Discover the Deepest Lake in Delaware

The eastern side of Delaware is on the Delaware Bay which feeds into the Atlantic Ocean. A sliver of the state also has coastline directly on the ocean. Here you will find the popular beaches of Rehoboth and Bethany. Delaware is surrounded by ocean, a bay, and the Delaware River, but what about lakes? Are there any lakes in this small state? If so, which one is the deepest? Read on to learn about the deepest lake in Delaware.

What Is the Deepest Lake in Delaware?

The deepest lake in Delaware is Millsboro Pond. You may be imagining a tiny pool of water with a handful of ducks and park benches, but this strangely named lake is actually quite large. It is located just off the Indian River Bay in southeastern Delaware.

How Deep Is the Deepest Lake in Delaware?

Millsboro Pond is 12 feet deep, which is fairly shallow. If you stood on your friend’s shoulders at the deepest point, you might be able to wave your hands above the water. Millsboro Pond is large enough for kayaking or canoeing, but at 101 acres and 12 feet deep, it is not a huge recreational lake.

Where Is Millsboro Pond Located on a Map?

Millsboro Pond is a body of water located in Delaware, USA. Specifically, it is situated in the town of Millsboro within Sussex County. To get there from nearby major cities such as Wilmington or Dover, one would need to take US Route 113 southbound until reaching the town of Millsboro. Once there, follow signs to the pond, which can be found off State Route 24 on Betts Pond Road. On a map, Millsboro Pond can be pinpointed at approximately 38°35’51″N and 75°18’16″W coordinates.

What Are the 5 Deepest Lakes in Delaware?

There are multiple lakes with a similar depth to Millsboro’s. These lake levels fluctuate based on rainfall and evaporation throughout the seasons. The five deepest lakes in Delaware are:

1. Millsboro Pond: 12 feet
2. Lums Pond: 10 feet
3. Records Pond: 10 feet
4. Silver Lake: 9 feet
5. Trap Pond: 8 feet

Can You Fish on Millsboro Pond?

The fishing on Millsboro Pond is actually decent and anglers can catch crappie, largemouth bass, sunfish, and perch. This lake can accommodate kayaks, canoes, and small boats. You can fish from the shore as well.

How Deep Is the Delaware Bay?

The deepest spot in Delaware Bay is 148 feet (45 m). The area just to the east of the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge is where the bay is the deepest.

How Deep Is Rehoboth Bay and Indian River Bay?

Rehoboth Bay is 6-7 feet deep with some areas being quite a bit shallower. The Indian River Bay fluctuates between 3-9 feet with most of the wetlands along the coast of Delaware being relatively shallow.

Are There Sharks in the Bays?

Yes! While most sharks stay out in the ocean, there are a few species that will make their way into the bays. Bull sharks, sandbars, smooth dogfish, and sand tigers can live in these brackish waters. Last year, OSEARCH researchers reported a great white shark all the way up near Slaughter Beach, just north of the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. The shark, which had previously been tagged by researchers to monitor its path, was 11 feet long and 900 pounds!

How Deep Can Sharks Swim?

Great white sharks can swim 10,000 feet deep. Researchers in a study of the abyssal regions of the world’s oceans found that they did not find any sharks lower than the 10,000-foot mark.

How Deep Is the Atlantic Ocean?

The Atlantic Ocean is 27,493 feet deep at its deepest point. Compare that to the 12-foot-deep Millsboro Pond and it is a little overwhelming.

How Does the Deepest Lake in Delaware Compare to the Deepest Lake in the US?

The deepest lake in Delaware is 12 feet deep; the deepest lake in the US is 1,943 feet deep! This extremely deep body of water is Crater Lake in Oregon. There are no sharks in Crater Lake. In fact, the only fish species that live in this Lake are Kokanee salmon and rainbow trout, which were stocked by the National Park Service. Crater Lake National Park is managed by the NPS, an organization that works hard to keep invasive species out of the lake’s crystal-clear water.

What Is the Biggest Lake in Delaware?

The biggest lake in Delaware is Shearness Pool, which covers 203 acres (three times bigger than the 101-acre Millsboro Pond.) Shearness Pool is located in the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge on the eastern side of the state. This is a key location for migrating birds in the Atlantic Flyway. Other wildlife here includes white-tail deer, bald eagles, herons, and bullfrogs. In the fall, thousands of ducks and geese pass through this region on their way south.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Yevgen Fedorenko/Shutterstock.com