Most people in the 585 area know and love the iconic Finger Lakes—those deep, glacial beauties like Seneca and Cayuga that draw wine lovers, hikers, and vacationers from all over. But if you’ve ever driven down Route 15 or meandered through Livingston and Ontario Counties, you’ve passed by something quieter, closer, and just as captivating: the Little Finger Lakes of the Genesee River Valley.
We’re talking about Conesus, Hemlock, Canadice, and Honeoye—four smaller lakes that carry big stories. They may not get the Instagram fanfare of their larger siblings, but these lakes are packed with old legends, ecological wonders, and local traditions that make them perfect for a spontaneous day trip or peaceful weekend away from the crowds.
Conesus Lake: Where stones and spirits linger
Just thirty miles south of Rochester, Conesus Lake is the westernmost Finger Lake and a local favorite for boating and ice fishing. But beyond its recreational charm lies a deeper mystery.
Scattered along its shores are peculiar, turtle-shaped stones—formed thousands of years ago when glaciers carved their way through the region. Similar stones have been found in places as distant as Siberia and Iceland. Whether you see ancient art or just glacial leftovers, it’s easy to feel the pull of deep time as you walk the shoreline.
Then there’s the Phantom of the Lake. For more than a century, locals have whispered stories of a ghostly canoe gliding across the fog at dawn—said to carry the spirit of Chief Big Tree, a Seneca leader who died mysteriously after rallying his people in 1778. While a 1950s columnist may have confessed to embellishing the tale, the phantom still haunts the collective imagination. Add in persistent rumors of a sunken War of 1812 schooner, and Conesus starts to feel like a real-life episode of Unsolved Mysteries.
Canadice Lake: Quiet waters and quieter whispers
Canadice Lake, just east of Hemlock, is Rochester’s best-kept secret. It’s the smallest of the Finger Lakes and has no cottages, motorboats, or commercial development—by design. Since the early twentieth century, it’s served as a protected water source for the city. That makes it a haven for quiet paddling, birdwatching, and folklore.
Canadice has been home to the Strawberry Festival since 1879. The tradition is still celebrated at local churches. It’s small-town charm at its finest.
But Canadice also has its strange side. In 2013, the Northern Sasquatch Research Society investigated the lake after two fishermen reported seeing a large, shadowy figure and strange footprints. Bigfoot? Maybe. Cougars have also been reported in the area. Whatever the truth, Canadice proves that you don’t need a crowd to stir up big stories.
Hemlock Lake: Rochester’s untouched gem
Just north of Canadice, Hemlock Lake offers what many call the most pristine waters in the region. Hemlock is one of two Finger Lakes (along with Canadice) still used as a source of drinking water for the city of Rochester. Because of this, the lake is protected from development—meaning you won’t find lake houses or commercial docks … just forest, water, and sky.
Surrounding the lake is the Hemlock-Canadice State Forest, home to some of the oldest trees in the state—some more than 500 years old. Bald eagles nest here, along with cerulean warblers and sharp-shinned hawks. In the 1970s, Hemlock even hosted New York’s last known wild bald eagle. Today, they’re making a comeback, and this lake is one reason why.
Honeoye Lake: Where otters play and legends linger
To the east lies Honeoye Lake, whose name comes from the Seneca word ha-ne-a-yeh, meaning “lying lake.” Don’t let the name fool you—Honeoye is full of truth and life. Once home to thriving Indigenous communities, the lake saw major upheaval during the Sullivan Campaign of 1779, which forced many Senecas from the region.
Today, Honeoye is rich with wildlife. It was the site of the River Otter Project, which successfully reintroduced river otters to western New York after a century of absence. Now they frolic in the lake’s reeds and shallows—a symbol of ecological healing.
And, yes—Bigfoot has been spotted here, too. At least according to some locals.
More than just water
What ties these lakes together isn’t just geography—it’s spirit. Each one is a microcosm of Upstate New York: layered with Indigenous history, shaped by glacial time, and alive with local legend. Whether it’s the phantom canoe on Conesus, the old-growth giants at Hemlock, the berry-stained fields around Canadice, or the otters of Honeoye, these lakes invite us to slow down and listen—to nature, to memory, to myth.
So next time you’re thinking about hitting the road, skip the big-name wineries and take the scenic route south. The Little Finger Lakes are waiting, and they’ve got stories to tell.
This article originally appeared in the July/August 2025 issue of (585).
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