Lake Lacawac has been a focus for limnological studies since the 1960's, when personnel from the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania began studies at Lacawac and other nearby aquatic ecosystems. Since 1988 Lehigh University has developed an ongoing lake studies program emphasizing a comparison of Lake Lacawac with two other privately owned lakes: Lake Waynewood, a more eutrophic, algae-rich lake; and Lake Giles, a clear, oligotrophic, somewhat acidic lake. To support the recent interest of Lehigh investigators in the effects of natural ultraviolet radiation on aquatic ecosystems, an automated meteorological station equipped with instruments to monitor UV radiation has been established on and adjacent to Lake Lacawac (Lacawac weather station). The Lacawac Sanctuary has hosted researchers and class field trips from dozens of academic institutions since the 1960's. Wildlife biologists working in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Game Commission have used Lacawac Sanctuary as base of operations for regional studies of black bear, river otter, waterfowl, etc. The impact of heavy browsing by white-tailed deer (on herbaceous vegetation and on tree regeneration) is the subject of an on-going exclosure experiment started in 1995.
 

New research projects at Lacawac must be approved in advance by the Lacawac Sanctuary Board of Trustees through its Science Committee. Application forms can be obtained from the Director, and need to be submitted 1-2 months before starting a project. The Director can often approve some simple projects, for instance a one-time sampling of the water or plankton of Lake Lacawac, on short notice. Lehigh faculty will ordinarily secure approval for undergraduate projects they are supervising. Sampling of the other lakes involved in the Pocono Comparative Lakes Program requires permission from the respective landowners; consult Lehigh faculty for information. In order to protect Lake Lacawac from inadvertent species introductions, sampling equipment needs to be rinsed thoroughly before use. Boats or other watercraft from outside the Sanctuary are not permitted on the lake. Several habitats at Lacawac have a high priority for preservation because of their small extent, vulnerability to disturbance, and presence of uncommon plant species. These include parts of the Lake Lacawac littoral zone, its fringing bog vegetation, and the Wallenpaupack ledges. Proposals for research in these habitats will be subjected to special scrutiny. Visitors are asked not to make casual excursions through these habitats.