Located in southwest Ontario County, Canadice Lake lies 30 miles south of Rochester. It is the smallest of the Finger Lakes whose shorelines are virtually undeveloped.
Physical Features:
Elevation: 1096 feet
Area: 649 acres
Length: 3 miles
Maximum width: 0.3 miles
Maximum depth: 95 feet
Thermocline: about 30 feet
County and Town: Ontario County, Town of Canadice
Plant Life
The largest weedbed is located at the lake's southern extremity. Due to the steepness of the east and west shores, there is only a narrow band of weeds along them. Types of weeds include milfoil, pondweeds and eelgrass.
Public Access Sites
Public boat access is available on the lake's east side near the intersection of Canadice Road and Birch Hill Road, via an unimproved gravel ramp. At the south end of the lake is a cartop launch. There are other informal access points along the east shore suitable for cartop boats, shore fishing and ice fishing.
For more information on these launches including Google Maps driving directions, visit the Boat Launch Sites for Ontario County page.
Fish Species
Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Brown Bullhead, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Lake Trout, Brown Trout
Fishing Regulations
Finger Lakes and Tributary Fishing Regulations Apply.
Fish Management
Fishery surveys begun in the 1950's revealed a good lake trout population. Records show that lake trout were stocked into Canadice Lake as early as 1942. To diversify the fishery, brown trout and rainbow trout were later added. Stocking of all three continues to the present time along with occasional stocking of surplus landlocked salmon.
Trout and salmon may be taken year-round at Canadice. Check your Fishing Regulations Guide for size and bag limits. Smelt and alewives provide the primary salmonid forage with some contributed from yellow perch and minnows.
Although Canadice is best suited for salmonid and smallmouth bass, it also provides significant fishing opportunities for largemouth bass and chain pickerel in its limited, shallow water habitat. Similarly, "panfish," including rock bass, yellow perch, bluegills, pumpkinseeds and bullhead, are also important contributors to the fishery.
An ongoing angler diary cooperator program for gamefish provides DEC fisheries staff with useful data on population trends.
Note:
Fishing Canadice Lake offers a unique experience in western New York, where most lakeshores are heavily developed. The beautifully wooded shores and hillsides of Canadice, and bigger sister Hemlock Lake, provide an atmosphere approaching that experienced only in relatively remote areas like the Adirondacks and Canadian provinces. The boat size/horsepower limitation contributes importantly to the "unspoiled" atmosphere.Special regulations apply. See the Freshwater Fishing Regulation Guide (PDF)
