The Paterswoldsemeer, which also includes the Hoornsemeer, is 270 hectares in size. On the east side, the Paterswoldse Meer is connected to the Hoornsediep, a remnant of the Drentsche Aa, and thus to the Noord-Willemskanaal via the Nijveensterkolk lock. The Pieterpad runs over the dike next to the Hoornsediep, the Hoornsedijk. On the south side, the lake is bordered by the Meerweg, the road from Haren to Paterswolde. To the south lies the Frisian Veen.