New York isn’t just skyscrapers and yellow cabs. The state is home to more than 7,600 freshwater lakes — from two of the five Great Lakes on its borders to the glacially carved Finger Lakes, remote Adirondack wilderness lakes, and historic waterways that shaped the nation’s early economy. Whether you’re planning a fishing trip, a wine trail tour, or simply want to appreciate some genuinely spectacular scenery, here are the 20 biggest and most remarkable lakes in New York State.
| # | Lake | Surface Area | Max Depth | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Erie | 9,910 sq mi (total) | 210 ft | Western NY border |
| 2 | Lake Ontario | 7,340 sq mi (total) | 802 ft | Northern NY border |
| 3 | Lake Champlain | ~435 sq mi | 400 ft | Eastern NY/Vermont |
| 4 | Finger Lakes (group) | ~273 sq mi combined | 618 ft (Seneca) | Central NY |
| 5 | Lake Saint-Francis | ~62 sq mi | 82 ft | St. Lawrence border |
| 6 | Oneida Lake | ~79.8 sq mi | 55 ft | Central NY (near Syracuse) |
| 7 | Seneca Lake | 66.9 sq mi | 618 ft | Finger Lakes |
| 8 | Cayuga Lake | ~66 sq mi | 435 ft | Finger Lakes |
| 9 | Lake George | 44 sq mi | 197 ft | Adirondacks |
| 10 | Great Sacandaga Lake | 51.7 sq mi | 70 ft | Southern Adirondacks |
| 11 | Chautauqua Lake | ~20 sq mi | 78 ft | Southwest NY |
| 12 | Allegheny Reservoir | ~19 sq mi | 132 ft | Southwest NY border |
| 13 | Keuka Lake | ~18 sq mi | 183 ft | Finger Lakes |
| 14 | Canandaigua Lake | ~16–17 sq mi | 276 ft | Finger Lakes |
| 15 | Skaneateles Lake | ~14 sq mi | ~300 ft | Finger Lakes |
| 16 | Black Lake | ~12 sq mi (7,761 acres) | 29 ft | St. Lawrence County |
| 17 | Cranberry Lake | ~11 sq mi (6,975 acres) | 38 ft | Adirondacks |
| 18 | Owasco Lake | ~10 sq mi (6,665 acres) | 177 ft | Finger Lakes |
| 19 | Raquette Lake | ~8 sq mi (5,270 acres) | 95 ft | Adirondacks |
| 20 | Fulton Chain of Lakes | ~8 lakes combined | ~82 ft (Fourth Lake) | Adirondacks |
1. Lake Erie – Largest Lake Bordering New York
| Surface Area | 9,910 sq mi (25,700 km²) total | ~93 miles of NY shoreline |
|---|---|
| Max Depth | 210 ft (64 m) |
| Volume | 116 cubic miles (484 km³) |
| Location | Western NY border; Buffalo at eastern end, Toledo OH at western end |
Lake Erie forms the southwestern border of New York State, with Buffalo sitting at the lake’s eastern end. It is the fourth largest of the five Great Lakes by surface area, and the shallowest — its average depth is just 62 feet, and it reaches a maximum of 210 feet (64 meters). Because of its shallow profile, it is both the most biologically productive of the Great Lakes and the only one that freezes over regularly in winter.
The lake covers four U.S. states — New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan — plus the Canadian province of Ontario. It is approximately 241 miles long and 57 miles wide, with a total shoreline (including islands) of 871 miles. It receives the majority of its inflow from the upper Great Lakes via the Detroit River, and its primary outflow is the Niagara River, which drops over Niagara Falls before feeding into Lake Ontario.
The lake’s name derives from the Iroquoian word erielhonan, meaning “long tail.” The Erie tribe, and later the Iroquois, inhabited its shores for centuries. European exploration of the lake came later than the other Great Lakes — Louis Joliet is credited with formally exploring and mapping it in 1669. Lake Erie is widely regarded as the “Walleye Capital of the World” and supports one of North America’s most productive freshwater fisheries.
