HEMLOCK LAKE

Length: 7 miles
Width: 0.5 miles
Depth: 91 feet

Just 25 miles south of Rochester, Hemlock Lake offers a unique experience in the Finger Lakes where most lakeshores are developed. The beautifully wooded shorelines and hillsides of Hemlock and smaller Sister lake, Canadice Lake, provide an atmosphere often experienced only in more remote areas. 

Visitors are asked to respect the very sensitive area as a source of public drinking water. Swimming is not allowed in this lake.

Visit the Department of Environmental Conservation online to learn more about which activities are subject to rules and regulations in the area.

 

THINGS TO DO – ON HEMLOCK LAKE

Boat

Boating on Hemlock Lake

A boat size/horsepower limitation contributes importantly to the “unspoiled” atmosphere. Because the lake is a water source to Rochester, shore development is restricted and boats can be no longer than 16 feet and outboard motors no larger than 10 horsepower. Swimming is not permitted in the lake. Find out more on our Hemlock Lake Boating Guide. Public boat access is available only at the northeast corner of the lake, off Rix Road, and at the southeast corner off Route 15A. Both unimproved access points have gravel ramps.

Hemlock Lake Boating Guide

Fishing

Fishing on Hemlock Lake

The Dec annually stocks lake trout, brown trout, and landlocked salmon populations. The rainbow trout fishery is supported by natural reproduction from Springwater Creek.Other common species found here are: smallmouth bass; largemouth bass; chain pickerel; smelt; alewives; bullhead; yellow perch; rock bass; pumpkinseed; white crappie. Finger Lakes and Tributary Fishing Regulations Apply.

Hemlock Lake Fishing Guide

 

THINGS TO DO AROUND HEMLOCK LAKE

Hiking

Rob’s Trail
Address: 6038-6152 Bald Hill Rd, Springwater, NY 14560
Website 
Map
Rob’s trail preserve features the following trails: Loop Trail (1.75 miles), Canadice Lake Trail (.75 miles), Hemlock Trail (4.8 miles; to shoreline is 1.5 miles, to boat launch is 4.8 miles), Connector Trail (.28 miles). The trail, which connects Canadice and Hemlock lake, is named after the late Rob van der Stricht, former board chairman of the local chapter of The Nature Conservancy.

 

Parks

New York State DEC’s Hemlock-Canadice State Forest
Address:Bald Hill Rd, Hemlock, NY 14466
Website
This 6,684-acre property is truly unique – two beautiful Finger Lakes with largely undeveloped shorelines. Hemlock and Canadice Lakes have provided drinking water for the City of Rochester for more than 100 years.
Over the decades, the land was reforested, but a few traces of its past, such as stone walls, remain. Today, Hemlock and Canadice Lakes, with their steep forested shorelines guarding the deep clear water, show visitors a glimpse of the past, when all the Finger Lakes were wild lakes. Learn more here.

Hemlock Lake Park

 

Address: 7412 Rix Hill Rd, Hemlock, NY 14466
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This lakeside park, located on Rix Road, has a beautiful view of the lake looking south, a wonderful picnic area with grills,a gazebo perfect for your instagram selfie, and large fields for play.There is also a nature trail further up Rix Road that follows the old settlement road.

 

HISTORY

The Seneca people used the lake and its surrounding area for hunting and fishing near the south end of the lake up until the late 1770s. In September 1779 General John Sullivan and his army drove the natives away from the lake as part of the Sullivan Expedition.

In the 1790s Hemlock Lake received its first white settlers. Most of these settlers were involved in the lumber industry and built their homes out of wooden slabs by the outlet which is located at the north end of the lake. For a time, this place was known as “Slab City”. The lake was used to float logs to Slab City in the summer months as well as to haul logs on the ice in the winter time.

RELATED PAGES

Hemlock Lake Boating

Hemlock Lake Fishing

FLX Swimming

Finger Lakes Swimming Guide 

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