Home > Basics > LakesSeneca LakeCoordinates: 42.646°N 76.874°W Elevation: 500 feet/152 meters
Running vertically (north/south) just like a finger, Seneca Lake spans Ontario, Yates, Seneca, and Schuyler counties. From a geographical perspective, it is located in the center of the Finger Lakes, which could provide a certain mediating effect as far as weather is concerned.
At 38 mi./61 km. long, Seneca Lake is the second
Named for the Seneca Indian Nation, one of the six nations of the Iroquois Confederacy, the word seneca is thought to be derived from the Indian word assiniki, meaning "stony place" or "place of stone." Some people speculate that this refers to the southern end of the lake which has the steepest shoreline of any of the Finger Lakes. However, there are also many streams feeding into Seneca Lake with rocky gorges and beautiful, stony waterfalls.
Seneca Lake is classified as a mesotrophic lake with
Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) appeared in the lake in 1992. They are the only non-native mollusk. Native mollusks in the lake include four species of clam and four species of snail.
The lake supports a variety of aquatic vegetation, including the non-native Eurasian milfoil. Interestingly enough, a 1994 study by Robert L. Johnson of Cornell University found that overwintering caterpillars of the aquatic moth Acentria nivea preferred the milfoil as a host plant. The lake contains many species of fish, some native and some non-native. The lake's rainbow trout population, though, is considered to be self-sustaining and reproduces mostly in Catharine Creek, which feeds the lake from the south. In addition to fish, the lake and surrounding area is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Seneca Lake is considered an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society, especially because, since the lake is so large and almost never freezes over, it provides an important wintering area for thousands of waterfowl.
The Watkins Glen Waterfront, also known as Seneca Access to the LakeBoat ToursCaptain Bill's Seneca Lake Cruises1 N. Franklin St. Finger Lakes Water Adventures315-789-4141 Schooner ExcursionsVillage Pier Watkins Glen Waterfront Watkins Glen, NY 14891 607-535-5253 Seneca Sailing AdventuresVillage Marina Watkins Glen, NY 14891 607-742-1707 Boat RentalsGlen Harbor Marina517 East 4th St. Watkins Glen, NY 14891 607-535-2751 Reagan's Canoe & Kayak Livery440 Hall Rd. Himrod, NY 14842 607-243-9100 Roy's Marina4398 Clarks Point Geneva, NY 14456 315-789-3094 Summit to Stream Adventures3471 Salt Point Rd. Watkins Glen, NY 14891 607-535-2701 Village MarinaSeneca Harbor Watkins Glen, NY 14891 607-535-7910 WindsportsSeneca Lake is said to be good for windsports especially in the vicinity of Seneca Lake State Park. However, there are no places to rent or buy equipment in that area. Bring your own so you won't be disappointed. Lakeside Accommodations24 Ducks Cottage Rental4965 Sunset Shores Hector, NY 14841 540-463-4440 Dunham's Lakeside5398 Peach Orchard Spur Hector, NY 14841 703-819-2925 Falls Point Beach HouseBurdett, NY 14818 310-266-5845 Sunrise Beach Homes and Estate Rentals315-789-2551 ParksBonavista State Park Golf Course7194 County Road 132 Ovid, NY 14521 607-869-5482
Although the 9-hole, par 36 golf course dominates the park, Bonavista has nearly 250 acres of woods, scrub, unmowed grass, and fairways with several ponds and a small gorge. Great for golf, wildlife watching, and, in the winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Lodi Point State Parkc/o Sampson State Park 6096 State Route 96A Romulus, NY 14541 315-585-6392
Off County Road 136 about 5 mi./8 km. west of the Village of Lodi, this park has a hard surface ramp and parking for 68 vehicles. Open year round. Pavilion and picnicking facilities. Pets must be leashed. Sampson State Park6096 Rt. 96A Romulus, NY 14541 315-585-6392
Sampson State Park was once a naval training station, then an Air Force base, before becoming a state park. Military roads and buildings have been replaced with grasses, wildflowers, shrubs, and trees on flat, rolling woodlands surrounding ravines. On beautiful Seneca Lake, the focal point of the park is the 103-berth marina for seasonal and transient boaters. There are 245 electric campsites and 64 non-electric sites, picnic areas, playground and playing fields that include tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, a swimming beach, a recreation building, and organized activities including tours, hikes, and wildlife watches. The park is open year round. Camping from May through mid-October. Pets must be leashed. The park is home to the Sampson Air Force Base Veterans Association Memorial Museum and the Samson World War II Navy Veterans Memorial Museum. Seneca Lake State Park1 Lakefront Dr. Geneva, NY 14456 315-789-2331
Seneca Lake State Park offers a wide variety of recreational activities for both children and adults. Children will especially enjoy the sprayground with its 100 spontaneous jets of water. The playground is designed for children ages 4-12. The park also has 2 well-equipped marinas with 132 electric slips and 84 non-electric slips. Transient slips are available at both marinas. Smith Memorial Park5303 Smith-Bond Rd. Hector, NY 14841 607-546-9911
Operated by the Town of Hector, this park provides camping, picnicking, and boat launching facilities. Beach, showers, nature trail. Open from the first weekend in May through the last weekend in September. Public Boat LaunchesGeneva Chamber of Commerce--In the City of Geneva on Rts. 5 & 20. Launch ramps and temporary dockage. Brochure.
Montour Marina/Canal Launch--Off State Route 14 on Marina Dr. in Montour Falls.
Severne Point--On Severne Point Rd., of State Route 14, 8 mi./ south of Dresden. Hard surface ramp. Parking for 12 vehicles. Open year round. Brochure.
Watkins Glen--Off State Route 414 on canal portion of Catharine Creek. Hard surface ramps. Parking for 60 vehicles. Fee charged. MarinasLakefront AccommodationsAdmiral Peabody's Lakeside Lodging3305 Salt Point Rd. Watkins Glen, NY 14891 607-535-9843 Geneva on the Lake1001 Lochland Rd. (State Rt. 14) Geneva, NY 14456 800-343-6382 Great-Getaway at Seneca Lake4444 Hemlock Rd. Dundee, NY 14837 607-733-2371 The Lake House Bed & Breakfast46 Hunt Rd. Rock Stream, NY 14878 607-243-5637 Nautical Nights Bed & Breakfast4280 Locust Rd. Dundee, NY 14837 607-243-7703 Paradise on the Lake4136 High Banks Rd. Geneva, NY 14456 315-585-9901 The Pearl of Seneca Lake B&B4827 Red Cedar La. Dundee, NY 14837 607-243-5227 Rainbow Cove Resort3284 Plum Point Rd. Himrod, NY 14842 607-243-7535 Scottish Glen Bed & Breakfast107 MacLean La. Dundee, NY 14837 607-243-5678 Sunrise Landing Bed and Breakfast4986 Apple Rd., Ext. Dundee, NY 14837 607-243-7548 Sunset on Seneca Bed & Breakfast3221 State Rt. 414 Burdett, NY 14818 607-535-6973 Thendara Inn & Restaurant4356 E. Lake Rd. Canandaigua, NY 14424 585-394-4868 Wine Country Cabins Bed & Breakfast8744 Lower Lake Spur Lodi, NY 14860 607-582-7025 Lakeside RentalsFinger Lakes Premier Properties (formerly Rental Plus) Lakefront Cottages at Lodi Point Resort Property Rentals of the Finger Lakes
See Also:Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association
Updated 23 July 2013
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