, cups
  • Swimsuits
  • A beach blanket and umbrella

Specialty lake stuff

Consider what you’ll be doing when at the water and what your party looks like, the following items could make your day more enjoyable and adding to your checklist before you make the trip.

  • Legal flotation devices
  • Swimming goggles
  • Tackle box and lures
  • Worms or other bait
  • Books
  • Corkscrew
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
  • Pool noodles, rafts, floats
  • Paper towels and sanitizer
  • Fishing and boating licenses

Lake Safety Tips

Of course a day to your favorite body of water should be ample amounts of fun, you always have to keep safety in mind. If you’re going to be out on the water these are some extremely important tips for keeping everyone safe.

  • Keep children within arm’s reach at all times while swimming in deep water
  • Be aware of your surroundings and know where you are in relation to land
  • Always swim with a buddy
  • Always wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding
  • Use sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside
  • Don’t mix alcohol with swimming
  • Stay close to shore and avoid areas with shallow water or where the current is strong

More Ideas for Lake Fun

Not everyone has had the opportunity to visit the amazing lakes around Hattiesburg and likely have some questions about how to make the most of their time there. Clearly, each lake near Hattiesburg is going to have their own character and trappings, but it’s worth noting a couple key points to review when assembling your itinerary which could help you end up with a winning itinerary.

  1. Research your beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, occasionally the beaches near Hattiesburg might be swarmed with tourists. To find more space to yourself, 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, then look for the biggest, most popular beach!
  2. Rent a boat. 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 a day of watersports. Asking a local will usually allow you to locate several places that can hook you up with the right vessel.
  3. Make the most of unique assets in the area. If you have time for a longer trip, find local recreational areas, state parks, and campgrounds which give you the option to stay right on the water at an affordable price.