Autumn Lake, New York, USA

Autumn Lake is a beautiful 8-acre private lake in Orwell, New York, just a few miles east of Pulaski in Oswego County. The secluded lake offers a peaceful and private setting, ideal for fun and relaxation. Several cottages and summer homes spaced out along the shoreline can be rented for summer or winter activities. In addition to some excellent bass fishing, snowmobile and cross country ski trails…
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All About Autumn Lake, NY

Autumn Lake is a beautiful 8-acre private lake in Orwell, New York, just a few miles east of Pulaski in Oswego County. The secluded lake offers a peaceful and private setting, ideal for fun and relaxation. Several cottages and summer homes spaced out along the shoreline can be rented for summer or winter activities. In addition to some excellent bass fishing, snowmobile and cross country ski trails run right by the lake.

Autumn Lake is a spring-fed lake with no public access. The water in the lake is crystal clear down to a depth of four feet. Canoes and kayaks are allowed on the water, but motorboats are not. Despite its small size, the lake is home to some incredibly monstrous largemouth bass. Smallmouth bass, trout, perch, bullhead, and bluegill also make their home in the lake. With a maximum depth of 20 feet, the water is perfect for swimming, boating and fishing. Most of the shoreline is high above the water, offering great views of the area. A naturally sloped area into the sparkling water makes an excellent launch point for canoes, kayaks and rowboats. Because visitors to the lake are few, paddlers can enjoy having the lake mostly to themselves. The lake is on a direct migration route for many bird species, so sharing the water with geese and ducks may be required.

Autumn Lake is conveniently located near several larger lakes and state forests. Across the street from the lake, visitors can fish for salmon and steelhead trout in the famous Salmon River and Salmon River Lower Reservoir, also known as the Lighthouse Hill Reservoir. Long known for its spectacular chinook salmon runs in the autumn, Salmon River is gaining a well-deserved reputation for its excellent brown trout and steelhead fisheries. Atlantic salmon, smallmouth bass, and largemouth bass can also be found in these waters. Chinook catches average between 15 to 25 pounds while steelhead run from five to 15 pounds and brown trout often top 10 pounds, reaching a whopping 15 pounds. Being aggressive fighters, pulling these monsters from deep or moving water can be an exciting challenge.

Three miles upstream, the Salmon River Falls offers one of the most picturesque settings in upstate New York. A 110-foot waterfall and a spectacular river gorge make the site very popular with tourists. Further upstream, 3,379-acre Upper Salmon River Reservoir and several state forests can be found. Motorboat enthusiasts renting a cottage on Autumn Lake will find several state boat launches on the upper reservoir which can accommodate almost every kind of water-related activity.

Guests of Autumn Lake who enjoy hiking and wildlife viewing will greatly enjoy the Upper Salmon River Area, located in New York State’s Tug Hill Region. The Salmon River State Forest (2,033 acres), O’Hara State Forest (1,064 acres), Hall Island State Forest (2,029 acres), Battle Hill State Forest (1,738 acres), West Osceola State Forest (1,900 acres), Jackson Road Fishing Access (36 acres) and Conservation Easement lands (151 acres) on Huckleberry and Burdick Islands within the Salmon River Reservoir are open to the public. Fishing, hunting, camping, nature watching, hiking, snowmobiling, cross country skiing and trapping opportunities abound. In the fall, the changing trees are especially beautiful, and hiking trails throughout the woods are great for a family outing and picnic.

The Salmon River Fish Hatchery is just a few miles southwest of Autumn Lake in the town of Altmar. The hatchery is open to the public seven days a week from March 15 to November 30. Just below the hatchery, a ‘fly fishing only’ section of the Salmon River is available on Beaverdam Brook. The hatchery raises approximately 250,000 coho, 3.2 million chinook, 750,000 steelhead, 300,000 brown trout and 150,000 landlocked salmon each year.

Just a short drive west of Autumn Lake, Selkirk Shores is a beautiful beach on the shore of Lake Ontario. Swimming, fishing, boating, and walking the trails are the main summer activities. In the winter, cross country skiers and snowmobilers enjoy the trails. With the 1000 Islands of Alexandria Bay just over an hour away, visitors can experience the beauty and culture of the U.S. – Canadian border. The cities of Syracuse, Oswego and Watertown are all within 40 miles of Autumn Lake and offer unique local stores, great restaurants, and scenic golf courses. Additional accommodations and vacation rentals can also be found throughout the area. Real estate in the form of homes and land is also available for anyone considering a summer home or campsite.

A premier fishing destination, Autumn Lake and the surrounding area is renowned for the quality and diversity of its fisheries. In the winter, record snowfalls provide perfect conditions for cross country skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. Whether you are looking for the thrill of the great outdoors or an escape from the every day, you’ll be sure to find it on the quiet waters of Autumn Lake.

Things to Do at Autumn Lake

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

  • Vacation Rentals
  • Fishing
  • Boating
  • Swimming
  • Beach
  • Canoeing
  • Kayaking
  • Golf
  • Camping
  • Picnicking
  • Hiking
  • Cross-Country Skiing
  • Snowmobiling
  • Hunting
  • Waterfall
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • State Forest

What Kind of Fish Are in Autumn Lake?

Autumn Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

  • Bass
  • Black Bass
  • Bluegill
  • Brown Trout
  • Chinook Salmon
  • Largemouth Bass
  • Perch
  • Salmon
  • Smallmouth Bass
  • Steelhead Trout
  • Sunfish
  • Trout
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Find Places to Stay at Autumn Lake

If you’re considering a Autumn 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.

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More Sites to Book a Autumn Lake Vacation

Our interactive Autumn 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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Autumn Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Not Dammed

Surface Area: 8 acres

Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 646 feet

Maximum Depth: 20 feet

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