Hemlock Lake is one of the eleven Finger Lakes located in western New York. It is unique in that it is one of two Finger Lakes with almost completely undeveloped shorelines. This undeveloped shore and hills surrounding the lake give the lake a wild feel that is uncommon in this part of New York State and more akin to what can be found in the Adirondacks.
Hemlock Lake is a great place to paddle and fish in the Finger Lakes area.
Boats are restricted to 17-feet in length and motors bust be 10 horsepower or less. Swimming is not allowed.
There are boat launches at both the north and south ends of the lake.
We recommend the Take A Paddle: Finger Lakes guidebook for those looking to paddle Hemlock Lake.
Hemlock Lake offers great sport fishing, with lake trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, and landlocked salmon. The lake also has good warm water sport fishing with smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and chain pickerel.
Hemlock Lake and its sister lake, Canadice Lake, serve as the primary water supply for the City of Rochester. The city began using the lakes as a source of water in 1876 when a 16-mile pipeline was constructed to connect the lake to the city’s water distribution system. Then in 1895, the city purchased the land surrounding the lakes to protect and improve water quality. All of the farms, hotels, and cottages on the land were condemned and torn down. In 2010, New York State purchased the land from the city with a commitment to maintaining the long-standing protection of the lakes.
When visiting Hemlock Lake you can help protect the lake by not leaving any trash or waste behind. Swimming is not allowed in Hemlock Lake. In addition, boaters should follow the Clean, Drain, Dry principles to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species.
The Seneca Nation referred to the lake as Onehda Tecarnedodi. Old growth forest can be found at the southern end of the lake.
Land cover in the Hemlock Lake watershed. Map created with Model My Watershed.
Open Water
3.19mi²
Perennial Ice/Snow
0.00mi²
Developed, Open Space
2.14mi²
Developed, Low
0.52mi²
Developed, Medium
0.06mi²
Developed, High
0.01mi²
Barren Land
Deciduous Forest
18.90mi²
Evergreen Forest
1.76mi²
Mixed Forest
6.52mi²
Shrub/Scrub
0.26mi²
Grassland/Herbaceous
0.09mi²
Pasture/Hay
4.16mi²
Cultivated Crops
4.38mi²
Woody Wetlands
0.94mi²
Emergent Wetlands
0.29mi²
7.38%
0.00%
4.96%
1.21%
0.14%
0.02%
43.73%
4.06%
15.10%
0.61%
0.21%
9.62%
10.14%
2.17%
0.66%
Stream network and watershed slope in the Hemlock Lake watershed. Red areas indicate locations with steep slopes. Map created with Model My Watershed.
1st Order Streams
81.51mi
2nd Order Streams
19.94mi
3rd Order Steams
7.23mi
4th Order Steams
10.35mi
Length in agricultural areas
6.67mi
Length in non-agricultural areas
112.35mi
Total stream length
119.02mi
8.77%
5.91%
2.16%
0.03%
Hydrologic soil groups in the Hemlock Lake watershed. Map created with Model My Watershed.
A – High Infiltration
1.13mi²
A/D – High/Very Slow Infiltration
0.00mi²
B – Moderate Infiltration
6.16mi²
B/D – Medium/Very Slow Infiltration
0.75mi²
C – Slow Infiltration
11.98mi²
C/D – Medium/Very Slow Infiltration
3.50mi²
D – Very Slow Infiltration
19.70mi²
2.62%
0.00%
14.25%
1.74%
27.72%
8.10%
45.57%
Water Quality Data & Lake Management
Physical Properties
This status does not necessarily represent the current status of HABs in the lake. It indicates whether HABs have ever been reported in the lake.
43.24mi² Hemlock Lake and its sister lake, Canadice Lake, serve as the primary water supply for the City of Rochester. The city began using the
Harmful algal blooms, commonly referred to as HABs, occur due to the rapid growth of specific species of algae. HABs are most often the results
Invasive species are non-native organisms that outcompete native species when introduced to a new environment. They can be animals, plants, or disease-causing organisms. These species
PO Box 884
Saranac Lake, NY 12983
info@allaboutlakes.org
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.