Lake · Onondaga, New York
Skaneateles Lake
Current Lake Rating
Unavailable
Current lake conditions cannot be rated because the available water observations are too old.
Rating confidence: Low
Should I Go?
Not Enough Data
Fishing guidance for this destination based on available lake conditions, weather, and seasonal context. It is not a boating, swimming, ice, or access-safety rating.
Why
- The latest water observations are too old to support a reliable fishing-window recommendation.
Watch for
- The readings shown below are historical and may not reflect current conditions.
Current Readings
- Water temperature
- 14.9 °C
- Last updated
- Oct 18, 2025, 4:15 AM
≈ 58.8 °F · Stale observation
Source: USGS · SKANEATELES LAKE AT SKANEATELES NY · 04236000 · Stale data
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Weather Near Lake
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
60°F
Feels like
60°F
Wind
4 mph NW
Wind gust
6 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 3:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this lake
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.01 in
Little recent rainfall near this lake.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Clear
Temp 60°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 8 AM
Clear
Temp 62°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 12 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 71°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Sat 4 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 72°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Sat 8 PM
Clear
Temp 65°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Sun 12 AM
Clear
Temp 61°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Partly cloudy
High 73°F / Low 58°F
Chance 5%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 15 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 74°F / Low 54°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 15 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Drizzle
High 73°F / Low 51°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 10 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 75°F / Low 56°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 10 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this lake's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence lake level and access, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, and reservoir operations where applicable.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Lake Elevation History
Elevation is reported relative to the datum used by this USGS monitoring site. Elevations from different lakes or datums should not be directly compared.
Loading historical elevation…
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Skaneateles Lake.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Fifth-largest Finger Lake with primary wild lake trout plus annually stocked rainbow trout and landlocked salmon (DEC also calls them Atlantic salmon), along with bass, yellow perch, and a managed walleye population under liberal harvest rules. Distinct from Cayuga and Seneca stocking and harvest tables.
Target species
Lake Trout
Salvelinus namaycush
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
DEC states natural reproduction accounts for all of the lake trout in Skaneateles Lake.
Source: NYSDEC
Landlocked Salmon
Salmo salar
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
DEC lists Atlantic salmon (also called landlocked salmon) and states yearly Atlantic salmon stocking. Recorded as landlocked-salmon; not duplicated as atlantic-salmon.
Source: NYSDEC
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
DEC states Skaneateles Lake is stocked yearly with rainbow trout.
Source: NYSDEC
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
DEC states smallmouth bass fishing is good throughout the lake.
Source: NYSDEC
Yellow Perch
Perca flavescens
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
DEC notes ice fishing is good for yellow perch.
Source: NYSDEC
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus nigricans
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
DEC Skaneateles species list includes largemouth bass.
Source: NYSDEC
Walleye
Sander vitreus
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
DEC lists walleye and documents liberal walleye harvest regulations intended to limit walleye population growth.
Source: NYSDEC
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
Deep clear Finger Lake (DEC max depth about 300 feet) with limited aquatic vegetation except at the north and south ends. Coldwater salmonids dominate open water; the south end is noted for panfish and pickerel habitat.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Trolling
Access and Public Fishing Rights
DEC documents a Route 41A DEC launch south of the village of Skaneateles, village shore access at Skaneateles Park, and Andrew R. Fuller Park access in Cortland County. Confirm current Onondaga and Cortland County launch listings. Grout Brook tributary Public Fishing Rights are separate from this lake profile.
Stocking information
DEC states Skaneateles is stocked yearly with rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon (landlocked salmon) and that natural reproduction accounts for all lake trout. Walleye harvest rules are intended to limit walleye population growth rather than build a stocked walleye fishery.
- Stocked
Landlocked Salmon
Stocked · NYSDEC
- Stocked
Rainbow Trout
Stocked · NYSDEC
Official sources
Regulations can change. Always verify current rules on the official NYSDEC page before fishing; linked official regulations control. Finger Lakes and tributaries special regulations include lake-specific Skaneateles salmonid and walleye rules; tributary-only rules are not summarized as lake regulation segments.
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Midge larvaGeneral stillwater midge-style family — not a live Chironomidae Hatch claim.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral stillwater streamer family. Not a baitfish or kokanee Hatch event.
- Ant or beetleGeneral shoreline terrestrial family — not a local Hatch calendar.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
Cataloged lake location
Onondaga, New York
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
Lake Details
County
Onondaga
DEC Region
7
Management Category
Finger Lake
Regulation Scope
Skaneateles Lake and tributaries
Regulation Summary
Finger Lakes and tributaries special regulations apply.
Surface Area
8960 acres
Maximum Depth
300 ft
Average Depth
145 ft
Target Species
Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Atlantic Salmon, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Yellow Perch
Public Access
Public
Boat Launch
Available
Description
Fifth-largest Finger Lake in Onondaga, Cortland, and Cayuga counties. USGS publishes water temperature at Skaneateles; lake elevation is not assigned from an active continuous series.
