Welcome to the

Star Lake Protective Association

The SLPA has been dedicated to the preservation of Star Lake since 1901.

The Star Lake Protective Association's mission is "to promote the protection and improvement of Star Lake and the surrounding property and environment". We are a non-regulatory, non-profit organization which conducts meetings twice a year and sponsors recreational events and activities for lake residents and visitors. See About the SLPA for more information.

Star Lake, located in northern New York State, is a small, pristine lake situated in the western foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. Star Lake shares its borders with a hamlet of the same name. About half of its lake residents live here year-round in winterized homes, enjoying four true "north country" seasons. Others come to Star Lake on vacations, week-ends or "for the summer" to visit their vacation cottages, some of which are well over 100 years old, built in the true Adirondack camp fashion. All enjoy the cool, crystal-clear lake water in a great variety of ways. Fishing, swimming, and all types of water sports and boating are popular. There is a Star Lake Regatta every year for sailing enthusiasts. Canoes and kayaks are in abundance. Many consider their "rafts" the vehicle of choice as they slowly motor around the lake in relative luxury and comfort. Motor boats and jet skis are also popular for tubing, knee boarding and water skiing. No matter what your favorite watercraft, you can enter the annual Poker Run. Star Lake has a sandbar that has been referred to as the "village green," where Star Lakers get together to socialize. There is something for everyone on this very special little lake.

This site was developed in March, 2007 and is constantly evolving as new new content is being planned and articles are revised. You are invited to browse around and come back often for updated or new information. If you are a member, look for Association news, particularly in the Members' Area (you will need to be a member with a username and password). If you are not a member, please consider joining us in our endeavor to keep Star Lake beautiful, clean and safe for all to enjoy for generations to come. Please feel free to use the multi-purpose Feedback form to comment on the site or ask for information.

Two Loon Injuries in One Week! Read about them in the Members' Area (Username and Password Required)

8/28/2023 Another Sad Day...Yesterday, it was reported that an adult loon was acting sickly and had beached itself, indicating that it was in distress. On closer inspection, it was the loon initially rescued and tagged. Today, it was captured to be treated by Dr. Nina Schock and crew from the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation; but sadly, it did not survive the trip to Saranac Lake. Necropsy (cause of death) reports can be seen here. (Username and Password Required)

7/18/2023 It's a Very Sad Day on Star Lake. One of the baby loons was found dead next to our dock. It was last seen alive yesterday. It is not clear whether the sibling attacked it, another predator killed it, or it got hit by a boat. Its body will be sent to the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation for examination.

One Member's Rant Regarding the Loon Injuries... It goes without saying that all this drama and suffering is the result of human carelessness. I am spitting nails as I observe the careless, reckless operation of jet skis by mostly young and too-young drivers who apparently lack the mental maturity to watch where they are going and can't think of others because they are so wrapped up in their own fun. I'm sick to death watching these machines barreling into narrow bays around the lake that clearly are 5 mph/no wake areas where people are swimming. I'm livid when I see a jet ski going around in circles, jumping its own wake, when there are people nearby in canoes or kayaks, or loons or ducks swimming nearby. I hate seeing tubers or water skiers with or without spotters when the driver is turned around watching the tuber or skier instead of watching where they are going. We own a jet ski, but it does none of those things. It's not the machines' fault. I'm clearly talking about operator error. It's the result of human carelessness, disregard for the law and disrespect for the Lake!

C'mon folks. Respect the lake and ALL its residents. Educate yourselves as to the laws and rules of the lake. Then, supervise and educate your kids. Show some empathy for those who just want to quietly enjoy the lake. Read about how to behave around loons here. And, "if you see something, say something". --Bo R.

It's Ice-Out, 4/13/2023! April started with mild, breezy days in the 60's--conditions ripe for ice-melting.

4/10/23 A beautiful sunny warm 7-day forecast provided us hope for a quick ice-out. Ice had receded around the shoreline and during the day, it became darker and more open water became visible.

