Chesapeake Lakes

Lakes Around Chesapeake

Every once in a while you just need to gather your family and friends and make time to be by the water. A lake getaway can be perfect for people who love wildlife too, because they offer opportunities to see birds, fish, turtles and other animals in their natural habitat.

It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to paddleboard, buzz around doing watersports, swim, or just lounge at the beach, the lakes near Chesapeake provide you with numerous opportunities for outdoor adventures. Take a look at the table directly beneath this paragraph to see your nearby locations from swimming lakes to larger lakes for you and the family to visit.

Nearby Lakes for Chesapeake

A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary

A day trip to the lake, or a more lengthy trip provides an almost endless amount of stuff for people of all stripes.

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

Go fishing. 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 drifting behind a trolling motor or tossing a line in from the dock.

Pack a picnic basket. Chesapeake’s lakes gives you the chance to visit many excellent picnic areas for you to pack up some foods, or a quick snack as you enjoy the view. Should you be with someone you want to impress, good food and a view should put a smile on their face.

Grab a board. If you like to paddle around, load up your preferred vessel and find yourself a lake with a boat launch and get out and enjoy the scenery on the waterfront.

Checklist for a Day at the Lake

Every day at the lake will have its own requirements based on the lake you’re heading to, when you go, what your goals are for the getaway. For your benefit, we put together a list for some ideas for your next trip to a lake near Chesapeake so you have everything you need!

Lake basics

For a day spent on the water it makes a lot of sense to bring some of these items to make sure you’re feeling good, healthy, and having fun.

  • Swimsuits
  • Insect repellant
  • Plates, cups and utensils
  • Trash bags (one for trash, one for wet items)
  • Radio or speaker
  • Sunblock
  • A blanket or sheet
  • Portable phone charger
  • Sweatpants and sweatshirt
  • Cooler, ice, beverages (always remember water!)

Additional lake stuff

Consider what you’ll be doing at the lake and what your party looks like, the items below might also prove useful and worth packing before you get on the road.

  • Rafts and floaties
  • Goggles or masks
  • Tackle box
  • Games for the beach
  • Bait
  • Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
  • Kindle
  • Fishing gear
  • Baby gear (if necessary)
  • Legal flotation devices

Staying Safe on a Lake

While it’s easy to get lost in a fun day at a lake near Chesapeake, it’s important that you remember to keep safety top of mind. Here are some general tips that should ensure that you and your family are always safe while around the lake.

  • Avoid alcohol consumption before swimming, as it can impair judgment and result in drowning
  • Have an escape plan for what to do if you get stuck on a boat that capsizes or tips over
  • Regularly apply sunblock throughout the day – following the product’s instructions
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Don’t swim alone
  • Avoid plants that can sting or cause allergic reactions
  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves

More Tips for a Lake Getaway in Chesapeake

Few people get the opportunity to make their way to the amazing lakes around Chesapeake and might have a lot of questions regarding planning. Of course, no matter where you go each lake will possess their own character and trappings, but it’s worth noting a few things to look into while planning which could help start your trip on the right foot.

  1. Research your beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, sometimes the beaches near Chesapeake can get very crowded. If you want more space to spread out, do some digging on a variety of lakes and beaches 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. Find a marina. If you’re near the water you’ll often find local marinas that offer boat rentals of all sizes. Just because you don’t own a boat to enjoy a day fishing on the lake or a wild day of wakeboarding. Doing a quick Google search will usually allow you to locate a marina that has what you need.
  3. Make the most of the best assets in the area. If there’s time for a longer getaway, look for local state parks and recreation areas which give you the option to camp in a spot that is right on top of the water for a reasonable price.