Canadice Lake, New York
Canadice Lake is a small lake situated about 48 km south of Rochester in the southwestern portion of New York's Ontario County. It is the smallest of the eleven Finger Lakes, which are well noted for the Seneca Indians who inhabited its shores throughout history. Since 1876, the lake has supplied water to the city of Rochester. Canadice Lake has the highest elevation among the Finger Lakes, so the water flows naturally to the city without requiring any pumps. To safeguard the lake's water quality, it has boat length and engine power restrictions of 17 feet and ten horsepower, respectively, making the Canadice Lake an excellent place for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. Swimming is, however, not permitted, while the calm wind allows one to enjoy this beautiful lake.
Geography Of Canadice Lake
Located entirely within the town of Canadice in the Finger Lakes region of New York's Ontario County, the Canadice Lake covers a surface area of 2.63 sq. km. The lake has a length of 4.8 km and a maximum width of 0.48 km. Moreover, with a 10.5 km long coastline, Canadice Lake has an average depth of 17 m and reaches a maximum depth of 29 m. Like the other Finger Lakes, Canadice Lake was formed during the most recent Ice Age. The weaker soil between the ridges was gouged out by the advancing ice sheet, forming the basins in which the lake currently rests.
History Of Canadice Lake
The lake's name has been derived from the native Iroquois word "ska-ne-a-dice," which means "long lake." Just like many of the Finger Lakes, Canadice Lake once welcomed tourists and seasonal inhabitants to its cottage-dotted shoreline every year. The City of Rochester, however, decided to use the lake's waters to provide its residents with safe drinking water in 1872 and started buying up the lake's waterfront properties.
Since 1876, Rochester has used Canadice Lake as its source of drinking water. Until 2010, the City held all of the lake's waterfront property as well as a large portion of the area's properties. Canadice Lake was acquired by the state's Department of Environmental Conservation in 2010 from the City of Rochester. As per the agreement terms, the City's heritage of good stewardship must be preserved by the Department continuing property maintenance and preservation that satisfies or exceeds the City's standards.
Fishing In Canadice Lake
Fishing is a popular pastime for many who visit the lake, and anglers make it a point to stop here whenever they can. With no water skiers, obnoxious speedboats, or trick-riding jet skis in sight, Lake Canadice's picturesque setting, and calm waters make fishing there a consistently enjoyable experience. One can catch both warm- and cold-water species in the lake, including bluegill, brown trout, bullhead, chain pickerel, lake trout, largemouth bass, pumpkinseeds, rainbow trout, rock bass, salmon, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch. A fishing license is required for fishing in Canadice Lake.
Recreation In Canadice Lake
Two boat launches are available in the lake for canoes, kayaks, and motorboats with up to 10 horsepower. As one sets sail for Canadice Lake, one can notice the ruins of ancient houses framing the beach and second-growth trees establishing themselves on the surrounding fields. For many lake visitors, walking is the greatest and most pleasurable method to explore the lake's surrounding land. There are a number of nearby trails that run around the lake's coastline, offering gorgeous water vistas and stunning New York scenery. These trails range from easy and relatively flat to strenuous and steep.
The 2.63 sq. km area of Canadice Lake is almost undeveloped, making it a place completely unspoiled by harmful human activities. One can expect tranquil canoeing excursions, peaceful lakeshore strolls, and soft songbird serenades, with Canadice Lake sunsets making it ideal for a fulfilling day and the perfect getaway from the stress of daily life.