4/12/23 Ice was becoming very dark, showing the results of some very warm (for here) temperatures and a light breeze. More and more open water appeared as the day went on, but there still was significant ice on third lake, in the middle. Maybe tomorrow?

4/13/23 It's officially "ice-out" when a raft can make it to and through the cut. So, we can say the ice was out on 4/13/2023. Team Sovay/Ritchings made our first attempt at the crossing around 10 am; but failed due to the thickness of the ice around the cut. We decided to retreat for a couple of hours, have lunch and try again later. By 11:45, we tried again and this time, it was clear sailing through the cut.

Let the 2023 lake season begin!

Click a picture for a larger view; click the browser's "back" button to return.


4/13/2023, 1:42 pm The south end of 3rd lake has the most ice left. Most of the lake is open.	4/13/2023, 1:38 pm Only small patches of ice remained in the shaded bays around the lake.	4/13/2023, 1:35 pm On our return through the cut, we had to move some ice out of the way.	4/13/2023, 1:33 pm The cut, looking toward 3rd lake and Maple Mountain.

4/13/2023, 1:27 pm There was a patch of ice over the sandbar.	4/13/2023, 1:17 pm Post Office bay was pretty clear by afternoon.	4/13/2023, 11:57 am Looking back at the cut, ice was piling up at the opening--might be a difficult return.	4/13/2023, 11:20 am We had to break through some ice on the other side of the cut.

4/13/2023, 11:18 am There was open water in the cut, as we rafted through to second lake.	4/13/2023, 11:14 am Less than two hours later, there was a clear path to the cut.	4/13/2023, 10 am It looked like there was a path through the ice, so we made our first attempt, which failed.	4/13/2023, 5:36 am We thought the ice would disappear overnight; but there was still significant ice.

4/12/2023, 3:46 pm You can see how much the ice has darkened, signifying that the ice is very thin.	4/12/2023, 3:45 As more ice receded, it was clear that the next step was to put the motor on the raft.	4/12/2023, 10 am There is far more open water two days later, with sunshine and warm temps.	4/10/2023, 2:20 pm Ice is breaking up around the shoreline; but it is still white and solid in the middle

Visit Us Through the Star Lake Handbook

Postcard Gallery--Take a Historical Tour

The Star Lake Handbook is a 20-page color booklet describing scenic Star Lake and the Star Lake Protective Association. Contents include historical facts about the lake, pictures, a map and fishing and boating information. The Handbook is a compilation of many people's efforts and is provided to inform and entertain.

Click here to access and read the most recent edition of the Handbook. Use the feedback link to order printed copies, if you like. Past editions are available for viewing in PDF format.

2/5/2017 The Postcard Gallery has been recently updated with 36 new (old) postcards in the Members' Area. Take a tour of Star Lake as our great-grandparents knew it. Many of the postcards date back to the early 1900's, when Star Lake was a thriving recreational summer retreat. Visit "Post Cards" to see Star Lake in a totally different way. (A username and password is required)

2024 SLPA Meetings and Events
Date	Event	Place	Time
Sat, June 29	Regular Meeting, socializing/meeting to follow	SOS Adirondack Exhibit Center	10:00 am
Weds. July 10	First Lake Road Clean-up	Meet at CFCS (school) parking lot	9:00 am
Sat, July 27	18th Annual Poker-Run	Meet at the sandbar to register	12:00 noon
Weds. Aug 14	Lake Shoreline Clean-up	Meet at the Sandbar	10:00 am
Sat. Aug 31	Annual Meeting, socializing/refreshments; meeting to follow	SOS Adirondack Exhibit Center	10:00 am
Sat. Aug 31	Potluck Picnic ? To be determined	To be determined	4:00 pm
Weds, Sept 11	Second Lake Road Clean-up	Meet at CFCS (school) parking lot	9:00 am

Boating Safety Class Now On-line

Please Use the New DEC Boat Washing Station

The NYS Parks and Recreation people have announced that anyone can now receive a boating safety certificate by taking the course on-line. This course is equivalent to the 8-hour classroom course offered locally in the past. Once the course has been successfully completed, a written certificate is issued and boaters can, at their option, have the certification stated on their driver's license, learning permit or non-driver ID, much like motorcycle certification is indicated on the license.

