The lake is supplied by three major tributaries - Shotwell Brook in the Town of Skaneateles (Onondaga County), Bear Swamp in the Town of Sempronius (Cayuga County), and Grout Brook in the Town of Scott (Cortland County).

The lake is sometimes referred to as "The Roof Garden of the Lakes" because its altitude (863.27 feet) is higher than the other Finger Lakes. The word "Skaneateles" is said to be derived from the Onondagan phrase "skeh-ne-a-ties," meaning long waters.

Towns & Villages
The shores of Skaneateles Lake are in three counties: Onondaga, Cayuga, and Cortland. The village of Skaneateles is at the northern end of the lake. Summer cottages appeared in 1881, increasing to more than 2000 residences around the lake in 2002. Generally new homes now are built for year-round occupancy rather than summer use and many summer cottages are replaced. The transient and seasonal population of this tourist destination and summer resort surges during the warmer months. Skaneateles is noted for its performing arts and amenities. The southern end of the lake, bounded by high hills differs in character from the north. Glen Haven, a hamlet located there, once featured a large resort hotel but now offers smaller visitor accommodations and seasonal dining. On the west side, the high Town of Niles, New York provides scenic prospects. On the east side, the high Town of Spafford, New York offers panoramic views. Between these towns lies deep Glen Haven valley in the Town of Scott, New York, in the third county. The hamlet of Borodino in Spafford retains an 1830 church, little altered, in the Federal style and noted as a center of the abolitionist movement where Frederick Douglas spoke.

Fishing
"Skaneateles Lake is home to some fine rainbow trout, in addition to the occasional landlocked salmon. These fish can run up to five pounds or more, and nothing is much more fun that catching these fish on a dry fly. Each year, right around Father's Day, the brown drakes start to hatch. When the drakes finish their hatch, the lake also hosts a good hatch of Hexagenia mayflies, lasting until the Fourth of July." - Rob Streeter, Albany Times Union, June 4, 2009.

"Skaneateles has been called the "real sleeper" among the Finger Lakes for outstanding fishing quality. Often overshadowed by the reputations of nearby Seneca and Cayuga Lakes – both significantly larger and better known – Skaneateles is itself a superb fishery, especially for trout and land-locked salmon....Skaneateles provides fishing to satisfy almost any interest and inclination. Anglers find fabulous fishing for brown and rainbow trout, especially near shore in early spring and late fall".

Gone Fishin: The 100 Best Spots in New York (1999) - By Ronald Lawrence Bern and Manny Luftglass.

Boating
The lake has long been popular for recreational sailing. Regattas with yachts from other lakes as well as Skaneateles began in 1847. The Skaneateles Country Club now has a boating center. The Lightning, a racing dinghy, was designed and produced in Skaneateles, as was the Comet. There are few marinas or other commercial facilities on the lake shore. The Skaneateles Country Club Sailing Committee offers a full sailing program to the SCC community and the public at large. Each summer during the last weekend in July, the Finger Lakes Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society invites wooden boaters from across the United States and Canada to gather at the north end of Skaneateles Lake.

Wineries
Skaneateles Lake is separated from two other nearby Finger Lakes, Otisco and Owasco, by ridges some 600 feet above the waters, affording magnificent prospects on both sides. Much of the highland terrain is forested, with several large public preserves. Once more cultivated, this region was known for the teasel industry until 1930. Teasels were employed commercially by woolen mills to raise the nap on the material. Although some dairy farms remain in the highlands, occasionally remaining in the same family after many generations, much of the land no longer serves agriculture. There is some experimention with introduction of vineyards, which have proved so successful on the more western Finger Lakes. Skaneateles Lake, however, at elevation 863 feet, may offer a less salubrious microclimate than larger, deeper and lower lakes, like Cayuga Lake, at elevation 382 feet. Anyela's Vineyards:Since planting vineyards in 2001, Anyela's Vineyards has three vintages in development and continues to grow in reputation as a vintner of exclusive wines for every occasion.

Keeping It Clean
In addition to its recreational value, pure water from Skaneateles Lake flows unfiltered to more than 220,000 households. Skaneateles Lake is the primary source of water for residents in and around the City of Syracuse. It is imperative that we all work to keep it clean. The Tri-County Skaneateles Lake Pure Water Association, Inc. takes all action necessary to protect and improve the water quality of Skaneateles Lake and to protect and improve its Watershed.

Personal
It seems like my family always uses Skaneateles Lake for special events such as anniversaries.  This normally includes dining at one of their great restaurants, including my all time favorite - Rosalie's Cucina.

References:
Note:  The information above was compiled from various websites.  It is meant to provide a general overview of the lake. It does not guarantee the accuracy or reliability of the information.

• http://www.skaneateleslake.org/lake.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skaneateles_Lake
• http://www.ilovethefingerlakes.com/lakes/Skaneateles.htm
• http://www.digital-librarian.com/skaneateles.html
• http://marinesource.com/boat_shows/skaneateles_antique_classic_boat_show.html