Saratoga Lake: getting on the water without a lake house

This guide is for residents and visitors who want to get on or near Saratoga Lake without owning a boat or a lake house. It covers how the lake is laid out, where the public access is, where to eat on the water and what to know about the towns around the shore.

The lake in brief

Saratoga Lake is about 4.5 miles long, about a mile and a half across at its widest and about 95 feet deep. It sits southeast of downtown Saratoga Springs. Kayaderosseras Creek feeds it from the northwest, and Fish Creek drains it from the north toward the Hudson River at Schuylerville. Route 9P runs along the south end and east side of the lake, then crosses the outlet on the Saratoga County Veterans Memorial Bridge and becomes Union Avenue heading back toward the city. Our Saratoga Lake neighborhood page covers living here.

Who owns which shore

The lake is shared by four municipalities: the City of Saratoga Springs on the northwest, the Town of Malta on the southwest, the Town of Stillwater on the southeast and the Town of Saratoga on the northeast. Many businesses and homes around the lake use Saratoga Springs addresses regardless of which one they are in. That matters for buyers checking taxes and schools, and for visitors trying to judge distances.

Getting on the water

You do not need to own a boat to spend a day on the lake.

Public boat launch

New York State runs a hard-surface boat launch off Union Avenue on the north shore. It is the public way onto the lake for anyone trailering a boat, and it gets busy on summer weekends.

Paddling

Kayaks and paddleboards work best early in the morning and in the evening, when powerboat traffic drops. Fish Creek, the outlet at the north end, is calmer than the open lake and is the traditional home of rowing on Saratoga Lake.

Boat tours

For a guided ride, Daley’s Adventure Boat Tours lists Point Breeze Marina at 1459 Route 9P as one of its departure points. Call ahead, since tour schedules are seasonal.

Rowing

Rowing on Saratoga Lake goes back to 1874, when the Rowing Association of American Colleges held its championship race here and Columbia won. The Head of the Fish regatta revived racing on Fish Creek in 1986 and has grown into one of the largest regattas in the country by number of boats. It runs in the fall, and spectators can watch from the banks of Fish Creek.

Fishing

The lake holds walleye, smallmouth and largemouth bass, northern pike, tiger muskie, black crappie, yellow perch and several kinds of sunfish. A New York State fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older. Ice fishing is common in winter when the ice is safe, but conditions vary widely year to year.

Eating on the lake

The north end, near the bridge and Fish Creek, has most of the restaurants.

• At 550 Union Avenue, Lago by Druthers took over the former 550 Waterfront space and serves pizzas, sandwiches and Druthers beer with a lake view, according to WNYT.
• On Grace Moore Road, The Hideaway at Saratoga Lake shares an address with Saratoga Lake Golf Club.
• On the east shore, Ugly Ice Cream at Brown’s Beach lists a Saratoga Springs address at 511 Route 9P, though Brown’s Beach is in the Town of Stillwater.

Golf near the lake

Two courses sit close to the water. Saratoga National Golf Club is at 458 Union Avenue, between the Northway and the lake. Saratoga Lake Golf Club is on Grace Moore Road. Book tee times well ahead in summer.

Safety and courtesy

A busy lake needs a little care from everyone.

• Route 9P has no shoulder along much of the east shore, so walking, running or biking there takes caution, especially in summer traffic.
• New York now requires a boating safety certificate for anyone operating a motorized boat. Check the state’s rules before you rent.
• Life jackets are required for children on boats and are a good idea for everyone in a kayak.
• Stay off the ice unless you know local conditions. Thickness varies across the lake.

Good to know

Many lake businesses shorten their hours or close for the season after Labor Day, and rentals follow the summer. Call ahead from September through May.

Know something we should add or fix in this guide? Tell us.