Grand Lake St Marys

Grand Lake St. Marys is the largest inland lake in Ohio by area, covering about 13,500 acres between Celina and St. Marys in Mercer and Auglaize counties. It was built in the 1840s as a feeder reservoir for the Miami and Erie Canal, and today it's one of the most popular boating lakes in western Ohio, with no horsepower limit and plenty of open water. We bring boats, jet skis and water toys to Grand Lake, so you can rent a boat near St. Marys or Celina and spend the day on the water.

Grand Lake St. Marys Boat Rentals

With miles of wide open water, Grand Lake is a great place for skiing, tubing and cruising with friends. Our Grand Lake St. Marys rentals include:

• MasterCraft wakesurf and wakeboard boats for family and friends
• Ski boats for water skiing, slalom and tubing
• Tubes, wakeboards and wakesurf boards for every age
• Paddle boards and water trampolines for a beach day

Rather have someone else drive? Book a private boat charter and our captain will handle the boat. Damage waiver coverage is available on every rental.

Grand Lake and Celina Jet Ski Rentals

Jet skis are a fun way to cover the big open water of Grand Lake, from Celina on the west end to St. Marys on the east. Most of our jet ski rentals can pull a tube, depending on the model, and guided rides are available. See our jet ski models to pick your ride.

A Big, Shallow Lake

Grand Lake is huge but shallow, with an average depth of only about 5 to 7 feet. That keeps the water warm early in the summer, but it also means you'll want to watch for shallow spots near shore. A 300-foot no-wake zone runs along the shoreline, so the open middle of the lake is where you'll ski, surf and ride. The wind can build waves quickly across all that open water, so mornings and evenings are often the calmest.

Boat Ramps, Beaches and Where to Meet

Grand Lake St. Marys State Park runs along the lake, with several state boat ramps, a campground and public beaches, and there are more ramps, marinas and lakeside restaurants around the shore in Celina, St. Marys and the towns in between. We'll confirm your meeting spot when you book.

Getting to Grand Lake St. Marys

The lake sits along State Route 703 and U.S. 33 in western Ohio. It's about 35 minutes from Lima, about an hour and 15 minutes from Dayton and Fort Wayne, and about 2 hours from Columbus. See all of our Ohio lakes.

Tips for a Great Day on Grand Lake

• Check lake conditions first: Grand Lake sometimes has algae advisories in the summer, so check current Ohio water quality advisories before you swim.
• Watch the wind: the lake is wide open, and afternoon wind can make it choppy.
• Stop for dinner by boat: several restaurants around the lake have docks.
• Bring sun protection: there's no shade once you're out on the open water.

Good to Know Before You Go

• Ohio boating rules: anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 needs an Ohio boater education certificate to drive a boat or jet ski with more than 10 horsepower, including rentals. Jet ski drivers ages 12 to 15 need a supervising adult on board, and our rental drivers must be 18 or older. Ask us before you book and we'll walk you through what you need.
• Life jackets: everyone on a jet ski and anyone being towed must wear a life jacket, and so must children under 10 on boats under 18 feet.
• Book early: summer weekends and holidays fill up fast.

Lakes Near Grand Lake St. Marys

About an hour east, we also serve Indian Lake near Russells Point. In southwest Ohio, try Caesar Creek Reservoir, and in central Ohio there's Buckeye Lake and Deer Creek Lake. In southeast Indiana, there's Brookville Lake.

Grand Lake St. Marys Map