Serenity at Payne Lake
Nestled between the 1000 Islands and the Adirondack Mountains you’ll find the friendly hamlet of Oxbow and the enchanting Payne Lake. Oxbow is part of the city of Antwerp, and its settlement dates back to the establishment of a tavern in 1803—clearly, the very first citizens of Oxbow were the welcoming sort. This community-focused attitude is preserved in the quiet town today, which makes Payne Lake the perfect place to rent a lake house for a peaceful getaway in a charming location.
Living on Payne Lake
Payne Lake is a glacial lake, sporting shallow depths and clear water. The surface area of the lake is 150 acres, and the maximum depth is only 15 feet. The 2.9 miles of shoreline are characterized by cliffs and small caves, and the wildlife population thrives in this location. While you are kayaking, canoeing, swimming, floating, or fishing on this lake, you are like to see many types of birds, including eagles, osprey, and loons. Motorized watercraft up to 10 horsepower are also welcome on the lake. This regulation makes for better fishing and a more peaceful lake environment for both the visitors and the wildlife. It also means that, when you rent a Payne Lake lake house, noise from the water is minimal, and the peaceful atmosphere is maximized. The rocky scenery surrounding the lake makes for unique and breathtaking vistas that you can enjoy from the comfort of your lake house living areas or deck.
Oxbow is a quaint community with old-world charm. With a population of just over 100 people, this is the very definition of small town. The city park surrounds a community gazebo, and the beautiful Oxbow Presbyterian Church sits at one end. Princess Carolyn Bonaparte Benton, daughter of the King of Spain Joseph Bonaparte, is buried in the churchyard.
Fishing All Year
Many people who rent Payne Lake lake houses come for the excellent fishing. A state-maintained boat launch on the western end of the lake makes it easy to get your craft into the water. Largemouth bass and tiger muskie grow to trophy size here, with the bass regularly measuring over 20 inches and the muskie sometimes topping 33. Yellow perch can be caught year-round, and walleye are also present (but uncommon). If you head to Payne Lake in the winter for ice fishing, northern pike and panfish can be pulled up.
Hiking the Trails
Pulpit Rock State Forest borders the entire western edge of the lake, preserving a beautifully natural setting that lake-goers can enjoy for generations to come. The park takes its name from a rock formation that traveling clergy used as a podium to preach to pioneers. Today, this state reforestation area covers 1,600 acres of a granite plateau, ending in a 100-foot cliff that drops to Payne Lake. Two short trails wander through the forest, and hikers are likely to see white-tailed deer, turkey, or even bobcats.
Tasting Local Flavor
If you have a passion for fine wine, you’re in luck. When you rent a Payne Lake lake house, you are only a short drive away from Venditti Vineyards in Theresa to the west. This vineyard is one of only 10 in New York to receive the prestigious “double gold” medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. When you visit Venditti, you can walk through the vineyard, tour the wine making area, and enjoy samples in the wine tasting room. On Friday evenings, there are live music events in the vineyard. You’ll want to pick up an extra bottle or two of the your favorite wine to enjoy back at your lake house as you watch the sunset over the water.
You won’t find a quieter town or a more serene lake for your next vacation than Payne Lake. Rent a Payne Lake lake house for your next lake getaway.
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