Monroe County Lake Quality
New York, 5 lakes, average grade C (Fair)
Only 5 lakes in Monroe County carry an active grade. The county-level summary is therefore representative of those specific lakes, not necessarily of every water body in the county. Monroe County averages to a C. The distribution behind that average matters more than the letter: a few stressed lakes versus many decent ones can produce the same average as the inverse.
Most of the county's monitored lakes are shallow — under 50 feet — which means wind keeps the water column mixed all summer and sediment-bound phosphorus releases back into the surface layer whenever the bottom is disturbed. Irondequoit Bay Lake (C) is the cleanest in the county.
Quick Answers for Monroe County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Irondequoit Bay Lake, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or check the official New York fishing regulations.
Fishing in Monroe County
All Lakes in Monroe County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Irondequoit Bay Lake | C | 7 ft | 27.5 µg/L |
| 2 | Irondequoit Bay Lake | D | 5.3 ft | - |
| 3 | Lk Ontario Lake | D | - | 126 µg/L |
| 4 | Lake Lacoma | F | 3 ft | - |
Other Counties in New York
See how Monroe County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all 15 states.
Where to stay near Monroe County
Top-rated places to stay near Monroe County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.