Fair Haven State Park

Bodies of Water:
Little Sodus Bay

Key Species:
Black Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Sunfish, Black Crappie

Description:
“Sprawling over 750 acres, averaging 25 ft deep, and having a maximum depth of 65 ft, this bay’s shoreline is almost totally developed with summer cottages and year round homes.” – Fishing Western New York

Links:
Little Sodus Bay – Anglerweb.com
Little Sodus Bay Contour Map – NYS DEC
Little Sodus Bay Harbor – Army Corps of Engineers

[Rybaak 32A] – Fair Haven Beach State Park
GPS: N43 19.794 W76 41.791 (Park Office Parking)
*Parking for 50 rigs.  Plenty of space on the breaker wall and three piers.  Paved boat ramps and an incredibly nice park to visit or camp at.

[HBF 32A] – Chinook Marina (Public Boat Launch)
GPS: N43 18.990 W76 43.043

Chinook Marina (Public Boat Launch)

[HBF 32B] – Phillips Park
GPS: N43 19.000 W76 42.349 (Parking Area)
*Parking for 10-15 vehicles.  Public boat launch site.  Phillips Park also has a dock and some picnic fixtures (i.e. tables, stoves, etc.).

Phillips Park - Fair Haven, NY

Sterling Nature Center - Heron Trail

Sterling Nature Center
15730 Jensvold Road
Sterling, NY 13156
Phone: (315) 947-6143

Fee: Free / Pets: Yes

Parking Areas:
N43 22.665 W76 39.457 – (Parking / Trail #3)

Trail Map: Sterling Nature Center
Fishing:  Little Sodus Bay

07/10/2010 (AdvGirl) – This is really an outstanding mid-summer day trip.  The nature trails are well maintained.  The rookery is awesome but there is a lot of other wildlife in the area as well.  McIntyre’s Bluff is located down the lake shore line, follow trail #3 to the lake and then about .25 miles via the rocky shoreline.  We did trails #3, #6, #8 and HBF #1 at a very easy pace and enjoyed the seclusion of the beach on an 85 degree day.

07/17/2010 (AdvGirl) – Our second visit to the center.  We did trails #2, #3, #4, #5, and #9, totaling 4.2 miles.  These trails were a little more challenging with temperatures pushing over 90 degrees.  Trail #4 in particular had a couple of points that were muddy or under water.  This was the only one of the trails that I would consider “buggy”.  The swim in Lake Ontario was revitalizing after this one!

Trail:  McIntyre’s Bluff (HBF #1)
Distance: 0.45 miles / Difficulty: Easy

Sterling Nature Center - McIntyre's Bluff

Trail: Bluff Trail (#2 – Blue Markers)
Distance 1.0 miles / Difficulty: Easy
N43 22.896 W76 39.303 – Intersection of trails #2/#9

Bluff Trail - #2

Bluff Trail - #2 - View 2

Trail: Dogwood Extension (#9)
Distance: 1.1 miles / Difficulty: Easy
N43 23.161 W76 39.098 – Intersection of trails #2 /#9
N43 23.186 W76 38.588 – Traceback Pt. / Parking

Dogwood Extension - #9

Trail: Forest Ecology Trail (#7)
Distance: 0.6 miles / Difficulty: Easy

Trail: Heron Trail (#6)
Distance: 0.8 miles / Difficulty: Easy
N43 22.743 W76 39.501 – Intersection of trails #6/#8
N43 22.854 W76 39.095 – Rookery

Sterling Nature Center - Rooker (Trail #6)

Blue Heron

Sterling Nature Center - Dragonfly Pond

Trail: Lake Trail (#3)
Distance: 0.2 miles / Difficulty: Easy

Trail #3 / Lake Ontario Intersection

Trail: Lake View (#8)
Distance: 0.4 miles / Difficulty: Easy

Sterling Nature Center - Trail #8

Trail #8 Observation Deck

Trail: Two Tale Trail (#5 – White Markers)
Distance: 0,8 miles / Difficulty: Easy
N43 23.048 W76 38.652 – Trail head

