It is situated between the much larger lakes of Windermere and Coniston Water in the Furness area.

The lake covers around 280 acres (1.1 km2) and is known for its excellent fishing, particularly trout and pike.

The poem "The vale of Esthwaite" (1787) was Wordsworth's first effort at sustained composition.

[5] Esthwaite is notable as one of the most nutrient rich of the mesotrophic lakes in Cumbria, with large seasonal and inter-annual variations in phosphorus supply.

[6] As well as the more common British species of pondweed in the genus Potamogeton, slender naiad (Najas flexilis) is also present.