#98 of the LakePA 100 · Southeast
Minsi Lake
Northampton County · Southeast region · 117 acres
Quiet Water Checked Oct 2026
- Size
- 117 acres as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's lake page
- Boat traffic
- Quiet water: paddle craft and electric-motor boats only. As listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's lake page, checked Oct 2026.
- Permit
- PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here. Paddling rules →
- Dam
- This lake is held back by a dam. Stay well away from the dam, spillway and outlet structures.
Where to put in
Minsi Lake Access
Ramp · paved ramp
40.91240, -75.17433 (about ±50 m)
Parking: ADA Vehicle Parking
PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here.
Minsi Lake (east) access area
Ramp · ramp
40.91363, -75.16493 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
Run by Northampton County. Check its rules. (PA's launch-permit rule applies at PFBC and state park/forest launches.)
Minsi Lake (west) access area
Ramp · ramp, pier
40.91386, -75.17824 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
Run by Northampton County. Check its rules. (PA's launch-permit rule applies at PFBC and state park/forest launches.)
Access notices
No access notice on file (we last checked Oct 4, 2026). Check PFBC PA Lakes page before you go.
About Minsi Lake
Number 98 on the LakePA 100 is Minsi Lake, a 117-acre reservoir in Northampton County (Southeast region). The acreage comes from the Fish and Boat Commission's page for the lake. Gas motors are not allowed; you share the water only with electric-motor boats, so it counts as Quiet Water. That rule is as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's page for the lake. We list three put-ins, including Minsi Lake Access, Minsi Lake (east) access area and Minsi Lake (west) access area. Minsi Lake Access has a paved ramp. Launching at a Fish and Boat Commission or state park site requires a Pennsylvania boat registration or a PFBC or State Parks launch permit. A dam holds the water back, so keep well away from the dam, the spillway and any outlet structures. It counts toward the Southeast region milestone. As the crow flies, the closest put-in is about 22 miles from Bethlehem. Before you go, check posted signs, the weather and the operator's notices.
Rules for paddlers
Pennsylvania's paddler rules (permits, life jackets, whistle and light) are on one dated page. Paddling rules →
Safety
Paddling has real risks. Wear your life jacket. Pennsylvania requires it to be worn on canoes, kayaks and paddleboards from Nov 1 through Apr 30, and by children 12 and under all year. Check the weather, posted signs and the operator's notices before you launch. Stay well away from dams, spillways and outlet structures. You paddle at your own risk.
Nearby on the list
Straight-line distance between the lakes, not driving distance.
Questions about Minsi Lake
Where do I put in at Minsi Lake?
Minsi Lake has three listed put-ins: Minsi Lake Access, Minsi Lake (east) access area, Minsi Lake (west) access area. Minsi Lake Access is at 40.91240, -75.17433 with paved ramp; parking: ADA Vehicle Parking.
Are motorboats allowed on Minsi Lake?
Quiet water: paddle craft and electric-motor boats only. As listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's lake page, checked Oct 2026.
Do I need a launch permit at Minsi Lake?
Yes, at the Fish and Boat Commission launch: a Pennsylvania boat registration or a PFBC or State Parks launch permit is required.
Source: PFBC, “Registration vs. Launch Permit”, checked 4 Oct 2026.
How big is Minsi Lake?
117 acres, as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's lake page.
Sources
- PFBC lake page — checked Oct 4, 2026
- Fish and Boat Commission access map — checked Oct 4, 2026
- USGS National Hydrography Dataset — checked Oct 4, 2026
Every fact on this page comes from these public sources. Posted signs and official notices always control.
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