2. Lake Ontario – Largest Clear-Water Lake on New York’s Border
| Surface Area | 7,340 sq mi (19,011 km²) total |
|---|---|
| NY Shoreline | ~726 miles |
| Max Depth | 802 ft (244 m) |
| Volume | ~393 cubic miles |
Lake Ontario is the easternmost and smallest of the five Great Lakes by surface area, but don’t let “smallest” mislead you — its American shoreline lies entirely within New York State, stretching for roughly 726 miles. It is also the second deepest of the Great Lakes at 802 feet, meaning it holds considerably more water than Lake Erie despite its smaller footprint.
Formed by glacial action at the end of the last Ice Age, Lake Ontario is bordered on the south by New York and on the north by Ontario, Canada. Its name comes from an Iroquois word meaning “beautiful lake.” French explorer Étienne Brûlé is credited with being the first European to reach Lake Ontario, around 1615. The most notable city on its New York shore is Rochester, the state’s third-largest city. Over 90% of the lake’s outflow travels to the St. Lawrence River, which carries its waters eventually to the Atlantic Ocean. The lake supports species including walleye, Coho and Chinook salmon, rainbow and steelhead trout.
3. Lake Champlain – Largest Natural Freshwater Lake Primarily Within New York
| Surface Area | ~435 sq mi (1,127 km²) |
|---|---|
| Shoreline | 587 miles (including 70 islands) |
| Max Depth | 400 ft (122 m) |
| Volume | ~6.37 km³ (~1.53 cubic miles) |
| Shared With | Vermont (east) and Quebec, Canada (north) |
Lake Champlain stretches 125 miles from north to south along the border between New York’s Adirondacks and Vermont’s Green Mountains, with a northern arm reaching into Quebec. It is the largest freshwater lake in the northeastern United States outside of the Great Lakes, and in 1998, President Clinton briefly signed legislation recognizing it as a Great Lake — a designation that was withdrawn 18 days later following local objection to the reclassification.
The lake has approximately 587 miles of shoreline, 70 islands, and a maximum depth of 400 feet. It is connected north to Montreal via the Chambly Canal and the Richelieu River, and south to the Hudson River via the Champlain Canal — meaning a boat put in the water at Champlain can reach Manhattan or Montreal by water. Around 300 shipwrecks lie on the lake’s bed and can be explored via the Lake Champlain Historic Preserve System. The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in Vergennes, Vermont, documents many of them. History buffs will also want to visit Fort Ticonderoga, built at the lake’s southern narrowing, a key site in both the French and Indian War and the American Revolution.
4. The Finger Lakes – Largest Recreation and Wine Region in New York
| Number of Lakes | 11 |
|---|---|
| Combined Surface Area | ~273 sq mi (~175,000 acres) |
| Deepest Lake | Seneca Lake, 618 ft |
| Longest Lake | Cayuga Lake, 38.1 miles |
| Location | Central/Western New York |
The eleven Finger Lakes — from west to east: Conesus, Hemlock, Canadice, Honeoye, Canandaigua, Keuka, Seneca, Cayuga, Owasco, Skaneateles, and Otisco — run roughly north to south through central New York and together represent one of the state’s most celebrated natural features. Their long, narrow glacier-carved profiles reminded early cartographers of the fingers of two outstretched hands.
The lakes were carved over two million years ago by glaciers of the Laurentide Ice Sheet, which deepened existing river valleys to extraordinary depths. Seneca and Cayuga, the two giants of the group, reach depths that put their floors well below sea level. The region has been inhabited for thousands of years — the Iroquois homeland is centered in the Finger Lakes, with the Seneca and Cayuga Nations holding special ties to the lakes that bear their names.
Today, the Finger Lakes are best known for their world-class wine country. Over 400 wineries and vineyards surround the lakes, benefiting from the deep water’s moderating effect on local microclimate. The six individual Finger Lakes large enough to warrant their own detailed entries are covered below (#7 Seneca, #8 Cayuga, #13 Keuka, #14 Canandaigua, #15 Skaneateles, and #18 Owasco).
