Onondaga County Lake Quality
New York, 4 lakes, average grade C (Fair)
Only 4 lakes in Onondaga 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. Onondaga 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. Skaneateles Lake (A) is the cleanest in the county.
Quick Answers for Onondaga County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Skaneateles Lake, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or check the official New York fishing regulations.
Fishing in Onondaga County
All Lakes in Onondaga County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Skaneateles Lake | A | 27.4 ft | - |
| 2 | Crooked Lake | B | 12.6 ft | - |
| 3 | Otisco Lake | D | 5.2 ft | - |
| 4 | Jamesville Reservoir | D | 5.3 ft | - |
Other Counties in New York
See how Onondaga County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all 17 states.
Where to stay near Onondaga County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.