Best Lakes Near Syracuse, NY
29 lakes within 50 miles of Syracuse, ranked on agency water-quality readings.
29 lakes within 50 miles of Syracuse have nutrient and algae readings on record. Seneca Lake Platform in Seneca County leads the set on measured water quality, with about 11.5 ft of clarity. 6 of the 29 have a recorded public access point.
Within reasonable driving distance of Syracuse sit 29 measured lakes, a lake-dense area that gives residents real choice on any given weekend.
The lakes below are sorted on measured water quality. If you have a specific activity in mind, swimming, kayaking, ice-fishing, family-fishing, the activity-specific sub-pages will filter further.
| Lake | Distance | County | Clarity | Depth | Fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seneca Lake Platform | 42.8 mi | Seneca | 11.5 ft | - | 0 |
| Jamesville Reservoir | 6.5 mi | Onondaga | 5.3 ft | - | 0 |
| Pleasant Lake | 13.6 mi | Oswego | 4.4 ft | - | 0 |
| Otisco Lake | 14.3 mi | Onondaga | 5.2 ft | - | 0 |
| Cazenovia Lake | 15.5 mi | Madison | 16.7 ft | - | 0 |
| Skaneateles Lake | 16.9 mi | Onondaga | 27.4 ft | - | 0 |
| Crooked Lake | 18 mi | Onondaga | 12.6 ft | - | 0 |
| Tully Lake | 18.8 mi | Cortland | 11.9 ft | - | 0 |
| Song Lake | 19.3 mi | Cortland | 15.4 ft | - | 0 |
| Deruyter Reservoir | 20.6 mi | Madison | 17.6 ft | - | 0 |
| Panther Lake | 22.8 mi | Oswego | 7.4 ft | - | 0 |
| Tuscarora Lake | 23.4 mi | Madison | 20.5 ft | - | 0 |
| Owasco Lake | 23.6 mi | Cayuga | 11 ft | - | 0 |
| Upper Little York Lake | 23.8 mi | Cortland | 11 ft | - | 0 |
| Eaton Reservoir | 26.1 mi | Madison | 18.2 ft | - | 0 |
| Lake Como | 26.8 mi | Cayuga | 9.4 ft | - | 0 |
| Hatch Lake | 27.9 mi | Madison | 13.4 ft | - | 0 |
| Duck Lake | 28.2 mi | Cayuga | 4.3 ft | - | 0 |
| Bradley Brook Reservoir | 28.7 mi | Madison | 20.7 ft | - | 0 |
| Kasoag Lake | 31.5 mi | Oswego | 8.1 ft | - | 0 |
| Sage Pond | 34 mi | Oswego | 5.4 ft | - | 0 |
| Lake Moraine | 34.5 mi | Madison | 20.3 ft | - | 0 |
| Earlville Lake | 35.8 mi | Madison | 7.8 ft | - | 0 |
| Plymouth Reservoir | 40.5 mi | Chenango | 6.2 ft | - | 0 |
| Cayuga Lake | 40.6 mi | Tompkins | 7.4 ft | - | 0 |
| Genegantslet Lake | 41.3 mi | Chenango | 12 ft | - | 0 |
| Ellis Lake | 42.3 mi | Cortland | 7.8 ft | - | 0 |
| Sodus Bay Lake | 44.1 mi | Wayne | 7.1 ft | - | 0 |
| Chenango Lake | 48.1 mi | Chenango | 16.6 ft | - | 0 |
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Cleanest Lakes Near Syracuse
42.8 mi · Seneca County · 11.5 ft clarity
6.5 mi · Onondaga County · 5.3 ft clarity
13.6 mi · Oswego County · 4.4 ft clarity
14.3 mi · Onondaga County · 5.2 ft clarity
15.5 mi · Madison County · 16.7 ft clarity
16.9 mi · Onondaga County · 27.4 ft clarity
Lakes Near Other Cities
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes are near Syracuse?
There are 29 lakes with water-quality readings on record within 50 miles of Syracuse, New York. 6 of them have a recorded public access point and 29 have a clarity reading.
What are the best lakes near Syracuse for fishing?
0 lakes near Syracuse have documented fish species data. The best fishing lakes combine favourable water-quality readings with diverse fish populations. 0 lakes within 50 miles have 5 or more documented fish species.
Where to stay near Syracuse
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.