5. Lake Saint-Francis – Largest Lake Linked to the Atlantic Ocean
| Surface Area | ~62 sq mi (~40,000 acres) |
|---|---|
| Shoreline | Shared between NY and Quebec, Canada |
| Max Depth | ~82 ft (25 m) |
| Created By | Moses-Saunders Power Dam (western/upstream end) and the Beauharnois Canal diversion (eastern/downstream end) |
Lake Saint-Francis is a widened section of the St. Lawrence River, straddling the border between New York State and the province of Quebec, Canada. It was formed when the Moses-Saunders Power Dam at its western end backed up the St. Lawrence, creating a broad reservoir-like lake that plays a central role in both electricity generation and international commercial shipping. The lake is a significant piece of the St. Lawrence Seaway system — a single ship passing through can carry the freight equivalent of around 870 truckloads, at far lower fuel cost.
For anglers, Lake Saint-Francis is exceptional. Its wide, shallow waters host over 20 documented species of sport, pan, and coarse fish, including walleye, northern pike, muskie, largemouth and smallmouth bass, lake trout, steelhead, and perch. Nature enthusiasts should visit the Lac Saint-François National Wildlife Area on its southern shore, which protects critical marshland habitat for migrating and breeding waterfowl including redhead ducks. Two additional protected wetlands — Charlottenburg Marsh and Cooper Marsh — sit on the northern shore.
6. Oneida Lake – Largest Lake Entirely Within New York State
| Surface Area | ~79.8 sq mi (~51,000 acres) |
|---|---|
| Shoreline | ~55 miles |
| Max Depth | 55 ft |
| Average Depth | ~22 ft |
| Location | Northeast of Syracuse |
Oneida Lake is the largest lake located entirely within the borders of New York State, covering approximately 79.8 square miles northeast of Syracuse. While it is sometimes called the “thumb” of the Finger Lakes due to its geographic proximity to that region, it is not geologically or officially one of the Finger Lakes — it formed differently and is significantly shallower than the deep glacial Finger Lakes.
The lake was named after the Oneida Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy. It is about 21 miles long and 5 miles wide, draining into Lake Ontario through the Oneida River via the Oswego River. Its shallowness (average depth just 22 feet) makes it far warmer in summer than the deep Finger Lakes, and its surface freezes reliably in winter — making it popular for both ice fishing and snowmobiling.
Oneida’s fishery is one of its greatest draws, particularly for walleye and yellow perch. The lake hosts major professional bass tournaments from organizations like BASSMASTER and FLW. Its most popular tourist village is Sylvan Beach, on the eastern shore, which offers an amusement park, restaurants, and water rentals. The watershed spans parts of six counties and 69 communities.
7. Seneca Lake – Deepest and Largest Finger Lake by Area and Volume
| Surface Area | 66.9 sq mi (~43,343 acres) |
|---|---|
| Shoreline | 75.4 miles |
| Max Depth | 618 ft (188 m) |
| Volume | ~4.2 trillion gallons (~3.81 cubic miles) |
| Location | Seneca and Schuyler counties; Geneva at north, Watkins Glen at south |
Seneca Lake is the largest of the Finger Lakes both by surface area and by volume — it holds roughly half of all the water in the entire Finger Lakes system. Its maximum depth of 618 feet (188 m) makes it the second deepest lake in the United States east of the Mississippi, with its floor sitting well below sea level. The U.S. Navy has used the lake’s depth to test submarines and sonar systems. Local legend holds that a submarine still rests in its cold depths.
Named after the Seneca Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy — the name derives from the word Assiniki, meaning “stony place” — the lake is framed by some of New York’s most celebrated wine country. The Seneca Lake Wine Trail includes dozens of wineries, breweries, and a cider house, winding through vineyards on both the east and west shores. The city of Geneva, home to Hobart and William Smith Colleges and Cornell University’s New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, anchors the northern end. The southern end is marked by the dramatic gorges and waterfalls of Watkins Glen State Park, and by Watkins Glen International Raceway.
Seneca also holds some of the world’s best lake trout fishing — it hosts the National Lake Trout Derby — and a collection of sunken canal barges at its southwestern end near Watkins Glen, preserved for scuba diving by the Finger Lakes Underwater Preserve Association.
