thumb|300px|Canandaigua Lake from its western shore (1998)

thumb|300px|Satellite view of the lake

Canandaigua Lake () is a Finger Lake in Ontario County in western New York. It is the westernmost of the major Finger Lakes, largest of the four Finger Lakes in the county, and fourth largest by size of the Finger Lakes. The City of Canandaigua is located at the northern end of the lake and the village of Naples is several miles south of the southern end.

The name Canandaigua is derived from the Seneca name spelled variously Kanandarque, Ganondagan, Ga-nun-da-gwa, or in a modern transcription, tganǫdæ:gwęh, which means "the chosen spot", or "at the chosen town".

Description

Canandaigua Lake is long, wide, and has a shoreline of . Near the northern end is Skenoh Island. About fifty percent of the surrounding land is in forest, but most of the remainder is under cultivation. Of of shoreline, (97%) are private and (3%) are public.

Canandaigua Lake is known for its water quality. The lake is the sole source of drinking water for the town and city of Canandaigua, located on the northern end of the lake, in addition to serving the communities of Rushville, Newark, Canandaigua, Palmyra, and Gorham township as their main public supplier of water. In April 2013 and 2017, the drinking water was entered into a competition held by the New York section of American Water Works Association, in which it was voted the best drinking water in New York State. The lake's water is well-oxygenated, allowing fish to live in both shallow and deep areas. The water is also very clear, allowing visibility of the bottom up to below the surface. These efforts became successful with the announcement in October 2021 that the U.S. Board on Geographic Names had approved the name "Skenoh Island", effective immediately, based on recommendations from the New York State Geographic Names Committee, the New York State Museum and the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The word "skenoh" translates to "health" or "peace" in the Seneca language.

History

The first steamboat in the Finger Lakes region was the Enterprise, which was launched in 1825. Canandaigua Lake's steamboat era ran from 1827 with the launching of the Lady of the Lake and ended in 1935 when the Idler discontinued passenger service. There were fourteen major boats that provided commercial service on Canandaigua Lake. Today, the Canandaigua Lady, a 19th-century replica of a double-decked paddleboat, continues this tradition.

The Native Americans and white settlers signed the Treaty of Canandaigua just north of the lake. This parchment, which is in the Memorial Museum, has the names of a number of famous Indian chiefs including Red Jacket, Cornplanter, Handsome Lake, Farmer's Brother, and Fish Carrier.

The lake is a popular second home destination for families from nearby Rochester, New York, as well as other parts of the Northeast.

Points of interest

  • Canandaigua Lake State Marine Park is located in the City of Canandaigua on the lake's north end. It offers a boat launch for powerboats and fishing access from May to mid-October.
  • Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park is located near the north end of the lake.
  • County Road 12 into Naples (town), New York at the south end of the lake, which is known for its views of the lake and is a favorite of fall travelers. Also along the road is the new South Bristol Overlook.
  • The Canandaigua Wine Trail, which is a collection of wineries, breweries, bed & breakfasts, hotels, attractions, shops, and restaurants around Canandaigua Lake.
  • The Canandaigua Lady, a double-decker paddle wheel boat and steamboat replica that offers public cruises on Canandaigua Lake from May through October.
  • Fishing is widely popular. The lake is home to a few species of salmonids (lake trout, brown trout, rainbow trout), largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, and panfish, including yellow perch, blue gills, pumpkinseed, rock bass, black crappie and bullheads.
  • Four public access points are located on Canandaigua Lake.

References

  • Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council
  • Photos of historic boathouses on the Canandaigua Lake pier