Finger Lakes

Canandaguia is the fourth largest major Finger Lake. Canandaigua is an Indian name that means "The Chosen Town." It is another precious gem in the Finger Lakes Area. Canandaigua is one of two major Finger Lakes to have an island. The other major Finger Lake with an island is Cayuga Lake. Poor fishing exists around Squaw Island because of carbonate of lime deposits.

HISTORY- Here is a little pioneer history of the Canandaigua Lake Area. The Indians and white settler signed the Pickering Treaty just north of the lake. This granted the white colonist permission to settle the Great Lakes Basin. This parchment that is in the Memorial Museum has the names of famous Indian Chiefs. They are Red Jacket, Cornplanter, Handsome Lake, Farmer's Brother and Fish Carrier.

Also the "Lady of the Lake" is the name of the first steamboat to sail on Canandaigua Lake. In 1823 with a bottle of wine, a reserved young lady named Sally Morris who wore a blue bonnet with a gray ribbon christened the boat.

In the fish rich waters of the lake, the bottom is mud at most depths of 75 feet or more. Along the shoreline of this 16 1/2 square mile lake with a maximum depth of 274 feet you will find rubble and gravel. Canandaigua Lake is 15.8 miles in length with a maximum width is 1 1/2miles at its broadest points.

There are three water sampling stations: One at Black Point at the Yates/ Ontario County line, another at Woodville at the south end of the lake and the last at Otetiana Point at the north end.

LAUNCHES- A public launch is at the northeast corner at Route 5&20 and Main Street (Route 322). This is Canandaigua Lake Marine State Park. Also at the south end of the lake on the west side on Route 21 in Woodville is another public launch. There are private launches located from one end of the lake to another. One is at the northwest corner, one at Vine Valley and another at Hope Point.

There is a healthy population of different fish species in Canandaigua Lake. For the cold water angler lake, brown and rainbow trout are here to be caught. For the angler that targets warm water fish species pickerel, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass can be brought to the net.

Pickerel, the swimming submarine will strike most lures but the one Fred finds most productive is a Mister Twister spinner with a purple tail. Another lure he is successful with is a white, chartreuse or yellow spinnerbait. Both are used over weed beds.

If your preference is pan fishing perch, sun fish both pumpkinseed and blue gills , rock bass, bullhead will take your bait. When still fishing for perch and rock bass use live perch minnows, crayfish or night crawlers.

The main salmonoid forage is smelt & sawbellies in Canandaigua and the optimum temperature for lake trout is 58- 60 degrees. The Trout roam the shallow cool water in April & May. Shallow trolling with a flat line rig is productive.

In the summer time deep troll with down riggers, dipseys or Seth Green Rigs at a depth of 50 to 60 feet. Use sutton spoons or NK- 22 thru NK- 28 as productive lures. If you prefer to anchor and still fish then use live bait like crayfish, minnows and worms.

NAPLES CREEK- At the south end of the lake there is a spring spawn run of rainbow trout. In the springtime drift egg sacks or worms in the creek exploring holes for rainbows. When angling from shore targeting trout little Cleos are the tools needed through the month of May.

When fishing for smallmouth bass in the summer months try anchoring in 25 to 30 feet of water. Use crayfish or perch minnows with light tackle. If you are going to cast lures then crank baits over the rocks and gravel will be successful.

In the autumn months a 1/4 ounce hair or curly tail jig near rocky shoreline or points will put smallmouth in the livewell.

Ice fishing occurs at the north and south ends only. Because of the depth of the lake and the constant current the lake water doesn't freeze completely in winter.

Flower City Sportsmen, Fred's fishing club fishes a bass tournament every year on Cananadaguia. There are 5 to 7 pound largemouth bass brought to the net in the clubs record book of past bass tournaments.

For the hunter, angler and trapper the south end of Canandaigua has Hi Tor Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The main hunting pressures on this WMA are directed toward white tailed deer. Grouse and waterfowl are common.

Trappers target fox, both Red and Gray, some beaver and the raccoons. As in the lake excellent fishing opportunities occur because the West River and Naples Creek flow through this WMA.

Come visit Canandaigua Lake. Hunt, trap, fish, camp or tour the area. Experience this diamond among jewels.