Owasco Lake

Owasco Lake is one of New York's Finger Lakes, an 11-mile-long glacial lake that runs from just south of Auburn down toward Moravia in Cayuga County. It's smaller and warms up faster than most of the Finger Lakes, so it's a favorite for swimming, water skiing and summer boating, with rolling farmland and lake cottages all along its shores and Syracuse less than an hour away. We offer the best boats, jet skis and water toys at Owasco Lake, ready and waiting for you right at the lake.

Owasco Lake Boat Rentals

Owasco Lake's long, straight shape and warm summer water make it great for water skiing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing and tubing, and calm mornings bring glassy water from end to end. Our Owasco Lake boat rentals include:

• MasterCraft wakesurf and wakeboard boats for family and friends
• Ski boat rentals for water skiing, slalom and tubing
• Tubes, wakeboards and wakesurf boards for every age
• Paddle boards and water trampolines for a swim off the dock and a lazy afternoon in the sun

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.

Owasco Lake Jet Ski Rentals

Jet skis are a fun way to cruise Owasco Lake's 11 miles of water, from Emerson Park at the north end down to the quiet south end near Moravia. 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.

Pontoons, Marinas and Boat Service

Owasco Lake has a public boat launch and boat slips at Emerson Park on the north end, plus a marina on the south end of the lake. We don't rent pontoons or service boats, but we offer surf boats, jet skis and water toys to go with your pontoon day or lake house stay.

Emerson Park

At the north end of the lake, Cayuga County's Emerson Park has a beach, boat launches and slips, paddle craft rentals, a disc golf course, picnic shelters and the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, a summer theater right by the water.

Auburn and the Finger Lakes

Downtown Auburn is just a few minutes from the lake, and the wineries, waterfalls and towns of the Finger Lakes are all close by. Fillmore Glen State Park near Moravia has gorge trails and waterfalls.

Fishing on Owasco Lake

Anglers fish Owasco Lake for lake trout, rainbow trout, smallmouth and largemouth bass, northern pike and walleye.

Getting to Owasco Lake

Owasco Lake is just south of Auburn, with Routes 38 and 38A running along its shores. It is about 40 minutes from Syracuse, about 45 minutes from Ithaca and about an hour and 15 minutes from Rochester, with easy access from the New York State Thruway. See all of our New York lakes.

Good to Know Before You Go

• New York boating rules: since January 1, 2025, New York requires a boating safety certificate for every boat and jet ski driver, whatever their age. Jet ski drivers must be at least 14, jet skis can only be ridden between sunrise and sunset, and our rental drivers must be 18 or older.
• Slow down near shore: New York limits boats to 5 mph within 100 feet of the shore, docks, rafts and anchored boats, and a line of buoys marks the slow zone along both shores of Owasco Lake.
• Life jackets: everyone on a jet ski and anyone being towed must wear a life jacket, and so must children under 12 while the boat is underway.
• Watch the wind: wind can funnel down the length of the lake and kick up waves in the afternoon, so mornings are usually best for skiing and wakesurfing.
• Book early: summer weekends and holidays fill up fast.

Lakes Near Owasco Lake

Looking for more Finger Lakes? Skaneateles Lake is just to the east, and Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake are to the west. Also try Conesus Lake near Rochester and Oneida Lake north of Syracuse. See all our New York lakes.

Owasco Lake Map