Long considered the "jewel" of Livingston County, Conesus Lake is the western-most Finger Lakes in Upstate New York. It is located south of Rochester along Route 390 and is known the world over as a year-round sporting and recreation center. There is fishing, water skiing, sailing, boating and swimming in the summer; duck hunting in the fall, and ice fishing, ice boating, ice skating and snowmobiling in the winter.

Conesus Lake is approximately eight miles long, barely a mile wide and covers an area of about five square miles. With a depth of only about 66 feet, the Lake is one of the more shallow Finger Lakes, and is situated at approximately 818 feet above sea level.

Historically, the lake shore of Conesus Lake has served as a location of summer cottages. However, the number of cottages on the Lake has expanded dramatically over the century. In 1872, summer cottages numbered less than 100. With the advent of the automobile, the shortage of housing following World War II, and the improvement of roads, the number of dwellings on the Lake increased over tenfold to 1,100 structures in 1950.

While there is still a large seasonal cottage community, the past few decades have seen a shift from a summer recreation orientation to year-round residential use.

Anglers can expect to catch Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Rock Bass, and Northern Pike in Conesus Lake.

PUBLIC LAUNCHES:

Conesus Lake Boat Launch provides boaters with access to a day on the water and excellent fishing. The area also has picnic facilities and a comfort station. Located on East Lake Road 4 miles south of Route 20A. $5.00 launch fee. No trailer parking permitted overnight. Seasons/Hours: Mid-April through mid-October. 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Conesus Inlet Wildlife Management Area - off West Lake Road (Route 256), at the south end of the lake.

Pebble Beach - off Pebble Beach Road, northwest corner of the lake.

Sand Point - located off Route 20A, north end of the lake.

FIRE DEPARTMENTS & EMERGENCY SERVICES:

Dansville Hospital: www.noyes-health.org

Conesus Volunteer FD: www.conesusvfd.com

Geneseo FD: www.geneseony.org/fire/GFD.htm

Lakeville Volunteer FD: www.lakevillevfd.org

Livonia FD: www.livoniafiredept.org