Two-Tail Trail - #5

Trail: Vernal Pool Trail (#4 – Red Markers)
Distance: 0.7 miles / Difficulty: Easy
N43 23.171 W76 38.691 – Trail head #4/#9

Vernal Pool Trail - #4

Vernal Pool Trail - #4 Alt View

Vernal Pool Trail - #4 Flooding

Trail: Wetland Loop (#1)
Distance: 3.5 miles / Difficulty: Unknown
Note:  Currently under construction

“Located on the shore of Lake Ontario, where 1400 acres of wetlands, woodlands and meadows are bordered by two miles of undeveloped lakeshore with Sterling Creek to the South and Nine Mile Creek to the North.  Ecologically sensitive areas are protected with a conversation easement.

The center was established by Cayuga County in 1997 to mange the natural resources and foster and understanding and appreciation for the natural environment through guided and unguided nature study and interpretive programs.”

— Cayuga County Parks & Trails

Oneida Lake - Cleveland Lighthouse

Bodies of Water:
Oneida Lake

Key Species:
Walleye, northern pike, black bass, tiger muskie, channel catfish, white bass, sheepshead, yellow perch, sunfish, bullhead

Description:
“Spilling into four counties, this 51,091 -acre lake is the largest body of water totally contained in the state’s border.  It averages 22 feet deep and has a maximum depth of 55 feet.” – Fishing Western New York

Links:
Oneida Lake Association
DEC – Oneida Lake

[Rybaak 157A] – Brewerton Public Access (Bartell Road)
GPS: N43 13.987 W76 07.864 (Parking Lot-South)
*This is a pretty nice size lot that will park around 50 cars.
GPS: N43 14.480 W76 07.831 (Parking Lot-North)
* Parking for about 20 vehicles.

Brewerton Public Access - Bartell Road

Brewerton Public Access - Bartell Road

Oneida Lake - North Public Access

Oneida Lake - North Access Trail

Oneida Lake - North Access

[Rybaak 157B] – Oneida Shores County Park
GPS: N43 13.633 W76 06.663 (Parking)
*County park fees apply.

[Rybaak 157C] – South Shore Boat Launch
[Rybaak 157D] – Verona Beach State Park
GPS: N43 09.993 W75 43.545 (Parking)
*This is a really nice park with a lot of fishing and hiking opportunities.  State Park fees apply.  Ample parking and facilities reside within the park, including camping opportunities.

[Rybaak 157E] – Sylvan Beach Public Access
GPS: N 43 11.703 W 75 43.786 (Canal Parking)
*This is a unique spot for fishing because it offers the added benefit of the amusement park and the beach for those not as interested in throwing a few lines.  There is usually parking on Canal Street behind Yesterday’s Royal.  This is a popular walleye fishing site in the fall.

[Rybaak 157F] – Godfrey Point Public Access
GPS: N43 13.471 W75 51.019 (Parking)
*Two paved boat launches and rig parking for about 35 vehicles.

[HBF 157A] – Cleveland Docks (Apps Boathouse)
GPS: N43 13.899 W75 52.885 (Parking Area)
*Boat launch and parking for around 15 cars.  This has been a hot spot for bullhead fishing at night.

Oneida Lake - Apps Boathouse

[Rybaak 157G] – Phillips Point Public Access (Toadharbor)
[HBF 157B] – Oneida Fish Cultural Station
GPS: N43 14.889 W75 59.895 (Parking Area)
*Very limited parking — 5 to 7 cars.  The hatchery is just off of Oneida Lake and marks the beginning of Scriba Creek.

