This narrow 3.7-mile (6.0 km)-long lake with an unknown maximum depth in the south of the region, was called Shanantaha or Sha-nen-da-ho-ra by natives.

For a long time the depth of Ballston Lake was not determined, due to the multiple caves that prevented divers from going to the bottom.

[3] Fish species present in the lake include northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, yellow perch, carp, pumpkinseed sunfish, walleye, bluegill, black crappie, redfin pickerel and brown bullhead.

The lake is meromictic, meaning its deeper waters never mix with the surface layer.

In February 2022, the public fishing pier on the north end of the lake was closed due to damage sustained by ice over the winter.