Chautauqua County’s lakes have played a prominent role in the history and development of the area and today serve as the cornerstone for the region’s quality of life and its tourism industry. What began as early exploration and trading routes, starting with America’s earliest inhabitants and then extending to its settlers, is today a multi-lake tourism destination attracting hundreds of millions of dollars to the area annually. Visitor spending in Chautauqua County tops $310 million annually and our lakes are a major driver in attracting that spending.

Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau uses the brand moniker “Chautauqua & Lake Erie, NY” when marketing and advertising this destination area to visitors from multiple states in a 2-5 hour driving radius. This works because the area’s lakes are the most well-known geographic features of the region as well as the pre-eminent experiences enjoyed by a majority of the county’s visitors.

According to visitor surveys conducted by CCVB, 65% of visitors to the area included a lake in some way during their visit to Chautauqua County. This includes boating, fishing, swimming, visiting a park or public space along or overlooking a lakeshore, dining on or near a lake, and renting an accommodation, campsite, or hotel room in close proximity to a lake. This 65% of visitors that includes a lake in their visit does so primarily between May and October, making that percentage even more impressive considering the limited timeframe. Lakes and the lakefront areas and attractions are the dominant initial lure in terms of attracting vacationing visitors to our area.

One doesn’t need a survey report to understand this though. A visit to one of the area’s busy lake communities or simply observing the amount of boat traffic on area lakes reveals that our lakes draw thousands of visitors. The lakes may be directly utilized by the visitors (boaters, anglers) or simply provide the scenic backdrop for waterfront amenities and experiences that visitors want to be near.

This is certainly the case on Lake Erie which was recently designated the “Number 1 Best Lake in America” by the USA Today Reader’s Choice award. The Chautauqua region of eastern Lake Erie is home to the Lake Erie Wine Country wine trail and its many wineries. Our Lake Erie shore also offers visitors 3 significant harbor areas (Barcelona, Dunkirk, and Sunset Bay). These harbors house a robust charter fishing industry that boasts more than 50 participating charter businesses. These businesses thrive due to the unparalleled fishing opportunities in “our section” of Lake Erie, led by the most productive walleye fishery in the northeast and Great Lakes region of the country. Our Lake Erie region boasts several walleye tournaments including the region’s largest—the Sunset Walleye Shootout, bringing 200 teams to the area.

Chautauqua Lake’s “Fairpoint” was attracting visitors via steamboat and rail as early as the 1870’s. This site became the now world-renowned Chautauqua Institution beginning in 1874 and today draws several thousand visitors every day during the summer season from many different parts of America and the world. A major part of Chautauqua Institution’s overall appeal continues to be its beautiful location along the shores of Chautauqua Lake—a great program combined with a desirable place.

Other communities around Chautauqua Lake have benefited heavily from lake-related visitor spending over the years. These include Mayville, Dewittville, Bemus Point, Greenhurst, Celoron, Lakewood, and Stow. The smalltown atmosphere of these communities is bolstered annually by millions of dollars in visitor spending, driven by the appeal of Chautauqua Lake. Without visitor spending, most of the restaurants, shops, and even some of the recreational amenities in these and other towns would not be available.

Similarly, Findley Lake and Cassadaga Lakes are communities that benefit significantly from lake-related tourism. When the “lake population” is in the area, the businesses are thriving and the towns are at their most enjoyable. While these towns correctly endeavor to grow tourism in pre-and post-summer seasons, the time when lake users are in town is the most productive for businesses. This is because the appeal of the lakes is so strong.

Jamestown is not located directly on one of the area’s lakes, but its tourism-related potential is tied in part to Chautauqua Lake. Jamestown’s ability to attract Chautauqua Lake visitors into the downtown cultural area is a key opportunity. Success in this strategy relates directly to how many visitors are coming to the southern portion of Chautauqua Lake. Jamestown’s strong historic, arts, and entertainment offerings are an attractive enticement for lake area visitors. This extends to visitors to our other lakes as well.

