Besides from the obvious difference in visible size what other factors differ from lake to lake. Well firstly as mentioned is their size or length. They range from 3 miles right up to 38 miles in length and from 30 feet in depth to 618. All bar one looks like either a finger of claw marks, the exception is Keuka which branches off at around its midpoint and resembles a backwards small Y. Going in size order (length) is a brief description of each lake and its surrounding area.
The smallest of the lakes is Canadice which is a mere 3 miles in length, it serves are part of the water supply for Rochester (as does Hemlock Lake) and because of this the area surrounding the lake is generally undeveloped. Fishing and boating is allowed on the lake and it is stocked up with fish on an annual basis, although you are required to obtain a(free) permit in order to carry out any activites in the lake.
The next is Honeoye which is only 1 mile longer than Canandice but is a hotspot for tourists and holiday home makers. The lake itself is very clean and clear, due to its shallow depth of only 30 feet which is the shallowest of all the lakes, it warms up very quickly in the summer months so taking a dip is a pleasurable experience.
Otisco is next on the list and again is only 5 miles in length. It is a popular spot for camping and boating enthusiasts. The area surrounding the lake is largely made up of private homes so access to the lake itself is limited. An interesting fact about the lake is it used to be nothing more than marsh or bog land until the construction of two damns, the first in 1869 and the second in 1908 which raised the level of the water to what can be seen today. The lake also used to have a causeway that ran its entire width; this was so that the people could cross the lake more easily with carts and wagons.
Hemlock measures just 7 miles in length and is famous for its land-locked Salmon, and thus is very popular with fishermen of all abilities. Salmon aren’t the only fish to inhabit these waters though, trout, bass, crappie and perch can also be found here. Like Canandice the lake is another source of water for Rochester hence the surrounding area is largely unspoilt by buildings and such likes.
Conesus is one mile longer than Hemlock and around 30 feet shallower too. Like a lot of the smaller lakes the surrounding area is mainly private homes and it has only a few campsites and B&B’s. The main attractions to this lake include, fishing, boating and for those with an adventurous side water skiing. During the winter months the lake is a great spot to enjoy some snowmobiling and various other winter activities.
Owasco is next up on the list and is 11 miles in length, its name comes from the Mohawk word meaning “crossing”. It is also the smallest of the “major” lakes but its size does not diminish the fun that can be had, in, on and around the lake itself. The lake is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts whether your poison be fishing, skiing, swimming or boating. The popularity of the lake has been pulling in visitors from near and far for almost 200 years now.
Skaneateles is 15 miles long is one of the eastern most lakes. The village of Skaneateles is stylish and chic and hence attracts famous stars and former presidents to its shores. The purity of the lakes water is so good that neighbouring towns use it as a source of unfiltered drinking water. The lake is actually spreads across three different counties, Onandaga, Cayuga and Cortland. Even though the village population is less than 3,000 this doesn’t stop the village offering the best hotels, year round activities and excellent eateries.
Canandaigua is only 1 mile longer than Skaneateles but its watershed is over double its smaller brother’s span. It is has many holiday homes and the town itself is home to the beautiful Sonnenberg Gardens. The surrounding area is largely untouched and thus it makes the perfect get-away-from-it-all destination. Naples is based at the southern end of the lake and is consider to be the very heart of the Finger Lakes wine industry; it is also home to the Naples Grape Festival which is held on the last weekend in September.
Keuka, the backward Y, is 20 miles in total. It is well known for this biking and hiking trails and other such recreational activities, it is also home to a number of wineries. The views of the vineyards that surround the lake region make it one of the pretties of all the lakes to visit. It has a vast array of restaurants along the lake front and due to the relatively shallow waters (183 feet) it’s excellent for swimming in all summer long.
Seneca is the second longest lake at 35 miles, and the deepest at 618 feet, and it boosts the largest collection of wineries in the Finger Lakes region. It is also home to the Watkins Glen International Race Track which is located along its southern side while the city of Geneva is on its northern side. It is also one of the most popular destinations within the region due to its central position and many other attractions that can be found nearby.
And lastly there is Cayuga who measures in at 38 miles in length, and is Seneca’s largest neighbouring lake. Ithaca is at the lakes base and is home to the regions only university, Cornell and of course Ithaca College. Like Seneca is has many wineries and the area around Ithaca is well known for its waterfalls and gorges. The lake also has one of only two islands within the Finger Lakes, the other is Squaw Island in Canandaigua Lake, Frontenac Island and is visible from the shoreline. Fossil can easily be found along the shoreline and road side, especially over on Frontenac Island.
Although the lakes may have been formed at the same time it does not mean that they are by any means anything alike. As you can now see each and every lake has its own unique personality and offers its own rich array of pursuits and pleasures.