Lake Keuka
- Thread starter jmat5
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2000
- RO Number
- 790
- Messages
- 372
I have family up there and have visited the area as long as I can remember. My cousin currently has a home in Hammondsport and has a fabulous view straight up the lake toward Bluff Point. I enjoy looking at the fine lakefront homes, and the village of Hammondsport is postcard-pretty. Keuka is my favorite lake for boating- clear water, numerous waterside eateries. It's big enough to not feel crowded even on weekends. Most of the boat traffic is local folks because there's only a handful of motels and few marinas. Fortunately, it's not overrun by jetskiis. There is a 45 MPH speed limit on the lake.
It is deep (I think over 300') and the dropoff from shore is pretty steep. The water stays cold well into July, so bring wetsuits for skiing. There's a nice state park at the northwest tip with a swimming beach. As I recall, the only navigational markers are in the Penn Yan canal and around Branchport, where the water is shallow. The water clarity is stunning- I've often seen the bottom in 20+ feet and can watch the fish hit my bait. Speaking of fishing, bass and muskie are better on the smaller lakes (Waneta and Lamoka, just to the east) but Keuka does have lake trout.
Rob
It is deep (I think over 300') and the dropoff from shore is pretty steep. The water stays cold well into July, so bring wetsuits for skiing. There's a nice state park at the northwest tip with a swimming beach. As I recall, the only navigational markers are in the Penn Yan canal and around Branchport, where the water is shallow. The water clarity is stunning- I've often seen the bottom in 20+ feet and can watch the fish hit my bait. Speaking of fishing, bass and muskie are better on the smaller lakes (Waneta and Lamoka, just to the east) but Keuka does have lake trout.
Rob
Rob,
Thanks for all the great information. Would you have any suggestions as to what part of the lake to stay? I would be looking for a lakefront home with a dock. I don't know if one area is better than any other. Looking for a family type spot.
Thanks for all the great information. Would you have any suggestions as to what part of the lake to stay? I would be looking for a lakefront home with a dock. I don't know if one area is better than any other. Looking for a family type spot.
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2000
- RO Number
- 790
- Messages
- 372
Joe-
I'd stay away from Branchport only because it's shallow and often weedy. My favorite area is Hammondsport (at the southern tip), but almost all the lake frontage there is public.
Here's their website: http://www.hammondsport.com/index.htm
Just about anywhere else on the lake is OK but a lot of the west side properties have very steep slopes from road to house to water. If you have older kids, consider a place closer to Penn Yan, which is at the top of the east fork and the largest town on the lake. Movie theaters, pizza places, etc. are here.
If you want peace and quiet, consider looking for a property near the bluff. Keuka College is located in this area and it's away from the main roads, but only 15 minutes from Penn Yan. The largest and most expensive homes are in that area.
Finally- I suggest you get a copy of the free "2007 Southern Tier Shopper Vacation Guide". It's got TONS of information about the area and is a good source for finding a rental. I can't find a link online, but I have a copy we picked up last month when we were there. No phone # is listed, but their address is 1 Myrtle Ave, Hammondsport, NY 14840. Hopefully they're willing to send you a copy.
Rob
PS- Here's another site I just found. I was wrong about the lake depth- they say the max. is 183 feet. Enjoy! :http://www.keukalake.com/
I'd stay away from Branchport only because it's shallow and often weedy. My favorite area is Hammondsport (at the southern tip), but almost all the lake frontage there is public.
Here's their website: http://www.hammondsport.com/index.htm
Just about anywhere else on the lake is OK but a lot of the west side properties have very steep slopes from road to house to water. If you have older kids, consider a place closer to Penn Yan, which is at the top of the east fork and the largest town on the lake. Movie theaters, pizza places, etc. are here.
If you want peace and quiet, consider looking for a property near the bluff. Keuka College is located in this area and it's away from the main roads, but only 15 minutes from Penn Yan. The largest and most expensive homes are in that area.
Finally- I suggest you get a copy of the free "2007 Southern Tier Shopper Vacation Guide". It's got TONS of information about the area and is a good source for finding a rental. I can't find a link online, but I have a copy we picked up last month when we were there. No phone # is listed, but their address is 1 Myrtle Ave, Hammondsport, NY 14840. Hopefully they're willing to send you a copy.
Rob
PS- Here's another site I just found. I was wrong about the lake depth- they say the max. is 183 feet. Enjoy! :http://www.keukalake.com/