Printer-friendlySkaneateles Lake
Skaneateles Lake is the fifth largest of the Finger Lakes. It is located in Onondaga, Cortland and Cayuga counties. Skaneateles means "long lake" in the Iroquois language. Skaneateles Lake is one of the cleaner Finger Lakes. Local communities draw their drinking water straight from the lake.
Physical Features
Elevation: 863 feet
Area: 8,960 acres
Length: 16 miles
Maximum Width: 1.5 miles
Maximum Depth: 300 feet
Thermocline: about 35 feet
Plant Life
Skaneateles has limited weed growth. The south end has some weed growth and to a lesser extent so does the north end.
Public Access Sites
DEC Launch Site- Two miles south of village of Skaneateles on west shore off route 41 A. Concrete ramp, and parking for 30 cars and trailers.
Skaneateles Park- Village of Skaneateles (Shore)
Grout Brook Public Fishing Rights (80 KB pdf file)
General Fishing Information
Smallmouth bass fishing is good throughout the lake. The south end is noted for good bullhead, panfish and pickerel fishing. Lake trout fishing is excellent, though fish are smaller than in other Finger Lakes. Many rainbow trout and landlocked salmon are caught by trolling on the surface during spring and fall. There is also excellent fall rainbow trout shore fishing. Marshmellow and worm rigs are popular with local anglers. Ice fishing is good for lake trout and yellow perch. For current fishing information a fishing hotline is available at Region 7 fishing hotline or by calling (607) 753- 1551.
Fisheries Management
Gamefish present include lake trout, rainbow trout, landlocked salmon, smallmouth bass and chain pickerel. Panfish include bluegill, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, rock bass and bullhead. Main forage fish are yellow perch. Skaneateles Lake is stocked yearly with 20,000 rainbow trout and 9,000 landlocked salmon. Natural reproduction accounts for all of the lake trout in the lake. For fishing regulations refer to the Finger Lakes and Tributary regulations in the fishing guide. An ongoing angler diary cooperator program for gamefish provides DEC fisheries staff with useful data on population trends. Angler diary results can be viewed at Region 7 angler diary results . We are always looking for new cooperators, so if you are interested please contact the Region 7 office at (607) 753-3095 ext. 213 or online at reg7info@gw.dec.state.ny.us
Skaneateles Lake Contour Map (227 KB pdf file)
More about Skaneateles Lake:
- Large Map of Skaneateles Lake - Fifth largest of the Finger Lakes, located in Onondaga, Cortland and Cayuga counties.