8. Cayuga Lake – Longest Finger Lake
| Surface Area | ~66 sq mi |
|---|---|
| Length | 38.1 miles (longest of the Finger Lakes) |
| Max Depth | 435 ft (133 m) |
| Location | Tompkins, Seneca, and Cayuga counties; Ithaca at south end |
Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake are New York’s two giant Finger Lakes — nearly identical in surface area, both running roughly 38 miles from end to end, and both among the deepest lakes in the United States. Cayuga is the longest at 38.1 miles, though Seneca is marginally larger in total surface area. Cayuga reaches a maximum depth of 435 feet, second only to Seneca among the Finger Lakes.
The lake was named after the Cayuga Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy. Ithaca, at the lake’s southern tip, is home to Cornell University — whose alma mater famously opens with the line “Far above Cayuga’s waters.” The northern end is home to the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, a critical stopover for migrating waterfowl. Like Seneca, Cayuga is surrounded by wine country, with the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail covering over a dozen wineries along the American Viticultural Area of the same name.
The lake’s deep, cold waters and surrounding high hills create a “microclimate” ideal for growing Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and other cool-climate varietals. The gorge of Taughannock Falls State Park on the lake’s western shore features a waterfall that plunges 215 feet — taller than Niagara Falls — past cliffs rising nearly 400 feet.
9. Lake George – The Queen of American Lakes
| Surface Area | 44 sq mi (~28,000 acres) |
|---|---|
| Shoreline | ~109 miles (plus ~186 islands) |
| Max Depth | 197 ft |
| Volume | ~0.597 cubic miles |
| Location | Warren and Washington counties, Adirondacks |
Lake George has been called the “Queen of American Lakes” since the colonial era, and the title still fits. Set in a narrow valley in the southern Adirondacks, the lake is 32 miles long and studded with some 186 islands, 154 of which are state-owned and open for camping. Its remarkably clear water — the result of a protected watershed and relatively small tributary drainage — earned it recognition from A-Z Animals as one of the top 10 cleanest lakes in the United States.
The Mohawk people knew the lake as Andia-ta-roc-te. French missionary Isaac Jogues named it Lac du Saint Sacrament in the 1600s. During the French and Indian War, British commander Sir William Johnson renamed it Lake George in honor of King George II. The lake sits at a crucial geographic position: it drains north into Lake Champlain via the La Chute River, dropping 220 feet over a short stretch near Ticonderoga — a drop comparable to Niagara Falls.
Today Lake George Village, at the lake’s southern tip, is one of the Adirondacks’ most popular tourist destinations, offering boating, water sports, lakefront dining, and access to both the Fort William Henry Museum and the region’s hiking trails.
10. Great Sacandaga Lake – Largest Man-Made Lake in New York
| Surface Area | 51.7 sq mi (~33,100 acres) |
|---|---|
| Shoreline | ~66 miles |
| Max Depth | ~70 ft |
| Storage Capacity | ~29.4 billion gallons |
| Counties | Fulton and Saratoga |
Great Sacandaga Lake is the largest man-made lake in New York State, formed in 1930 when the Sacandaga River was dammed to provide flood control and flow augmentation for the Hudson Valley. At 51.7 square miles, it is larger than Cayuga or Seneca — an impressive achievement for a reservoir. The lake spans the counties of Fulton and Saratoga and offers a diverse range of recreation, from boating and bass fishing to skiing and snowboarding in the surrounding hills.
The fishery is one of the lake’s main attractions. Great Sacandaga holds a significant population of large northern pike — a New York State record northern pike was taken here in 1940. The DEC stocks rainbow and brown trout annually, and the lake also supports walleye, smallmouth bass, and landlocked salmon. Four boat launches are maintained by the DEC: at Northville, the Town of Day, Northampton Beach, and Broadalbin.
11. Chautauqua Lake – One of the Highest Navigable Lakes in North America
| Surface Area | ~20 sq mi (~13,000 acres) |
|---|---|
| Shoreline | ~53 miles |
| Max Depth | 78 ft (north basin); 19 ft (south basin) |
| Elevation | ~1,308 ft above sea level |
| Location | Chautauqua County, Southwest NY, near Jamestown |
Chautauqua Lake sits at an elevation of roughly 1,308 feet above sea level, placing it among the highest navigable lakes in North America. The village of Bemus Point divides the lake into two distinctly different basins: the deeper north basin (up to 75 feet) and a much shallower south basin (maximum 19 feet). The lake drains south through the Chadakoin River at Jamestown, eventually reaching the Allegheny River and the Mississippi basin.
