Bear Lake (Chautauqua County, New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bear Lake |
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 Bear Lake
Location in New York
Bear Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Chautauqua County, New York, United States |
| Coordinates | 42°20′49″N 79°23′01″W / 42.3468723°N 79.3836174°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 116 acres (0.47 km2) |
| Average depth | 10 feet (3.0 m) |
| Max. depth | 35 feet (11 m) |
| Shore length1 | 2.5 miles (4.0 km) |
| Surface elevation | 1,316 feet (401 m) |
| Settlements | Kelly Corners, New York |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Bear Lake is a beautiful lake located in the western part of New York State. It's a popular spot for fishing and enjoying nature. You can find this lake just north of a small community called Kelly Corners.
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About Bear Lake
Bear Lake is part of Chautauqua County. It's a freshwater lake that offers a peaceful escape for visitors. The lake is quite small, covering an area of about 116 acres (which is roughly the size of 88 football fields!).
How Big is Bear Lake?
The lake isn't very deep in most places. Its average depth is about 10 feet. However, in some spots, it can get as deep as 35 feet. If you wanted to walk all the way around the edge of the lake, you would travel about 2.5 miles. The lake sits at an elevation of 1,316 feet above sea level.
Fishing at Bear Lake
Bear Lake is well-known for its many different types of fish. It's a great place for young anglers to try their luck!
What Fish Live Here?
You can find a variety of fish species swimming in Bear Lake. Some of the popular ones include:
- Largemouth bass: A popular sport fish known for its fighting spirit.
- Northern pike: A long, predatory fish that can grow quite large.
- Smallmouth bass: Another type of bass, often found in clearer, cooler waters.
- Pumpkinseed sunfish: A colorful, small fish with bright markings.
- Bluegill: A common panfish, easy to catch and fun for beginners.
- Tiger muskie: A hybrid fish, a mix of muskellunge and northern pike.
- Muskellunge: Often called "muskie," these are large, powerful fish.
- Walleye: A popular game fish known for its delicious taste.
- Yellow perch: A common schooling fish, good for eating.
- Black bullhead: A type of catfish, often found near the bottom.
Accessing the Lake
If you want to go fishing or launch a small boat, there's a special spot on the east side of the lake. It's a state-owned hand launch, which means you can put in canoes, kayaks, or small boats that don't need a big ramp. You can find this launch off Bear Lake Road.
