Paddling Canadice Lake

Canadice Lake is a get-away for paddlers

Paddling a quiet lake is like getting lost in another world...

...and Canadice Lake is that other world.

No joke!

Part of the Hemlock-Canadice State Forest, Canadice Lake has a completely undeveloped shoreline and is literally a little slice of heaven.

25 miles from the city of Rochester, Canadice Lake offers an amazing get-away for paddlers.

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Why is Canadice Lake undeveloped?

Now why, nestled amongst the other bustling lakes of upstate New York, is Canadice Lake completely undeveloped, you ask?

Well, it goes like this:

Back in the late 1800's, people in the city of Rochester, 25 miles north of Canadice Lake, started to get sick from the drinking water. So Rochester started to buy up ALL the properties on Canadice's neighboring lake, Hemlock. Aqueducts were constructed to move the pure waters of the lake to the city. 

In the 1950's, Canadice Lake was also acquired to provide additional clean water to the city of Rochester. All properties on Canadice Lake were then systematically destroyed and the shoreline returned to a state of wild.

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What does an undeveloped Finger Lake mean for paddlers?

I get that you might be saying, "So what?" about Canadice Lake's history.

But Canadice Lake is now a protected state forest run by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) and today gives city-goers and visitors alike a quiet get-away spot for paddlers. The shore-line is completely wild - no private properties to navigate around. You can take a rest stop nearly anywhere on the lake.

Among the Finger Lakes, this is a little unusual. Hemlock Lake, Canadice's neighbor within the state forest, is also undeveloped. But the other nine Finger Lakes do have shoreline development and allow larger water craft than Canadice Lake. So for paddlers, Canadice Lake is a little slice of heaven.

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Paddling rules on Canadice Lake

There are a few rules for use on Canadice Lake - but don't be deterred from visiting this little slice of paradise!

Canadice Lake is 3 miles long and can be circumnavigated in about 4 hours on a calm day. 

Since it's a drinking water source for people, New York State has imposed these rules:

• Non-motorized craft are limited to 24-feet in length
• No paddling north of the buoys (the northernmost 500 feet of the lake)
• No swimming
• No bathing
• No wading
• If you're fishing, hunting, or trapping, refrain from cleaning, gutting, and disposing entrails within 100-feet of the shore

I highly recommend you check out the rules and regulations page on the NYS DEC's website for Canadice Lake before you make your paddling trip, so you know you have everything you need for an amazing day on the lake.

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Where can I launch my canoe, kayak, or SUP on Canadice Lake?

I'm glad you asked! There are a couple spots you can launch from on Canadice Lake. Read on to find out.

Canadice Northeast Boat Launch

Kiosk and marble bench site

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Where can I rent a kayak, canoe, or SUP on Canadice Lake?

Bringing all your luggage PLUS kayaks, a canoe, or SUPs can be a lot! Never fear, Canadice Lake will hook you up!

Canadice Lake Outfitters

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