The lake is best known as home to the world-famous Chautauqua Institution, which since the 1870s has hosted summer programs featuring educational lectures, performing arts, religious programs, and cultural events that attract visitors from across the country. Musky fishing and sailing are the lake’s signature outdoor draws. Fireworks launched from surrounding villages over the water on Independence Day are a beloved annual tradition. “Sandy Bottoms” near Maple Springs and Long Point State Park are among the most popular boating spots.
12. Allegheny Reservoir – Spanning the New York–Pennsylvania Border
| Surface Area | ~19 sq mi (~12,000 acres) |
|---|---|
| Shoreline | ~91 miles |
| Max Depth | 132 ft |
| Average Depth | ~48 ft |
| Location | Straddles Warren County PA and Cattaraugus County NY |
The Allegheny Reservoir (also known as Kinzua Lake) straddles the Pennsylvania–New York state line, with the Allegheny National Forest surrounding its Pennsylvania portion and Allegany State Park anchoring the New York side. The reservoir was created by the Kinzua Dam, completed in 1965 for flood control and water supply purposes — its construction controversially flooded a significant portion of the Seneca Nation’s treaty territory in New York. The Allegany Indian Reservation now encompasses much of the reservoir’s New York shoreline, and the Seneca Nation administers fishing regulations for that section.
The reservoir holds the current Pennsylvania state records for northern pike and walleye. Walleye and muskellunge are the primary targets in its deep, clear water. Six boat launches are maintained by the Allegheny National Forest, including the Kinzua-Wolf Run Marina. On the New York side, Allegany State Park — nicknamed the “wilderness playground of Western New York” — provides over 65,000 acres of camping, trails, and lake access.
13. Keuka Lake – Lady of the Lakes
| Surface Area | ~18 sq mi (~11,584 acres) |
|---|---|
| Shoreline | ~60 miles |
| Max Depth | 183 ft |
| Length | 19.6 miles |
| Ranking | 3rd largest Finger Lake |
Keuka Lake is the third largest of the Finger Lakes and the most distinctive in shape — its unusual “Y” form, created by glacial carving of what was once a branching river system, earned it the nickname “Crooked Lake” among early settlers. Its natural beauty quickly replaced that with the nickname Lady of the Lakes. “Keuka” is an Iroquois word meaning “Canoe Landing.”
The lake is also unique in hydrology: it is the only lake in New York that drains in two directions, with water flowing both north and south through its two branches before eventually exiting north into Seneca Lake via Keuka Outlet. The lake is 19.6 miles long, 1.9 miles wide at its broadest, and reaches a maximum depth of 183 feet.
Keuka sits in the heart of Finger Lakes Wine Country. Pleasant Valley Wine Company — one of the oldest bonded wineries in the United States — is located on its shores. Heron Hill Winery has been named one of the world’s top ten tasting rooms by Travel + Leisure. Brown trout, smallmouth bass, and landlocked salmon make the lake a popular fishing destination. The surrounding towns of Hammondsport, Penn Yan, and Branchport offer lakeside accommodations and dining.
14. Canandaigua Lake – The Fourth Largest Finger Lake
| Surface Area | ~16–17 sq mi (~10,700 acres) |
|---|---|
| Shoreline | ~36 miles |
| Length | 15.5 miles |
| Width | 1.5 miles |
| Max Depth | 276 ft |
Canandaigua Lake takes its name from the Seneca word kanandarque, meaning “the chosen spot.” The city of Canandaigua sits at the northern end and draws its drinking water from the lake. At 15.5 miles long, 1.5 miles wide, and 276 feet deep, it is one of the most accessible Finger Lakes from both Buffalo and Rochester, making it a popular warm-season getaway.