Oneida Fish Cultural Station (from Oneida Lake)

Oneida Fish Cultural Station (facing Oneida Lake)

Onondaga Creek - Inner Harbor

Bodies of Water:
Onondaga Creek

Key Species:
Brown Trout & Carp

Description:
“This creek starts a couple miles northwest of Tully, flows north for about 20 miles through Onondaga Indian Nation territory and Syracuse, and feeds Onondaga Lake at the city’s Inner Harbor, under the shadow of Carousel Center Mall.” – Fishing Western New York

Links:
Onondaga Creek Conceptional Visualization Plan

[Rybaak 123A] – Inner Harbor Park
GPS: N43 03.601 W76 09.799 (West Kirkpatrick Parking)
GPS: N43 03.721 W76 09.788 (Solar Street Parking)
GPS: N43 03.686 W76 10.156 (Van Rensselaer Street Parking)

*There is ample parking around the harbor and additional parking a few blocks away at Carousel Mall.  This area is unique in that its a good place to bring the family to picnic and fish.  Check the local paper for event dates at the Harbor.  Often times you can actually fish and listen to a national recording artist’s set.  You can’t do that many places.

Onondaga Creek - Inner Harbor

[HBF 123B] – Dorwin / Kelly Park Drive
GPS: N42 59.099 W76 09.014 (Parking)

Floodwood Pond

Bodies of Water:
Lakewood Pond, Floodwood Pond
Goose, North Colwell & South Colwell Ponds

Key Species:
Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch & Sunfish

Description:
“This 3,461-acre wildlife management area is the largest undeveloped parcel within the Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Wetland Area, a 17 mile stretch of barrier beach with the tallest sand dunes between Lake Michigan and Cape Cod.  Its five ponds are connected by channels navigable by canoe in years of normal rainfall.” – Fishing Western New York

[Rybaak 43A] – Southwick Beach State Park
GPS: N43 45.889 W76 12.882 (Parking Area)
*State Park fees apply for parking.  The park also offers several campsites, some with electricity.  Lakeview Natural Beach borders the park and this is a free area.  Along Lakeview Natural Beach, there are access points from the beach to Lakeview Pond and Floodwood Pond.

Lakeview Natural Beach

Boardwalk Between Floodwood Pond & Lake View Natural Beach

[Rybaak 43B] – Lakeview Pond Public Access
[Rybaak 43C] – Public Access
[Rybaak 43D] – South Colwell Pond Public Access

Lake View Natural Beach

Lakeview Wildlife Management Area
Fee: Southwick Beach State Park Entry Fee
Pets: Yes

Parking Area:
N43 45.889 W76 12.882 (Southwick State Park)

Trail Maps:
DEC Map – Lakeview Wildlife Area
Southwick Beach Trail Map

Fishing:  Lakeview Marsh Wildlife Management Area Ponds

Trail: Lakeview Natural Beach Trail
Distance: 6.5 miles (round trip) / Difficulty: Easy
GPS: N43 45.889 W76 12.882

Trail: Southwick Big Beach Trail
Distance: 0.7 miles (round trip)/ Difficulty: Easy

Trail: Southwick Big Dead Maple Tree Trail
Distance: 0.2 miles (round trip)/ Difficulty: Easy

Trail: Southwick Unnamed Trail
Distance: 1.2 miles (round trip)/ Difficulty: Easy

05/22/2010 (AdvGirl) – This was my initial visit to Southwick Beach, although my wife had been there several times.  Let me tell you, there is a lot of beach here.  Due to the time (and the heat) we opted for the Lakeview Beach trail.  After you move away from the State Park, there is so much beach and not a soul in sight.  The entire walk was on the sand with little to no elevation.  There are two wooden decks — one going to Lakeview Pond and the other, a lookout onto Floodwood Pond — to check out along the way.  As there were a few additional short trails in the area (and a fishing spot I want to try just minutes away from the park) a return trip for additional details will be forthcoming.

