Cross Lake is on the border of Cayuga and Onondaga Counties in New York, United States. The lake lies within the boundaries of the traditional Onondaga Indian Nation, and is reputed in local tradition to be the boyhood home of Hiawatha, the great peace maker. However, Onondaga Lake is also said to be Hiawatha's home.

Cross Lake
Location of Cross Lake in New York, USA.
Location of Cross Lake in New York, USA.
Cross Lake
Location of Cross Lake in New York, USA.
Location of Cross Lake in New York, USA.
Cross Lake
LocationCayuga / Onondaga counties, New York, US
Coordinates43°6′58″N 76°28′31″W / 43.11611°N 76.47528°W / 43.11611; -76.47528
Primary inflowsSeneca River
Primary outflowsSeneca River
Basin countriesUnited States
Max. length4.5 mi (7.2 km)
Surface area1,920 acres (7.8 km2)
Average depth18 feet (5.5 m)
Max. depth65 ft (20 m)
Shore length165.7 miles (105.7 km)
Surface elevation373 ft (114 m)[1]
Islands2
Big Island, Small Island
SettlementsCato, New York
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Cross Lake has a maximum depth of 65 feet and has an average depth of 18 feet. The Seneca River flows west to east through the south end of the lake. Since Cross Lake is part of the New York State Canal System, there are a variety of fish that pass through it. Cross Lake has a flushing rate of 51 times per year; once per week.

Fishing edit

Fish species present in the lake are walleye, white perch, tiger muskie, northern pike, largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie, channel catfish, black bullhead, pumpkinseed sunfish, bluegill, longnose gar, gizzard shad, and sheepshead. There is public access with fee at the Cross Lake Campground off Duger Road and access at the marina with a fee on Fire Lane 18.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ "Cross lake". dec.ny.gov. NYSDEC. 1998. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  2. ^ Sportsman's Connection (Firm) (2011-01-01), Western Adirondacks New York fishing map guide: includes lakes & streams for the following counties: Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Cortland, Erie, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Niagara, Onondaga, Ontario, Orleans, Oswego, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates., Sportsman's Connection, ISBN 978-1-885010-63-6, OCLC 986498446