Hemlock Lake, NY

About Hemlock Lake

Hemlock Lake is one of the smaller western Finger Lakes in New York, tucked into the rolling hills south of Rochester. What sets it apart from its larger, more developed neighbors is its character: the shoreline is almost entirely undeveloped because the lake serves as part of the City of Rochester's drinking-water supply. There are no lakefront homes, no jet-ski crowds, and no commercial development crowding the banks — just forested hills sloping down to clear, cold water. For anglers, that translates to a quiet, scenic experience that feels far more remote than its location an hour from a major city would suggest.

Hemlock is best known among Finger Lakes regulars as a deep, cold-water gem with a genuinely wild fishery. It supports landlocked Atlantic salmon and lake trout in its cold depths, strong smallmouth bass along its rocky drop-offs, and a healthy mix of pickerel and panfish in the shallower bays and weed edges. Because of the protected, low-impact setting, the lake holds a reputation for clean water and unpressured fish, making it a favorite for anglers who want a more natural, low-key day on the water.

Fish Species

Hemlock Lake holds a diverse mix of cold-water and warm-water gamefish, which is a big part of its appeal. The headline species include:

• Landlocked Atlantic salmon — a prized and somewhat uncommon target that draws dedicated anglers; they hold in the cold water column and follow forage baitfish.
• Lake trout — the classic deep, cold-water predator here, found near the bottom over deeper basins for much of the year.
• Smallmouth bass — abundant and aggressive along the lake's rocky shorelines, points, and drop-offs; one of the most reliable and fun fish to target.
• Largemouth bass — present in the weedier, shallower bays and around cover.
• Chain pickerel — a toothy ambush predator that haunts the weed edges and provides exciting, hard strikes.
• Yellow perch, bluegill, sunfish, and other panfish — plentiful and a great option for families or a steady day of action.
• Rainbow trout and brown trout are also encountered by anglers working the cold-water zones.

The standouts that give Hemlock its reputation are the landlocked salmon and lake trout among the cold-water species, and the smallmouth bass among the warm-water fish.

Best Seasons & Times

Spring: As the water warms after ice-out, cold-water species like salmon and trout move shallower and can be caught nearer the surface and along the shoreline before the lake stratifies. This is one of the best windows for landlocked salmon following baitfish near the top of the water column. Smallmouth bass become increasingly active as they stage to spawn around rocky shallows. Early mornings and overcast days are productive.

Summer: Once the lake stratifies and the surface warms, lake trout and salmon push down into the cold, oxygenated deep water — this is prime time for trolling or fishing deep. Smallmouth set up on rocky points, humps, and drop-offs and bite well early and late in the day. Panfish and pickerel are reliable in and around the weed lines. Dawn and dusk are the most consistent bites in the heat of summer.

Fall: Cooling water pulls trout and salmon back up and toward shallower zones, and the cooling trend triggers strong feeding as fish put on weight before winter. Smallmouth often feed aggressively in fall, making it an excellent time for quality bass. This is a favorite season for many Hemlock regulars.

Winter: When safe ice forms, panfish such as perch and bluegill, along with pickerel, become popular through-the-ice targets in the shallower areas. Always confirm ice is safe before venturing out, as conditions vary year to year.

Techniques & Baits

For landlocked salmon and lake trout:

• Trolling is the go-to method. In spring and fall, run streamers, spoons, and small minnow-imitating stickbaits closer to the surface or on light lines. In summer, get deep using downriggers, leadcore line, or weighted setups to reach the cold-water layer where trout and salmon hold.
• Flashy spoons and silvery baitfish imitations work well because forage fish drive the bite. Vertical jigging over deep structure can also produce lake trout in summer.

For smallmouth bass:

• Focus on rocky structure — points, drop-offs, gravel flats, and humps. Tube jigs, drop-shot rigs with soft plastics, ned rigs, and small crankbaits or jerkbaits all shine.
• Live bait such as crayfish and shiners is hard to beat for numbers and size.

For pickerel and largemouth:

• Work weed edges and bays with spinnerbaits, weedless soft plastics, and topwater lures. Pickerel readily hit flashy, moving baits and live minnows.

For panfish:

• Simple setups win — small jigs, worms, and bits of nightcrawler under a bobber around weed lines and shallow cover. Through the ice, small jigs tipped with grubs or wax worms take perch and bluegill.

Access & Launches

Hemlock Lake is publicly accessible and managed with conservation in mind because it is part of Rochester's watershed. There is public boat-launch access on the lake, and the surrounding state-managed and watershed lands offer shoreline and bank-fishing opportunities for anglers without a boat. The undeveloped nature of the shoreline means much of the bank is natural and forested rather than lined with private docks.

Because the lake protects a drinking-water supply, special use rules typically apply — notably restrictions on motor size and watercraft, and a permit may be required to use the launch or access the watershed lands. These rules are designed to keep the water clean and the experience quiet. Before your trip, check the current access requirements, permit needs, and any horsepower or boating restrictions so you arrive prepared. Plan for a more primitive, low-development setting with limited on-site amenities.

Regulations & Licenses

A valid New York State fishing license is required for anyone of licensing age fishing Hemlock Lake. Licenses are available online through the state and from license-issuing agents.

Hemlock has both cold-water (salmon and trout) and warm-water (bass, pickerel, panfish) fisheries, and these species carry their own seasons, size limits, and daily bag limits that can vary and change from year to year. Trout and salmon in particular may have specific open seasons and minimum-length rules. Because the lake is part of a protected watershed, additional special regulations or access permits may also apply. Always review the current New York State Department of Environmental Conservation fishing regulations — including any waterbody-specific rules for Hemlock Lake — before you fish, and confirm slot, size, and creel limits for the species you plan to target.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish is Hemlock Lake best known for?
Hemlock is best known for its cold-water fishery — landlocked Atlantic salmon and lake trout — along with strong smallmouth bass fishing. It also holds largemouth bass, chain pickerel, and plentiful panfish like perch and bluegill, making it a versatile destination.

Can you catch landlocked salmon in Hemlock Lake?
Yes. Hemlock supports landlocked Atlantic salmon, which are a prized target. They are most accessible in spring and fall when cooler water brings them nearer the surface; trolling spoons, streamers, and baitfish-imitating lures along the cold-water column is the most productive approach.

Are there boating restrictions on Hemlock Lake?
Because Hemlock is part of Rochester's drinking-water watershed, special use rules typically apply, including limits on motor size and watercraft, and a permit may be required for launch or watershed access. Check the current watershed and state rules before your trip.

Do I need a fishing license for Hemlock Lake?
Yes. A valid New York State fishing license is required for anglers of licensing age. Trout, salmon, and bass each carry their own seasons and limits that vary, so review the current New York DEC regulations and any Hemlock-specific rules before fishing.