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Great Sacandaga Lake, New York, USA

Also known as:  Great Sacanadaga Reservoir

Great Sacandaga Lake, located in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, is a reservoir built to control flooding on the Hudson River and the Sacandaga River. But the functionality of the dam is often overlooked as residents and visitors alike think of Great Sacandaga Lake as a year-round recreational playground. Lake levels can fluctuate by 20 feet or more, depending on winter drawdown to make room for…
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    • All About Great Sacandaga Lake, NY

    Lake Locations: USA - US Mid-Atlantic Region - New York - Adirondacks Region, NY - Capital-Saratoga Region, NY -

    Great Sacandaga Lake, located in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, is a reservoir built to control flooding on the Hudson River and the Sacandaga River. But the functionality of the dam is often overlooked as residents and visitors alike think of Great Sacandaga Lake as a year-round recreational playground. Lake levels can fluctuate by 20 feet or more, depending on winter drawdown to make room for snowmelt and heavy rains. The lake is located on the border of the Capital-Saratoga and Adirondacks tourism regions of New York.

    Located on the shores of Great Sacandaga Lake are many established rental properties, bed and breakfast inns, as well as numerous camping facilities. The Northampton Beach Campground, located on the northwest corner of Great Sacandaga Lake, is operated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. There you can choose a campsite on the sandy shoreline or in the privacy of secluded trees. Northampton Beach Campground provides a natural sand beach with a guarded swimming area from mid-June to Labor Day. Rowboats, kayaks, and canoes can be rented here so that you may spend a quiet time on Great Sacandaga Lake. Or if you prefer more powerful watercraft, a public boat launch for large watercraft is provided there as well.

    Many miles of trails wind through the Great Sacandaga Lake area. These trails are used for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. In the winter, these same trails come alive with avid snow lovers who cross-country ski, snowmobile, or snowshoe.

    In warmer months, there are opportunities for boating, waterskiing, jetskiing, and, of course, fishing. The World Record Northern Pike, 46 pounds 2 ounces, was caught in Great Sacandaga Lake. Though no other pike have reached that record, locals state that 30+ pound pikes are caught often. Other fish in Great Sacandaga Lake are walleye, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, pickerel, rainbow trout, brown trout, landlocked salmon, perch, and carp. Each year there are Fishing Contests at Great Sacandaga Lake. In the frozen water of winter, the fun does not stop. Ice fishing is great, making Great Sacandaga Lake a year-round fishing destination. For the novices or those seeking the “best spot” on Great Sacandaga Lake, many local guides are available to assist you in a successful fishing trip.

    The area around Great Sacandaga Lake offers a wide variety of activities to keep you busy should you tire of the fun on the water. As you travel the area, history buffs will want to stop and read the numerous historical markers that tell of the great events of the area. Antiques, craft shops, and museums are abundant. Lakefront dining is available at many establishments. The Great Sacandaga Lake area has been voted the second best place in the country to be for nightlife by Snowgoer Magazine.

    Great Sacandaga Lake is a great destination for year-round fun on and off the lake. Come visit us today!

    Things to Do at Great Sacandaga Lake

    These are some activities in the Great Sacandaga Lake, NY area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Ice Fishing
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Canoeing
    • Kayaking
    • Water Skiing
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Hiking
    • Biking
    • Snowmobiling
    • Horseback Riding
    • Museum
    • Playground
    • Antiquing

    What Kind of Fish Are in Great Sacandaga Lake?

    Great Sacandaga Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Brown Trout
    • Carp
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Northern Pike
    • Perch
    • Pickerel
    • Pike
    • Rainbow Trout
    • Salmon
    • Smallmouth Bass
    • Trout
    • Walleye
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    Find Places to Stay at Great Sacandaga Lake

    If you’re considering a Great Sacandaga Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Great Sacandaga Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Great Sacandaga Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Great Sacandaga Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Water Level Control: Hudson River/Black River Regulating District

    Surface Area: 26,880 acres

    Shoreline Length: 125 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 765 feet

    Minimum Elevation (Min Pond): 740 feet

    Maximum Elevation (Max Pond): 771 feet

    Average Depth: 40 feet

    Maximum Depth: 90 feet

    Water Volume: 865,473 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1930

    Drainage Area: 1,044 sq. miles

    Trophic State: Mesotrophic

    Great Sacandaga Lake Map
    Lake Water Level
    Local Weather Forecast

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