Otsego Lake, New York, USA

Proclaimed to be one of the prettiest lakes in New York, Otsego Lake is loved by the residents who live there and those lucky enough to have visited. The lake has been immortalized by the author James Fenimore Cooper who based the setting of several of his novels at the lake he fictionalized as Glimmerglass Lake. Otsego Lake was formed thousands of years ago by glaciers carving…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Otsego Lake! Article topics include:

Looking for Otsego Lake cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a small referral fee at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.

Explore Area Hotels

Nearby offer more hotel accommodations:

  • Check TripAdvisor
  • Check Expedia
  • Check Hotels.com
  • Check Booking.com

    • All About Otsego Lake, NY

    Lake Locations: USA - US Mid-Atlantic Region - New York - Central-Leatherstocking Region, NY -

    Proclaimed to be one of the prettiest lakes in New York, Otsego Lake is loved by the residents who live there and those lucky enough to have visited. The lake has been immortalized by the author James Fenimore Cooper who based the setting of several of his novels at the lake he fictionalized as Glimmerglass Lake.

    Otsego Lake was formed thousands of years ago by glaciers carving through the land and reaches a maximum depth of 160 feet. With views of forests and mountains this lake is a great family lake for boating, tubing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, sailing, kayaking, and canoeing. Well groomed beach and swimming areas for relaxing and watching the lake activity make the lake an inviting place to spend a few days. Nearby marinas and launching ramps provide easy access to this great lake. Fishing is fantastic with large populations of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, brown bullhead, cisco, Atlantic salmon, lake trout, chain pickerel, pumpkinseed, rock bass, walleye, lake whitefish, yellow perch and brown trout. Fishing guides and charters are available locally to ensure that your fishing trip ends with a memorable catch. During the cold frozen winter months, Otsego Lake is still a great playground with ice skating, snowshoeing, ice fishing, snowmobiling and winter hiking trails.

    At the southern end of the lake is the town of Cooperstown, known for the Baseball Hall of Fame. Cooperstown residents are fortunate to realize that Otsego Lake makes their town the perfect place to live. Residents who live along the lake front proudly maintain their homes and gardens to show their many visitors the beauty of their chosen hometown. The lake shoreline is well groomed to prevent erosion, and housing communities that dot the shore choose careful architecture to blend with the beauty and to preserve the lake. Real estate opportunities are available for those who wish to make their visit a permanent move.

    Throughout the area, vacation rentals are available for a wide range of budgets. Campgrounds at Otsego Lake’s Glimmerglass State Park provide basic camping but nearby are bed and breakfasts, cozy inns, vacation homes, and motels. The lake front is a great place to stroll through Cooperstown as you visit the quaint shops, historic homes, waterside dining, and of course the Hall of Fame.

    If you desire more beauty and attractions, Otsego Lake is located in the Central Leatherstocking Tourism Region of New York. Leatherstocking is in reference to James Fenimore Cooper’s fictional character who roamed the area in Cooper’s books. In this region, visitors can explore underground caverns, picnic by a sparkling waterfall, visit historic villages or relax and be spoiled at a spa. With vacation rentals to fit most budgets from camping, country inns, cabins, bed and breakfasts, and all inclusive lodges your visit can be as grand as you plan.

    A great lake with a wide range of attractions is a perfect vacation choice. Why don’t you choose Otsego Lake soon?

    Things to Do at Otsego Lake

    These are some activities in the Otsego Lake, NY area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Ice Fishing
    • Boating
    • Sailing
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Canoeing
    • Kayaking
    • Water Skiing
    • Wakeboarding
    • Tubing
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Picnicking
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Hiking
    • Ice Skating
    • Snowmobiling
    • Snowshoeing
    • Waterfall
    • State Park
    • Playground

    What Kind of Fish Are in Otsego Lake?

    Otsego Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Bluegill
    • Brown Bullhead
    • Brown Trout
    • Chain Pickerel
    • Cisco
    • Lake Trout
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Perch
    • Pickerel
    • Pike
    • Pumpkinseed
    • Salmon
    • Smallmouth Bass
    • Sunfish
    • Trout
    • Walleye
    • Whitefish
    • Yellow Perch
    divider

    Find Places to Stay at Otsego Lake

    If you’re considering a Otsego Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Otsego Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Otsego Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

    Check TripAdvisor
    Check Expedia
    Find a Campspot
    All Travel Resources

    Otsego Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

    divider

    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Dammed

    Water Level Control: Department of Environmental Conservation

    Surface Area: 4,046 acres

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 1,191 feet

    Average Depth: 82 feet

    Maximum Depth: 165 feet

    Trophic State: Mesotrophic

    Otsego Lake Map
    Local Weather Forecast

    We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

    Shop Otsego Lake Gifts

    Custom Lake Tumblers

    Create Your Own Captain / First Mate Custom 20oz Tumbler

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake T Shirt

    Create Your Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

    Create a Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

    ORDER HERE
    VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

    More Otsego Lake news from LakeLubbers.com

    • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
    • The Otsego Lake forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
    • New Otsego Lake photos coming soon!
    • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
    • Share this Otsego Lake article with your fellow LakeLubbers: