Otisco Lake is the eighth largest of the eleven Finger Lakes and the most easterly. The lake is adjacent to Skaneateles Lake. A unique feature of Otisco Lake is the causeway located at the southern end of the lake, separating it into two different lake basins. As with many of the Finger Lakes, Otisco Lake’s name has indigenous origins, but the exact interpretation is debated with Us-te-ke, ostickney, and ostick all possibilities.
Otisco is the closest of the Finger Lakes to Syracuse, NY making it a popular destination for boating and fishing.
Aquatic invasive species are present in Otisco Lake, though some species that are present in other Finger Lakes, such as hydrilla, are not present. It is especially important that anyone launching or retreiving a boat from the lake follow the Clean, Drain, Dry principles. These simple and easy steps are the best way to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species and help keep Otisco Lake healthy.
Otisco Lake also has also had harmful algal blooms (HABs) reported. HABs are dangerous to people, pets, wildlife, and fish. One of the leading causes of HAB formation is excess nutrients entering a lake. Lakeshore owners and local farms should follow best management practices to reduce nutrient pollution. These include maintaining healthy lakeshore and streamside vegetated buffers, reducing the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and reducing stormwater runoff.
Land cover in the Otisco Lake watershed. This map may be shared with attribution to AllAboutLakes.org under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Open Water
3.59mi²
Perennial Ice/Snow
0.00mi²
Developed, Open Space
2.02mi²
Developed, Low
0.75mi²
Developed, Medium
0.16mi²
Developed, High
0.02mi²
Barren Land
Deciduous Forest
14.50mi²
Evergreen Forest
0.79mi²
Mixed Forest
1.32mi²
Shrub/Scrub
0.62mi²
Grassland/Herbaceous
0.16mi²
Pasture/Hay
5.51mi²
Cultivated Crops
11.51mi²
Woody Wetlands
1.24mi²
Emergent Wetlands
0.18mi²
8.40%
0.00%
4.78%
1.78%
0.37%
0.05%
34.22%
1.86%
3.12%
1.47%
0.37%
12.99%
27.16%
2.92%
0.42%
Stream network and watershed slope in the Otisco Lake watershed. Red areas indicate locations with steep slopes. This map may be shared with attribution to AllAboutLakes.org under CC BY-SA 4.0.
1st Order Streams
21.37mi
2nd Order Streams
18.98mi
3rd Order Steams
4.48mi
5.16%
1.46%
0.00%
A – High Infiltration
3.82mi²
A/D – High/Very Slow Infiltration
0.38mi²
B – Moderate Infiltration
18.19mi²
B/D – Medium/Very Slow Infiltration
7.00mi²
C – Slow Infiltration
1.53mi²
C/D – Medium/Very Slow Infiltration
0.94mi²
D – Very Slow Infiltration
10.53mi²
9.01%
0.89%
42.92%
16.51%
3.61%
2.22%
24.84%
Lake Protection Groups
Water Quality Data & Lake Management
Research & Reports
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.
42.38mi² Aquatic invasive species are present in Otisco Lake, though some species that are present in other Finger Lakes, such as hydrilla, are not present.
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
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