Lake Ontario in the U.S.

Overview of Lake Ontario in the U.S.

• Location: Borders New York’s northern and western shores, spanning counties like Monroe, Wayne, Oswego, and Niagara. It’s the easternmost Great Lake, shared with Ontario, Canada.

• Size: Roughly 7,340 square miles total, with about 40% in the U.S. New York’s shoreline stretches 393 miles, including bays and islands.

• Depth: Averages 283 feet, with a maximum of 802 feet, making it the 13th deepest lake globally.
  

Native Wildflowers Around Lake Ontario

Natural flowers growing near Lake Ontario, the region’s wetlands, dunes, and parks host native species, particularly in state parks like Lakeside or Hamlin Beach. Notable examples include:

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis): Bright red, tube-shaped flowers found in wetlands along streams like Siren Creek, blooming late summer. They attract hummingbirds and thrive in moist soils.

• Lizard’s-tail (Saururus cernuus): White, spike-like flowers in marshy areas, seen in places like Lakeside State Park, blooming June to August. They prefer shady, wet habitats.

• Purple Trillium (Trillium erectum): Purplish-brown flowers with an unpleasant odor, common in wooded areas near the lake, blooming April to June. They’re pollinated by carrion flies.

• Yellow Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum): A striking orchid with yellow, slipper-shaped blooms, found in rich woods or bogs along the northern lake border, flowering May to July.

These grow in diverse habitats like the Lake Ontario Lowlands or sand dunes (e.g., Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes), but many aren’t widely available commercially due to specific soil needs or conservation status. Visiting parks like Fair Haven Beach or Chimney Bluffs in spring or summer offers the best chance to see them. Be cautious not to pick wildflowers, as some, like trilliums, are protected, and ecosystems here are fragile.

Aquatic Animals in Lake Ontario

Fish:

• Chinook Salmon: Stocked for sportfishing, these thrive in deep waters, migrating to tributaries like Salmon River to spawn. They grow up to 30 pounds and draw anglers to ports like Oswego.

• Lake Trout: Native species, rebounding due to restoration efforts. Found in colder, deeper zones, they’re a key predator, feeding on smaller fish like alewife.

• Yellow Perch: Abundant in shallow bays (e.g., Sodus Bay), popular for fishing and a food source for larger fish. They school in waters 10–50 feet deep.

• Alewife: Small, silvery fish, non-native but critical prey for salmon and trout. They swarm in spring, sometimes washing ashore in large die-offs.

• Invasive Species: Zebra and quagga mussels clog pipes and alter food webs, while round gobies compete with native fish in rocky shallows.

Other Aquatic Life:

• Freshwater Mussels: Native species like the fatmucket are rare due to invasives but persist in tributaries like the Genesee River.

• Plankton: Microscopic zooplankton and phytoplankton form the food web’s base, supporting fish populations, though blooms are monitored for toxins in areas like Rochester’s Irondequoit Bay.

Terrestrial Animals Around Lake Ontario

Birds:

• Bald Eagle: Common along the shoreline, especially near Braddock Bay, nesting in tall trees and hunting fish. Their recovery is a conservation success, with dozens of pairs in New York.

• Migratory Waterfowl: Ducks (mallards, scaup) and geese stop in wetlands like Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge during spring and fall migrations.

• Shorebirds: Piping plovers (endangered) nest on sandy beaches like Sandy Island, while gulls and terns dominate coastal areas.

Mammals:

• White-tailed Deer: Widespread in forests and fields near parks like Hamlin Beach, often seen at dusk.

• Red Fox: Roams dunes and grasslands, preying on rodents around Chimney Bluffs and Fair Haven.

• Beaver: Active in tributaries and wetlands, building dams that create habitats for amphibians and fish.

Amphibians and Reptiles:

• Northern Leopard Frog: Found in marshes like those at Sterling Nature Center, breeding in spring pools.

• Snapping Turtle: Common in shallow bays and river mouths, like the Oswego River, foraging on fish and plants.

• Garter Snake: Abundant in grassy areas near trails, harmless and feeding on insects and small amphibians.

Ecological Notes

• Habitats: Lake Ontario’s U.S. side includes sandy dunes (Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes), wetlands (Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge), and rocky cliffs (Chimney Bluffs), each supporting unique species.

• Challenges: Invasive species (e.g., sea lamprey) harm native fish, while pollution and habitat loss threaten birds like the piping plover. Restoration projects, like those by the EPA’s Great Lakes Program, aim to protect biodiversity.

• Viewing Opportunities: Spring and summer are best for spotting wildlife. Try Fair Haven Beach for turtles, Braddock Bay for eagles, or Sodus Point for fish during salmon runs.

Economic Importance

• Shipping: Ports like Rochester and Oswego handle bulk goods (grain, cement) via the St. Lawrence Seaway, connecting to the Atlantic. The lake supports regional trade, though it’s less busy than Lakes Erie or Michigan.

• Fishing: Commercial and recreational fishing thrive, targeting salmon, trout, and walleye. The lake’s stocked Chinook salmon draw anglers, boosting local economies (e.g., $100 million annually in New York’s sportfishing).

• Energy: Hydropower from the Niagara River (fed by Lake Ontario) powers much of western New York via plants like the Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant.

Tourism and Recreation

• State Parks: Popular spots include Hamlin Beach (camping, trails), Chimney Bluffs (dramatic cliffs), and Fair Haven Beach (swimming, fishing). These attract over 2 million visitors yearly.

• Wineries: The Lake Ontario Wine Trail in Wayne County features vineyards like Young Sommer Winery, leveraging the lake’s microclimate for grape growing.

• Boating: Marinas in Sodus Bay and Wilson host sailing and yachting events. The lake’s calm summer waters are ideal for kayaking or charters.

• Lighthouses: Historic sites like the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse in Rochester or Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse in Niagara County draw history buffs.

Environmental Notes

• Water Quality: Improved since the 1970s due to regulations, but phosphorus runoff causes algae blooms, especially in bays like Sodus. Invasive species like zebra mussels remain a challenge.

• Conservation: Efforts like the Lake Ontario Partnership (U.S.-Canada) focus on ecosystem health, protecting wetlands and native species like lake sturgeon.