The impacts and appeal of Chautauqua County’s lakes have and continue to be a major contributor to the success of the area’s tourism industry and overall economy. It is essential to protect the conditions, availability, accessibility, usability, and reputations of these lakes. Doing so will allow us to reap the benefits and rewards of having five lakes located within our county borders. Most areas do not enjoy this opportunity.

For more information about enjoying area lakes & waterways, visit CCVB’s information website at: https://www.tourchautauqua.com/media/blog/ways-to-get-out-on-the-water-in-the-chautauqua-and-lake-erie-ny

Situated in the picturesque landscapes of Southwestern New York, Chautauqua County offers stunning vistas for fishermen, boaters, beachgoers and anyone in search of a quiet lakeside getaway. Its five prominent lakes each have a personality all their own, and a few facts worth knowing.

Bear Lake

Bear Lake is the smallest of Chautauqua County’s five lakes and is geologically known as a “kettle lake,” formed thousands of years ago when huge blocks of melting glacial ice dotted the landscape at the end of the last ice age. Over 70% of its 2.5-mile shoreline consists of undeveloped wetlands, giving the 114-acre lake in Stockton a serenity all its own. A hand launch area with a wheelchair accessible feature welcomes anglers of all abilities, whether they’re casting for largemouth bass in the brushy areas or trying their luck with muskellunge.

Cassadaga Lake

Cassadaga Lake comes from the Seneca Native American word for “water under the rocks.” Today, the interconnected lakes make up the lake spanning 211 acres or 5.1 miles of shoreline and are considered a major nature hub, home to over 175 different species of birds. Surrounded by lush forests and rolling hills, it’s a go-to spot for local residents to break out their canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. After an afternoon on the water, the nearby cafes of Cassadaga offer small-town charm, cold coffee beverages and fresh summer small plates.

Chautauqua Lake

Chautauqua Lake is 17 miles long, 2 miles wide, with 41 miles of shoreline. It sits 1,308 feet above sea level, making it one of the highest navigable bodies of water in North America. Known as Western New York’s largest inland lake, it is highly renowned for its trophy-size muskie fishing, and its waters are home to walleye, largemouth bass, and various panfish as well. Boaters can dock at The Casino in Bemus Point for quintessential Western New York fare without ever leaving the water, then venture on to Celoron for a cocktail at The Harbor Hotel, with Mayville, Lakewood, and Maple Springs each offering their own charm along the way. Along the Chautauqua Ridge on Burdick Rd., there is a unique spot where one can take in a glimpse of both Chautauqua Lake and the vast blue waters of Lake Erie at the exact same time. Take Elm Flats Road from Hartfield to reach the scenic sight.

Findley Lake

Findley Lake is an entirely man-made body of water. Alexander Findley built a dam to power his local mill, which flooded 2 pre-existing ponds and created the 292-acre, 5.5-mile shoreline recreational lake we see today. Sitting at an elevation of 1,410 feet in the Town of Mina, the lake’s abundant aquatic vegetation supports a thriving fish habitat, with largemouth and smallmouth bass, tiger muskellunge and walleye among the catch, and two boat launch sites make public access convenient. Come winter, it’s a favorite spot for ice fishing, especially among panfish enthusiasts.

Lake Erie

Lake Erie is considered the “Walleye Capital of the World” with 871 miles of shoreline bordering 4 states and Ontario, Canada. Its shallow waters heat up rapidly in the summer, which creates a unique microclimate perfect for vineyards and Concord grapes. Those same shallow, stormy waters have also claimed up to 2,000 historic shipwrecks. Closer to home, Barcelona Beach in Westfield offers sandy shores and sunsets that rival any ocean shoreline, and on a rainy day, there is the most optimal time to scope out beach glass for your collection.

There isn’t a single part of Chautauqua County that is more than 20 minutes from open water. And that’s the great thing about our lakes: whether it’s summer sun, fall foliage or a winter of ice fishing and snowmobiling, they’re meant to be enjoyed year-round.