Lake Pátzcuaro, (Spanish: Lago de Pátzcuaro) is a lake in the municipality of Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, México. Lake Pátzcuaro lies in an endorheic basin, which has no drainage to the sea.

Lake Pátzcuaro has a watershed area of 359 square miles (929 sq. km) which drains into this body of water, of which 48.8 square miles (126.4 sq. km) are the actual water body. The Lake Pátzcuaro watershed extends 31 miles (50 km) east-west and 20.5 miles (33 km) from north to south, and is the center of the basin and is surrounded by volcanic mountains with very steep slopes. It has an average depth of 16.4 feet (5 m) and a maximum depth of 36 feet (11 m). Its volume is approximately .14 cubic mile (580 million cubic metres).

Lake Pátzcuaro lies at an elevation of 6,299 feet (1,920 m), and is the lake with the highest elevation in Mexico.

The Lake Pátzcuaro basin is of volcanic origin. At times it has been part of an open and continuous hydrological system formed by Lake Cuitzeo, Lake Pátzcuaro and Lake Zirahuén, which at one time together drained into the Lerma River. Today, like lakes Cuitzeo and Zirahuén, Lake Pátzcuaro is a closed basin lake, although ecologists consider it a sub-basin of the Lerma-Chapala basin.

The lake is surrounded by extensive wetlands, which have been designated as a Ramsar site since 2005. Cattails and other reedy vegetation are the dominant wetland vegetation, in dense stands over 2 meters tall.

The wetlands are extremely important for birds, both year-round inhabitants and migrating waterfowl. Close to 200 species inhabit the wetlands, including some endemic species such as the black-polled yellowthroat (Geothlypis speciosa). Two native species have not been observed recently; the yellow rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis) has not been seen since 1964 and may be locally extinct, and the endemic slender-billed grackle (Quiscalus palustris) is presumed extinct.

The lake and its surrounding wetlands have undergone significant environmental changes over the past 50 years. logging and agriculture in the surrounding watershed have contributed to siltation of the lake (1 cm / year - 1.2 million cubic meters / year), and water diversion for agriculture and urbanization has reduced the size of the lake by 40 square kilometers, and 2.6 meters in depth. Other threats include untreated sewage, the introduction of exotic species, and chemical pollution.

By seven this morning, this city is bustling with activity. Across the street, the taco stand is busy with hungry customers, the Bimbo bread trucks have arrived ready to run their routes, the taxis are lined up awaiting their fare, the traffic is already strong and all this on a Saturday. Methinks that Morelia is much too big of a city for myself, one who much more desires the life of small towns.

Then, at seven-forty, when the sun rises above the distant hills, this day has officially begun, and soon the service group will arrive when we will all be off to my next destination, Patzcuaro.

On the way to Patzcuaro, we stop at Quiroga, a small town near the northern shore of Lake Pátzcuaro where I get my first view of the lake with Janitzio island in the middle.

Sometime during this long day, Ron offers me to park under the carport inside of the walls that make up what he calls the compound. I agree with his offer and find out that the carport has a bath room with a toilet and sink. Wow, such luxury for this traveler.

I awake early despite the late night of working on my computer. Later, I get ready for the drive to Uruapan, getting dressed for the meeting and then await for Ron and Jean to arise, get into their car and lead the way to the city of Uruapan, where he will give the public talk at the Kingdom Hall.

On the highway to Uruapan, Ron stops, gets out and then tells me that he wants to show me a lake. He explains that this is a very unique lake and has the most pristine water in all Mexico.

We continue to Uruapan, drive to the hall, park and go inside for the meeting.