Rochester’s Other Reservoir
Hemlock Lake, like its neighbor Canadice, serves as a water supply for the city of Rochester, and that utilitarian purpose has been its greatest gift. The shoreline is almost entirely undeveloped, the water is clean and clear, and the surrounding Hemlock-Canadice State Forest creates a buffer of protected woodland that makes the lake feel far more remote than its actual location — about 30 miles south of Rochester — would suggest. At seven miles long, Hemlock is significantly larger than Canadice and has a slightly different character: a bit more accessible, a bit more open, but every bit as peaceful.
A Lake for Quiet Pursuits
Hemlock Lake allows non-motorized boats and small motors with restrictions, which keeps the noise level low and the water undisturbed. Fishing here is excellent — the lake supports a healthy population of trout, bass, and panfish, and the clean, cold water produces fish that fight hard and taste better than what you will catch in warmer, more developed lakes. There is a boat launch at the south end of the lake, and the shoreline offers enough variety — rocky points, sandy shallows, weedy bays — to keep a fisherman interested for an entire season.
Hiking the State Forest
The Hemlock-Canadice State Forest is the real draw for people who are not on the water. The forest covers thousands of acres of rolling terrain between and around the two lakes, with a network of trails and old logging roads that range from easy walking to moderate bushwhacking. The Hemlock Lake Trail runs along the western shore and provides lake views through the trees. Wildlife is abundant — this is one of the better areas in the Finger Lakes for spotting deer, turkey, hawks, and during the right season, migrating warblers and waterfowl. The forest is also open to hunting in season, so plan accordingly and wear orange if you are hiking in fall.
What to Expect
Hemlock Lake is not a destination in the recreational sense. There are no restaurants on the water, no shops, no tasting rooms. The nearest services are in the small communities of Hemlock and Livonia to the north, which offer basic dining and supplies. What Hemlock offers instead is a genuine experience of the Finger Lakes landscape without commercial overlay. The hills, the forest, the water, and the sky — that is the whole program, and if you are in the right frame of mind, it is more than enough.
When to Visit
Hemlock Lake is best from May through October. Spring brings trillium and trout lily to the forest floor and excellent fishing as the water warms. Summer is prime time for paddling and swimming, though the water stays cooler than the shallower lakes. Fall is the standout season — the state forest erupts in color, the trails are at their most scenic, and the lake takes on a stillness that feels almost ceremonial. Winter is accessible for the adventurous — snowshoeing and cross-country skiing through the forest are excellent when conditions permit.