For more information about fees and how to enroll, follow this link. If you are local and would like to know more about enrolling in a classroom Boating Safety course this summer, use our feedback form and we will provide local instructor contact information.

Currently, it is a legal requirement for all jet ski (pwc) operators and for all boat operators born after May 1, 1996 to successfully complete the boaters' safety course. For jet ski operation, only children 14 and up can take the course and operate a PWC legally. Children from 10 to 19 cannot operate a boat alone unless they take and pass the course.

The SLPA supports any effort to keep our lake and the people who use it safe and we encourage anyone who operates a motorized boat or jet ski to take this course. Hopefully this will lead to the safe, responsible operation of watercraft.

A New Boat Washing Station is in operation for the Clifton-Fine area as part of a pilot program by the State to keep invasive species at bay. The site is located at the corner of Rt. 3 and County Rt. 60, near J&L. The wash station is manned by volunteers from Paul Smith's College five days a week from 7 am to 4 pm and will eventually be available seven days a week.

The DEC advises boaters and anglers to check their boats, trailers and other fishing and boating equipment for any plants or animals that may be clinging to it. It's the law: "Following a thorough inspection, boats should be cleaned, drained and dried." If you stop in with your boat, you will receive a free careful inspection and a 140-degree power washing to kill free-loading plants and creatures.

Lakes in the Adirondack Park are relatively free of invasive plants and animals so far; but there has been a recent push by New York State to insure that they do not get introduced into our pristine lakes and streams. Invasive species like milfoil, zebra mussels, clams, and water fleas can be introduced to clean lakes by careless boaters and fishermen. Invasive species generally come from Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence river or other contaminated bodies of water clinging to boat bottoms, trailors and fishing gear. Boats, trailers, livewells, and gear need to be properly inspected and cleaned before launch into another body of water. This new washing station should make it easier for those who move boats from lake to lake. So, if you are heading across the Route 3 corridor, please stop in for this free inspection and washing. And please, help us to keep our lakes and waterways free of invasives.

For more info, go here; click graphic to enlarge for viewing; press back to return.

New York State Boater's Guide

SLPA Hosts Cycle Adirondacks to Star Lake

The New York State Boater's Guide, which we have made available to members at meetings in printed form, provides a wealth of boating information. Included in this guide are useful links to various New York agencies and current legal requirements for boating registration, licensing and operation in New York State.

"This guide provides basic boating safety information on such topics as registration, operation, equipment and rules of the road, however we strongly encourage every boater to sign up for some formal boating instruction before venturing out on their own."

If you are new to boating; or if you would like to know more about New York boating regulations, you should read this booklet. The free guide can be downloaded here in .pdf form to be read or printed.

On Sunday, August 23, 2015, 150 to 200 cyclists stopped in Star Lake, one of six stops on their 450+ mile journey through the Adirondacks. While in town, SLPA volunteers took those interested on a raft ride, culminating in a get-together on the sandbar where refreshments were served. One of Star Lake's distinctive features is the more than 100 motorized rafts that slowly cruise around the lake. Cyclists got to see what makes this lake so special to all of us as they rode on these unique water crafts. After being picked up at the Star Lake Haven's shore, they rode over to the sandbar to partake of some true Star Lake hospitality and socializing, sandbar-style. Many other activities were planned by community leaders including a free concert at the school. The raft ride was just one of them, but as many said later, it was the most memorable, pleasurable experience--much positive feedback was received by the Cycle Adirondacks participants.

To read the article about Cycle Adirondacks and Star Lake rafts in Vermont Sports, go here. An article from Adventure Cycling Magazine can be found here. To Learn more about Cycle Adirondacks, go to their website here.

Articles about Star Lake Rafts...

2023 Poker Run--Good Times, Foul Weather...

Click the picture on the left to read a June 27, 2010 article about Star Lake rafts in The Plain Dealer of Cleveland, OH, written by Evelyn Theiss, recent visitor to Star Lake. (press "back" to return to this page).

