Chautauqua Lake is located in the southeast corner of Chautauqua County and is the largest inland lake in western New York. It's one of the highest navigable waters in North America and is divided into two basins of nearly equal size by Bemus Point.
Physical Features
Elevation: 1,308 feet
Area: 13,156 acres
Shoreline Length: 42.5 miles
Max Depth: North basin 75 feet, south basin 19 feet
Mean Depth: North basin 25 feet, south basin 11 feet
County and Town: Chautauqua County, Towns of Chautauqua, Ellery, North Harmony, Ellicott and Busti
Access
North Basin
Long Point State Park: On east side of lake off Route 430, between Bemus Point and Maple Springs. Site offers shore fishing, hard surface boat launch, marina and day-use area. Parking for 56 cars with trailers and 70 cars. Fee.
DEC Prendergast Point Launch: West side of lake. From Route 394 turn onto Prendergast Blvd., turn right at end of street. Site offers shore fishing and hard surface boat launch. Parking for 50 cars and trailers.
Midway State Park: On east side of lake off Route 430. Turn into park entrance and follow road to parking lot at intersection with Chautauqua Ave. Park offers shore fishing and ice fishing access.
Tom's Point: Part of DEC Chautauqua Lake Fish & Wildlife Management Area. On west side of lake. From Route 394, turn east onto Stow Road and then left at second intersection. Site offers 1,920 feet of shoreline access and parking for 8 cars.
South Basin
DEC Bemus Point Launch: Located on east side of lake on Lakeside Ave. in the Village of Bemus Point. Hard surface boat launch with parking for 30 cars and trailers.
Cheney Farm: Part of DEC Chautauqua Lake Fish & Wildlife Management Area. On east side of lake off Route 430, about 2 miles south of the Village of Bemus Point. Site offers 3,446 feet of shoreline access and parking for 5 cars.
Stow Farm: Part of DEC Chautauqua Lake Fish & Wildlife Management Area. On west side of lake off Route 394, 0.5 mile south of I-86 intersection. Site offers 1,100 feet of shoreline access and parking for 6 cars.
For more information on these launches including Google Maps driving directions, visit the Boat Launch Sites for Chautauqua County page.
Accessible Features
From the Prendergast Point Parking Area, wheelchair accessible features include the:
- Trailered boat launch with dock;
- Trailered boat launch with dock; and
- Portable toilet (seasonal)
Visit the DEC Accessible Recreation Destinations web page for additional accessible recreation opportunities.
Fish Species
Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, muskellunge, walleye, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, bluegill, black crappie, white crappie, white perch, white bass, brown bullhead, yellow bullhead, white sucker, common carp, rock bass, longnose gar and golden shiner.
Fishing
Chautauqua Lake supports a diverse sportfishery, with angling for walleye, muskellunge, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and several species of panfish. The shallower south basin has extensive weed beds and some productive shoals. In the north basin, weed beds are found in the shallow bays and in the very northern section. The north basin is also known for its numerous, deep, kettle holes. The north basin stratifies during summer with a thermocline occurring around 30 feet. There can be anoxic conditions below the thermocline from July through August. For current fishing information visit the Lake Erie Fishing Hotline or call 716-855-3474.