Both the large and the small lakes (Store and Litle Stokkavatn) are a short distance from Stavanger city centre. You can swim in the lake in the summer and it is also a great hiking area. It is an incredibly popular outdoor area for the locals.
The lakes Store og Litle Stokkavatn are situated some kilometres from the city centre and are surrounded by green areas that are changing between forest, agricultural areas and old cultural landscape. There are several hiking tracks and flood lighted trails around the lakes. The surroundings around the Stokkavatn lakes are home to flocks of deer, and you can often see the deer close by. To the south of the lake Store Stokkavatn, the track goes through the wetland at Madlaforen where the birdlife is especially rich. You can feed the ducks and other birds from the footbrigde. Stavanger's largest lake, Store Stokkavatn once supplied much of the town's drinking water, but in recent years it has been replaced by other sources, with facilities now being on standby. As a result, you are welcome to swim in this beautiful lake, and it is a popular destination for fishing. From municipal properties around the lake, fishing with lines or fishing poles is allowed throughout the year. In the winter, some try their luck at ice fishing, as soon as the ice is thick enough for safety. Please note that all fish smaller than 25 cm must be released. The fishing here is free of charge.
Fuente: Region Stavanger