Read another article in Vermont Sports about Star Lake rafts and Cycle Adirondacks' visit to Star Lake on 8/23/2015.

	8/12/2023 With a summer less than perfect, the big question on this day was "will the poker run happen or not". The day started off cloudy, but then blue skies were welcomed with optimism. 86 members and 6 non-members headed out to the five stops to see what the cards had to say. (more)
Vessels of all sizes returned to the sandbar to compare hands but the weather had something else in mind...

Recent Meeting Minutes:

Member Information & Logon

If you're interested in what happened at the last meeting, visit the recent meetings link. While the archives are for members only, we are providing minutes from the most recent meetings in order to keep everyone in the community informed of SLPA activities and events. Also, a copy of the latest spring mailing is found here. If you are on the lake, perhaps you might come to the next meeting? (photo by Rod Miller)

We maintain a members' area that is password-protected to insure the privacy of our members. If you already have your logon info, feel free to visit the Members' Area. If you are a member and don't yet have a username and password; or, if you would like to join the SLPA, please use the feedback form to contact us. Currently, dues are $20 per calendar year. (photo by Leon Zois)

Local Star Lake Weather at a Glance...

Live-view of Weather on Star Lake

The weather station on Swiss Point came on-line August, 2012. Real-time data is sent out to Weather Underground and Davis WeatherLink (on the left).

An almost real-time view Star Lake is provided by a webcam on Swiss Point, installed in 2014. The picture above is updated every five minutes to provide an up-to-the minute view of the weather.

For more weather info, visit the Star Lake Weather Page. (A username and password is required)

Weather Underground Station KNYSTARL3 (data from Davis VantageVue station on Swiss Point)

Clifton-Fine Central School Weather Station (data via Weatherbug)

(Follow the links above for more detailed information; press "back" to return to this page)

'Tis the Season... Here are the most recent seasonal pictures of the lake, in chronological order. Go to the 'Tis the Season page to see more than 12 complete years of seasonal pictures of Star Lake! To go to the 'Tis the Season page in the Members' Area, a username/password is required. Members can use the feedback link and fill out the form to request the current username and password. (click on a picture for a larger view; press "back" to return to this page).

11/29/2023 'Tis the (last) season for our good friend, known by many on the lake. Rest in Peace, Sally.

11/29/2023 November left us with about 2" of snow; but we dodged the lake effect bands.

11/26/2023 The "beaver moon" rises, a day before full status.

11/26/2023 This morning brought a beautiful sunrise, complete with a rare sun pillar.

11/25/2023 Another view of first-ice on the pond...

11/25/2023 The lone baby loon (left) is still on the lake and is hanging with a friend.

11/25/2023 A very chilly night forced these loons to swim around a skim of ice--the first of the season.

11/17/2023 A group of common merganzers stopped by for breakfast.

11/17/2023 Another rainy afternoon on the way.

11/15/2023 'Tis the season for splendid sunrises.

11/13/2023 Another light snowfall--it won't be long now!

11/11/2023 More "snow birds" stopped over for a couple of weeks.

11/10/2023 A hooded merganser and two bufflehead ducks stop over on their way south.

11/6/2023 The young loon is still on the lake, enjoying a beautiful sunrise.

11/5/2023 A "mirror lake" image on a calm, chilly morning.

11/2/2023 Yes...another gorgeous sunrise!

11/1/2023 November started with a bang, signaling the visual end of fall.

11/1/2023 It's hard to delay the inevitable--our first snowfall of about two inches and highs in the 20's!

10/30/2023 Where's the lake? Cold temps left a layer of thick fog.

10/27/2023 What a difference 9 days make (see 10/18) as the bleakness of late fall settles in.

11/6/2010 A wintry panorama of Star Lake, looking east off Swiss Point, kind of makes you shiver as cloudy sky and early snow showers blanketed the lake in shades of gray, devoid of any remnants of recently-departed fall colors.