Seneca Lake is the largest of the glacial Finger Lakes of the U.S. state of New York, and the deepest lake within the state. It is promoted as being the lake trout capital of the world, and is host of the National Lake Trout Derby.
The lake is roughly a 38-mile long, south-north oriented slender body of fresh water, with a maximum depth of 618 feet. The length of its shoreline is about 75 miles and it has a surface area of approximately 43,343 acres.
Located at the northern end of the lake is the city of Geneva, while at the southern tip is the village of Watkins Glen. Seneca Lake is known for its diverse and vibrant wine industry, with more than 50 wineries and vineyards in the vicinity. It is also a significant tourist destination, attracting people for its natural beauty, recreational activities like boating and fishing, as well as wine tasting tours.
Seneca Lake has a unique microclimate, with the lake moderating the temperature on the nearby land in both summer and winter, making the local climate more temperate. This makes the surrounding area particularly suitable for viticulture, the growing of grapes.
Seneca lake was named for the Seneca nation of Native Americans. The Seneca people consider the lake sacred and believe it was the birthplace of their nation.
