Known as the “Queen of American Lakes”, Lake George is one of the cleanest lakes in America. It’s 32 miles long and 2.5 miles across at its widest point with an average depth of 70 feet. The calm waters of the many bays are ideal for kayaking and discovering Lake George’s unique marine life.
Common Lake George Wildlife
Lake George is home to a unique population of fish, plants and wildlife, including many varieties of fish, mammals, reptiles and even a mythical monster.
Fish
Lake George is a renowned fishing destination, best accessed by kayak. Here, you’ll found lake trout, salmon, rainbow smelt, brown bullhead, black crappie and northern pike, as well as smallmouth and largemouth bass, yellow perch and pumpkinseeds. In fact, there are more 36 species of fish in the Lake George watershed.
Mammals
Fish make up just a small part of the Lake George ecosystem. Beavers, minks, river otters, weasels, and muskrats can all be found sharing the waters. Other common inhabitants of the Lake George watershed include raccoon, white-tailed deer, coyotes, skunks, porcupines, red and gray fox, bobcats, fishers and black bear.
Birds
It’s not uncommon to see a variety of birds while paddling Lake George. Some species stay year-round, while others visit briefly for breeding and migrating. Keep an eye out for the common loon, herring gulls, the peregrine falcon, the great blue heron, and if you’re lucky, a bald eagle. Lake George is also a stopover for migrating waterfowl, like Canadian geese, mallard ducks and common mergansers.
Reptiles & Amphibians
Lake George is abundant with reptiles and amphibians, including snapping turtles, bullfrogs, salamanders and ten documented species of snakes. The most dangerous snake in Lake George is the timber rattlesnake. Ranging in color from yellow to black, this threatened species of snake can occasionally be seen swimming in the water, but prefers the rocky areas near forests.
Mythical Creatures
The Lake George Monster, known lovingly as “Georgie”, was purportedly sighted at Hague Bay in Lake George in the early 1900s. With his black-and-yellow striped head, four big teeth and blue donkey-like ears, Georgie was nothing short of mythical. However, he turned out to be a hoax created by painter Harry Watrous to prank newspaper editor Colonel William Mann, with whom he had a fishing bet.
Discover Marine Life While Kayaking on Lake George
The best way to see Lake George’s unique marine life is on the water. Kayak Lake George provides single and double kayaks, standup paddleboards and paddle boats for exploring the lake. We are located at Shore Meadows Lodge in Lake George Village, and are open daily from May through September. Walk-ins are always welcome.