Poznan’s biggest body of water is Kierskie Lake located on the western outskirts of the city, some 10 kilometres  west of the city centre. The lake covers an area of nearly 300 hectares, has an average depth of 10 metres, and yet in certain places is over 30 metres deep. It has over 12 kilometres of shoreline offering excellent tourist and recreational opportunities. Among the broadleaf woods along the east shore of the lake tracks run that form a wedge-shaped green piece of land leading back to Sołacki Park and the city centre.

All year long, the lake is available to anglers, who are permitted standing in a boat or on the shore of the lake. There are two guarded bathing beaches by the lake, one in Krzyżowniki and the other in Kiekrz, as well as numerous leisure and training centres. Given that several sailing (and in the winter – iceboating) resorts are located by the lake, marinas are a characteristic feature of the landscape.

There is even a trail for cyclists and strollers that links the city centre with the lake. It is 15 kilometres long and leads through the woodlands around Poznan’s biggest lakes.

Maltańskie Lake is a very picturesque body of water located only several hundred kilometres from the Archcathedral Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul in Poznan and a few kilometres from the city’s Old Town. The shores of the lake offer a superb view of the oldest part of Poznan. Maltańskie Lake is an artificial body of water that was created fifty years ago, following the construction of a dam on the small Cybina River. For over a dozen years, the lake has served as a racing course, where mainly canoeing and rowing events have been organised – in August, the World Canoeing Championships will be held at the lake. Yet over the last few  years one could also have seen here great sailing boats, super-fast motor boats, and even dragon boats of Chinese origin.

There are two more small lakes in the western part of the city, namely Rusałka Lake and Strzeszyńskie Lake. The former, like Maltańskie Lake, is an artificial body of water. It covers the area of nearly 2 hectares and is up to 10 metres deep. All year round one can meet fishermen here, and in the summer, considerable groups of sunbathers are attracted by the Water Sports Centre and bathing beach by the lake. In the vicinity of Rusałka Lake, in a big forest complex, several sports facilities are also available, including a cinder track.

A few kilometres further to the west lies Strzeszyńskie Lake. This picturesque basin is surrounded by beautiful woods with superb recreational grounds. The forested shores form scenic small bays on Rusałka Lake. A recreational centre with a small motel is located by the lake, which is run all year round. In the summer season, a bathing beach is also available for tourists as well as several cafés and a restaurant.