The Lippesee is a local recreation area with a wide range of water sports and leisure options such as sailing, surfing, pedal boating and fishing. There is a small beach at the kiosk on the north bank. There is also a barbecue area, a children's playground, sunbathing lawns, a mountain bike course, a skate park and a mini golf course. Water-skiing opportunities can be found in the adjacent Nesthauser See.
The Lippesee is completely surrounded by mostly asphalted paths, on which cycling and running sports are possible all year round. In suitable snow conditions, the Lippe Lake circuit is also suitable as a cross-country ski run.
Water sports are possible on the Lippesee. There are two sailing clubs on the lake, the Paderborner Yacht Club e.V. and the Segler-Verein Paderborn e.V., as well as a commercial sailing school.
In addition to its use as a local recreation area, high-quality gravel is also extracted in the lake, which was deposited in layers up to 20 m thick in the last Ice Age at the transition from the Westphalian Bay to the Paderborn plateau, especially in the area of the Lippe Lake. These river deposits come mainly from the Alme and the Beke, which flow into the Lippe above the Lippesees.