Emergency services were called to Derwentwater in the early hours after reports of a vessel in distress.
Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team, Maryport Inshore Rescue, Keswick Mountain Rescue Team, Cumbria Fire and Rescue, police and the ambulance servic were called at around 1.10am.
A Coastguard helicopter also assisted in the search.
Weather conditions meant Keswick Mountain Rescue Team could not launch its emergency boat, so Maryport Inshore Rescue used its boat.
Despite a thorough search of the area, no vessel was located.
The search was stood down.