The 41-mile Canandaigua Lake Wine Trail winds from Fairport to Naples, NY, connecting numerous wineries, breweries, and cideries. The Canandaigua Lady, a replica 19th-century double-decker riverboat, offers lunch and dinner cruises on the lake. The Constellation Brands Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (CMAC) — one of New York’s largest outdoor amphitheaters — hosts major concerts each summer just north of the lake. Ontario County Park on the lake’s eastern shore offers swimming, fishing, and a boat launch.
15. Skaneateles Lake – Cleanest of the Finger Lakes
| Surface Area | ~14 sq mi (~8,960 acres) |
|---|---|
| Shoreline | ~49 miles |
| Length | 16 miles |
| Max Depth | ~300 ft |
| Elevation | 863 ft above sea level (among the highest of the Finger Lakes) |
Skaneateles Lake is the fifth largest Finger Lake and, by most measures, the cleanest — it is one of only six unfiltered public drinking water sources in the United States. Its water, which supplies Syracuse and surrounding communities, passes through a coarse screen and chlorination but no conventional filtration plant. The lake’s “oligotrophic” status (low nutrients, high clarity) is the result of its deep, gorge-like shores, lime-and-mineral-rich bedrock, and a carefully protected watershed.
The name “Skaneateles” comes from the Iroquois for “long lake” — though at 16 miles, it is far from the longest. What it lacks in length it makes up for in depth and clarity. The U.S. Mail Boat Cruise, operating since the 1830s, still delivers mail to lakeside cottages by water, offering a 3-hour narrated trip up and down the lake — one of the most charming lake experiences in the state. The village of Skaneateles on the northern shore offers distinctive shops, restaurants, and galleries. The lake sits across Onondaga, Cayuga, and Cortland counties.
16. Black Lake – Premier Fishing Destination in the 1000 Islands Region
| Surface Area | ~12 sq mi (~7,761 acres) |
|---|---|
| Length | ~20 miles |
| Max Depth | ~29 ft |
| Location | St. Lawrence County, near Ogdensburg |
Black Lake stretches for about 20 miles through St. Lawrence County, less than five miles north of the Saint Lawrence Seaway. Carved out of bedrock by the region’s last glaciers, it is fed by the Indian River and Fish Creek and drains via the Oswegatchie River into the St. Lawrence. Its shallow, clear water, numerous sandbars, shoals, and rocky islands provide excellent habitat for a diverse array of game fish — and anglers have been making the pilgrimage here for over a century.
Black Lake’s target species include crappie, smallmouth and largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskie, channel catfish, and yellow perch. Several family-run fishing resorts have operated on the lake for nearly a century, some with boat rentals, bait shops, and cottages. Beyond fishing, the surrounding region offers unique cultural attractions including Boldt Castle and Singer Castle along the nearby St. Lawrence Seaway, as well as the Frederick Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg. Amish farms along the country roads near the lake sell fresh produce, baked goods, and crafts.
17. Cranberry Lake – The Least Developed Lake in New York
| Surface Area | ~11 sq mi (~6,975 acres) |
|---|---|
| Max Depth | ~38 ft |
| State-Owned Shoreline | ~80% |
| Location | St. Lawrence County, Adirondacks (remote) |
Deep in the northern Adirondacks, Cranberry Lake is one of the least developed significant lakes in New York. Approximately 80% of its shoreline is state-owned and protected, buffering it from the recreation pressures and pollution that affect more accessible lakes. It is considered the third largest body of water in the Adirondack Park. The lake is surrounded by Adirondack Wild Forest and Wilderness areas, with much of the surrounding land only accessible by boat or on foot — which is precisely what gives it its wild-place character.
The Cranberry Lake Biological Station (CLBS), run by the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, has operated on the lake since 1928 and is one of the most important freshwater biology field research stations in the Northeast. The station’s location on the lake makes it ideal for studying aquatic ecosystems and watershed dynamics. The lake’s forests host bear, beaver, otter, and an impressive array of bird life. On a peninsula extending into the lake from the north, Bear Mountain offers a strenuous but rewarding mile-long hike to panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness.
