Home > Basics > LakesConesus LakeCoordinates: 42.787°N 77.717°W Elevation: 835 feet/254.5 meters
The Indians called the lake Ga-ne-a-sos--"always beautiful." Current residents call it "the jewel of Livingston County." Both sentiments show appreciation for what the lake has to offer. But Conesus Lake is at the heart of a common controversy.
Conesus Lake is the most westerly of the Finger Lakes. At 8 mi/12.9 km. long and 1 mi./1.6 km. wide, it ranks as one of the smaller or "minor" lakes. In addition, its depth ranges from only 45 ft./13.7 m. to 66 ft./20 m. In the summer, the water is relatively warm. In the winter, the lake is, more often than not, covered with a layer of ice. Consequently, the lake offers just about any recreational activity one can think of, all within 25 mi./40 km. of the City of Rochester. Herein lies the problem.
Lake AccessIt used to be that seasonal cottages dotted the shore of Conesus Lake. But after World War II, when cars became more common, people bought up the land around the lake, built year-round houses, and drove to Rochester to work. Conesus Lake now has the dubious honor of having the most built-up shoreline of any of the Finger Lakes.
For visitors, this makes access to the lake difficult. So, what are your options? There are three: 1) stay at a bed and breakfast on the lake, 2) stay at a campground on the lake, 3) rent a vacation home on the lake.
Bed & Breakfasts on the LakeConesus Lake Bed & Breakfast 2388 East Lake Rd. Conesus, NY 14435 800-724-4841
5305 East Lake Rd. Conesus, NY 14435 866-222-1544
Lakeside Rentals20 Big Tree St. Livonia, NY 14487 585-346-4392
Finger Lakes Premier Properties (formerly Rental Plus) Resort Property Rentals of the Finger Lakes
ParksAs far as short-term access is concerned, there are no state parks on the lake. However, there are two town parks--Vitale Park at the northern end of the lake in the Town of Livonia and Long Point Park about midway down the lake on the western shore in the Town of Geneseo--that offer swimming, picnicking, and restrooms. Vitale Park offers concerts on Sunday evenings throughout the summer, which can be enjoyed from the park (bring your own folding chair) or in your boat on the water. The park is currently undergoing a renovation/expansion to add gardens, paths, and an interpretative center.
Boat LaunchesConesus Lake Public Boat Launch--on East Lake Rd., 4 mi./6.4 km. south of Rt. 20A. Hard surface ramp. Parking for 45 vehicles. Brochure.
Pebble Beach--off Pebble Beach Rd. in the northwest corner of the lake. Cartop launch only. Parking for 120 vehicles. Brochure.
Sand Point--off Rt. 20A at the north end of the lake near Vitale Park. Cartop launch. Parking for 45 vehicles. Brochure.
Conesus Inlet Wildlife Management Area--off West Lake Rd. (Rt. 256) just south of the lake. Cartop launch only. Parking for 40 vehicles. This 1,120-acre site consists of wetland, marsh/swamp, and upland habitat along the edges. It is designed to preserve the lake's only northern pike spawning grounds. The area offers hiking and nature trails, a viewing tower with scenic views of the lake, and a wide variety of wildlife for birding and photography. There is a great blue heron rookery at the southeast end of the marsh and bittern are known to frequent the area. You are asked not to canoe or kayak through the reeds, especially during breeding season, as this can destroy nests and result in the death of young. There are NO restrooms or picnic facilities. Brochure.
The lake water is relatively clean as all shoreline residences are hooked up to the local sewer system. A good thing, too, as Conesus Lake provides drinking water to nearly one-quarter of the residents of the county. The relative clarity of the water is credited to a tiny freshwater crustacean of the genus Daphnia, which, by its "grazing," removes many impurities from the water. Marinas
As one of the small Finger Lakes, the lake water is relatively calm. Most boat traffic is that of motorboats rather than sailboats as on Seneca and Cayuga lakes.
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