The Leekstermeer, also known as the Zulthermeer, is the largest lake in the province of Drenthe, covering 335 hectares in the municipality of Noordenveld along the Drenthe-Groningen provincial border. The lake averages between 1 and 1.5 meters in depth, with a maximum of approximately 2.20 meters. Its character varies by location: the western side has a swampy peat bottom and is where most water recreation takes place, while the eastern half features a harder sand bottom more suited to windsurfing. The northeastern section, known as the Rietboor, is a reed-fringed area. The lake and its surrounding Leekstermeergebied have been a designated Ramsar Wetland since 2000, reflecting the ecological significance of the area.

The primary paddling base is Watersportcentrum Cnossen Leekstermeer, which offers canoe, SUP, sailboat, motorboat, rowboat, and electric whisper boat rentals, along with a marina where paddlers can moor their own craft. The site sits directly on the lake and provides access to the broader waterway network. Additional kayak rentals are available at Dorpshuis Watersportcentrum Lettelbert and Natuurcamping Lettelbert.

Several established routes are available. The Nienoord route takes approximately 1.5 hours and follows the Leekster Hoofddiep toward Nienoord Estate and the harbour at Leek, passing through agricultural and estate landscapes. The Bolmert Canoe Route, designed specifically for canoeists, runs along the Bolmertsche Gouwe and the winding Molensloot into the Onlanden nature reserve and takes around 60 minutes. A longer 25-kilometer round trip from the Hoendiep incorporates the lake and the Onlanden, with two portages along the way; one portage occurs at a pumping station between the lake and the Molensloot, where low sides make the carry straightforward, and another at the Peizerdiep, which has dedicated kayak piers.

The lake connects to through-waterways reaching the Frisian lakes, the Wadden coast, and the city of Groningen, making it a viable starting point for multi-day touring. The surrounding Onlanden reserve offers rich birdlife and quiet canals. The marina at Cnossen operates seasonally from April 1 to November 1, which gives a practical indication of the main paddling season in this part of the Netherlands.