Lake Ontario From Lakeview Pond

Boardwalk Between Floodwood Pond & Lake View Natural Beach

Natural Beach - Floodwood Pond Return Point

South Sandy Creek

Body of Water:
South Sandy Creek

Key Species:
Chinook Salmon & Steelhead

Description:
“This small creek has multiple personalities.  Its headwaters contains holes and runs separated by shallow riffs.  Downstream of Adams it becomes flat water.  Around Woodville it enters a low gorge and slides down a clean gentle 2 mile long slope whose broken floor creates violent backwashes, slicks, shallow pools and runs.  It feeds Lakeview Marsh Wildlife Management Area’s Floodwood Pond.” – Fishing Western New York

[Rybaak 44A] – Public Access
GPS: N43 44.631 W76 11.145 (Parking Area)
*Parking for about 50 vehicles.  Canoe launch and handicapped fishing platform access.

South Sandy Creek - #44A

Taughannock "Upper Falls" - Gorge Trail

Taughannock Falls State Park
Fee: State Park Fees Apply
Pets: w/Restrictions

Parking Area: N42 32.307 W76 36.514 (Overlook)
Parking Area: N42 32.727 W76 35.969 (South Rim / Gorge)
Parking Area: N42 32.835 W76 35.786 (Picnic / Fishing)

Trail Map: Taughannock.com

Trail: North Rim
Distance: 1.5 miles (1-Way) / Difficulty: Easy
GPS: N42 32.766 W76 36.030

Trail: South Rim
Distance: 1.125 miles (1-Way) / Difficulty: Easy
GPS: N42 32.727 W76 35.969

Trail: Gorge Trail
Distance: 1.5 miles (Round Trip) / Difficulty: Easy
GPS: N42 32.727 W76 35.969

Trail: Multi-use
Distance: 2.0 miles (Round Trip) / Difficulty: Easy

05/01/2010 (AdvGirl) – We started this hike on the South Rim trail which is easily seen from the parking area.  Although I indicated “easy” for this hike, the multiple sets of stairs going to the rim can get you winded.  Once we were on the rim, the trail is very easy going from there.  A similar staircase is on the North Rim entrance, which seemed to be a less aggressive incline.  The South Rim connects to the North Rim trail over the upper falls and continues back to the South Rim parking lot.  From the same parking lot you will find the Gorge Trailhead.  This is a very easy paced hike to the lower observation area of the upper falls.  A nice set of easy trails connected to a very nice park filled with amenities.

Taughannock Falls - Lake Side

South Trim Trailhead

More South Rim Stairs ...

North Rim Trail

North Rim Trail

Taughannock Lower Falls - Gorge Trail

Gorge Trail

Gorge Trail View

Taughannock Upper Falls

Charlie Major Trail - Skaneateles Creek

Body of Water:
Skaneateles Creek

Key Species:
Brown & Rainbow Trout

Description:
“Skaneateles Creek breaks away from it’s namesake by pouring through a pipe at the dam on the lake’s north end and tumbling north for about 11 wavy miles to feed the Seneca River (New Erie Canal) west of Jordan.  Along the way, it runs through a couple of large rural villages and tiny hamlets and squeezes through a scenic gorge.” – Fishing Western New York

[Rybaak 119A] – Charlie Major Nature Trail
GPS: N42 57.770 W76 26.470 (Parking Area & Trailhead)
*Shoulder parking along the road for about 5 to 10 vehicles.

[Rybaak 119B] – Public Access (Village of Elbridge)
*The village park has public parking for around 10 vehicles.

Genesee River - Seth Green Trail

Seth Green Trail
Fee: Free / Pets: Yes

Parking Area:
N43 11.241 W77 37.389 (Seth Green Drive)

Trail Map: Take a Hike!’s Trailmap
Fishing:  Genesee River

Trail: Official Trail
Distance: 0.9 miles (round trip) / Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Trail: Gorge Loop Trail
Distance: 1.4 miles (round trip)/ Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

04/16/2010 (Kevin) – I talk a little bit about the Gorge Loop Trail in my entry for Genesee River and on my blog entry got Trout?

Seth Green Trail - From Parking Lot

Genesee River - Seth Green Trail

Seth Green Trail - Lower Falls