Honeoye Lake is one of the Finger Lakes in New York State. Honeoye Lake is
4.5 miles in length and has a maximum depth of 30 feet. The lake is just
over 3/4 of a mile wide. Honeoye Lake is the second smallest of the Finger
Lakes and is located to the west of the major lakes. To its west are other
minor Finger Lakes: Canadice Lake, Hemlock Lake, and Conesus Lake. As with
the other Finger Lakes, Honeoye Lake was created by the advance and
subsequent melting of continental glaciations. The surface is about 245
meters above sea level. The lake is long and narrow with a roughly
north-south orientation. Its surface area is slightly more than 7 square
kilometers. It is also relatively shallow and warmer than the other Finger
Lakes. Its outlet is Honeoye Creek, which flows northward. A major feeder
stream, called Honeoye Inlet, enters the lake at the south end. Honeoye is
10th in size of the 11 Finger Lakes.
The hamlet of Honeoye in the Town of Richmond is located at its northern
end. The Honeoye Lake Park Association administers a large tract of summer
cottages and year-round dwellings known as the Times-Union Tract just south
of the hamlet on the east side of the lake. This beautiful area offers lake
side dwelling, amazing sunsets, and a relaxed country setting for both
vacationers and residents.
The shore of the lake has a high density of recreation homes, many with
docks for boats and other recreation vehicles. In warmer weather, fishing is
considered exceptional in Honeoye Lake. Walleye, bass, perch and bluegill
are some of the recreational and tournament fish that can be found. The
water is clear and clean; ideal for boating, tubing, water skiing, wake
boarding, and other water sports. The Ring of Fire tradition is annually
celebrated Labor Day weekend by area residents. Flares are lit around the
lakeshore to signify summer's end and to recognize the wealth of the Finger
Lakes harvest. In the winter, the water freezes quickly and maintains its
solid surface throughout the season. It is a prime location for ice fishing,
skating, and ice boating.
Honeoye is a Seneca word translated as "a lying finger," or "where the
finger lies." Most of the lake is within the town of Richmond but a smaller
southwestern part is in the town of Canadice. The hamlet of Honeoye is just
north of the lake.
Honeoye Lake is a warm water fishery with the primary species of fish being
walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, bluegill,
pumpkinseed, yellow perch, rock bass, and black crappie. Walleye are the
only species stocked into the lake by the DEC with over 8 million walleye
fry stocked here annually.
• Food and Beverage of choice. ( Beer, Wine, Liquor is ok )
• Appropriate seasonal clothing. Rain gear is a plus.
• Polarized sunglasses can be a great help.
• Sunblock.
• A cooler for the catch if you choose to keep some of your catch