18. Owasco Lake – Sixth Largest of the Eleven Finger Lakes
| Surface Area | ~10 sq mi (~6,665 acres) |
|---|---|
| Length | 11.1 miles |
| Width | 1.3 miles |
| Max Depth | 177 ft |
| Location | Cayuga County; Auburn at north end |
Owasco Lake is the sixth largest of the eleven Finger Lakes, lying 30 miles south of Syracuse and 66 miles south of Rochester in Cayuga County. The name Owasco translates roughly to “crossing” or “floating bridge” from a Mohawk and Iroquois term, referencing an early portage route across the lake. The city of Auburn sits at the northern end and draws its drinking water from the lake. The lake is 11.1 miles long, 1.3 miles wide, and reaches a maximum depth of 177 feet — shallow enough to warm up faster than the deeper Finger Lakes in summer, making it popular for swimming and water skiing.
The lake contains lake trout, brown and rainbow trout, landlocked salmon, smallmouth bass, walleye, yellow perch, and northern pike. Auburn is also home to the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park and the Seward House Museum — making Owasco a natural base for history as well as recreation.
19. Raquette Lake – Largest Natural Lake in the Adirondacks
| Surface Area | ~8 sq mi (~5,270 acres) |
|---|---|
| Shoreline | ~100 miles (very irregular) |
| Max Depth | ~95 ft |
| Location | Hamilton County, central Adirondacks |
Raquette Lake is the largest natural lake in the Adirondack Park, set in the heart of Hamilton County. It was named after a large stack of raquettes (the French word for snowshoes) reportedly found by early explorers near the South Inlet. Roughly 80% of the lake’s shoreline is state-owned, preserving its wild character. The lake connects with a network of Adirondack waterways, making it a hub for canoe and paddling routes.
The hamlet of Raquette Lake on the lake’s southwestern bay was the epicenter of the great Adirondack Great Camp era. In the late 19th century, industrialist William West Durant built lavish private wilderness estates here for wealthy clients including Alfred Vanderbilt, J.P. Morgan, and Collis P. Huntington. Today, Great Camp Sagamore — a 27-building National Historic Landmark on the lake’s southern shore — is open for day tours and overnight stays, offering an unmatched window into Gilded Age Adirondack life. Scenic boat tours of the lake aboard the W.W. Durant, a replica steamboat, are also available.
20. Fulton Chain of Lakes – A Historic Adirondack Waterway
| Number of Lakes | 8 (First through Eighth Lake) |
|---|---|
| Largest Lake | Fourth Lake |
| Max Depth (Fourth Lake) | ~82 ft |
| Location | Herkimer County, near Old Forge and Inlet |
The Fulton Chain of Lakes is a series of eight connected Adirondack lakes running roughly 16 miles from the hamlet of Inlet to the dam at Old Forge. Named after Governor DeWitt Clinton’s Secretary of State Robert Fulton, the chain has served as a recreational corridor since the late 19th century. The lakes are navigable as a continuous waterway, with each lake connecting to the next via short natural streams or canal channels.
Fourth Lake is the largest of the eight, with a maximum depth of about 82 feet. The chain is a prime destination for lake trout fishing in summer and ice fishing in winter, and also supports Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout, northern pike, tiger muskie, smallmouth and largemouth bass, and yellow perch. The Northern Forest Canoe Trail begins at Old Forge Ponds and follows the Fulton Chain north before continuing hundreds of miles into northern New York and beyond.
Bald Mountain, whose trail begins just north of Fourth Lake, offers one of the Adirondacks’ most popular summit hikes, with a panoramic view that sweeps across all eight lakes of the chain. Summer cottages dot the shorelines of the developed lower lakes, while the upper lakes (Sixth through Eighth) remain quieter, with lean-tos and backcountry campsites accessible only by water.
Final Words
With more than 7,600 freshwater lakes, New York State offers an almost limitless range of lake experiences — from the massive Great Lakes on its borders to the crystalline Finger Lakes wine country, the remote Adirondack wilderness, and the historic waterways of the North Country. Whether you’re drawn to world-class fishing, wine trails, paddling routes, or simply the peace of a quiet shoreline, New York’s lakes are among the most diverse and rewarding in the entire country.
Proud owner of https://travelyouman.com/