Paddle the Finger Lakes Region of New York
Flat Water Paddling and Fishing Areas For Kayaks and Canoes
Oct 24, 2009
Many paddlers enjoy a peaceful excursion on flat-waters. Sometimes guide books are the best way to help you choose a paddling location, based on skill-level, time availability and many other factors. Rich and Sue Freeman have written several guides, including Take A Paddle: Finger Lakes. In this guide, they describe 64 locations in Western New York that are geared toward beginner and intermediate paddlers, or those just wanting a relaxing jaunt. These destinations are great for both kayaking and canoeing and offer plenty of fishing opportunities.
West River Marsh
West River Marsh is part of the High Tor Wildlife Management Area, located at the south end of Canandaigua Lake in Yates County. It is about 4 miles round trip and can be paddled in about 2.5 hours. The best time to visit is during the spring as it some areas become overgrown with duckweed by late summer. Launching is available at the West River Fishing Access Site on Sunnyside Road, High Tor Wildlife Management Area off Route 245 and the DEC site off Route 21. Since bass are abundant, this makes an especially good area for kayak fishing.
Happy Valley Ponds
Happy Valley Ponds, which include St. Mary's, Mosher, Long Ponds and Whitney, are located at the Happy Valley Wildlife Management Area in Oswego County. These four ponds are in various states of regeneration and are best to paddle during spring and summer. It is advised to avoid hunting season in the fall. The roads leading to each pond are dirt roads and can be found off Route 104. St. Mary's Pond is about .3 mile long and has sparkling clear rust colored water. Mosher Pond is about 1.1 miles long and is created by a dam at the north end. Long Pond is about 1 mile long and has lots of islands and lily pads. Whitney Pond is about .9 miles long and is set in a forested valley with a high dam at the south end.
Deer Creek Marsh
Deer Creek Marsh is located in Oswego County. It is about a 5.4 mile round trip and can be paddled in 2-3 hours. Launching is available at the Deer Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area in Pulaski. Spring, summer and fall are all beautiful times to visit the marsh. Muskrats and turtles are often sighted here. Paddling through sand dunes, the marsh opens out into Lake Ontario.
Tioughnioga River Trail
The Tioughnioga River runs from Marathon to Chenango Forks. It is about 21 miles in length and takes about 4-5 hours to paddle. Launching is available at the DEC access site on Route 11, Jennings Creek Road Bridge, just below the Route 206 bridge and at the Barker Hill Road bridge. Spring, summer and fall are all great times to visit the river, which parallels many roadways and highways. This section of the river has been designated as a New York State Heritage Waterway and improvements are scheduled for enhanced river access and hiking trails.
Catatonk Creek
Catatonk Creek runs from Candor to Oswego. The creek begins in Spencer Lake and joins the Oswego Creek. It runs about 10 miles long and takes approximately 4 hours to paddle. Launch sites are available in Moyer Park and at a pull-off near the Catatonk Golf Club on Route 96. Bring a fishing pole as largemouth and smallmouth bass and brown trout may be biting.
Beginning and intermediate paddlers will enjoy kayaking and canoeing these and other flat-water areas of New York.
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