Known invasive species: Chinese mystery snail.
Keoka Lake has a public boat launch and public beach on Route 37. Keoka has no horsepower (HP) restrictions for boating.
Click on a program below for the most recent data summary. For descriptions of each program, return to our Lake Look-Up page.
Water Quality Monitoring SummaryKeoka Lake surface water chlorophyll (ppb), phosphorus (ppb), and Secchi depth (meters) data comparison. Colored areas represent the long-term range of values, from minimum to maximum. Area thickness indicates frequency of measurements at that value. Area thickness increases as more measurements are reported at that value. The vertical black line represents the long-term average value. The large red dot represents 2025’s average value. The small red dots represent individual readings taken in 2025.
Water Quality overview and methods
2025 as a Year (summary for all lakes)
Winter Water Monitoring Summary2025-2026 data will be available in May
High Resolution Temp. Monitoring SummaryTemperature maps were generated using daily mean temperature values, which help determine temperature across depth and time. Temperature is represented by colored contours, where the red to blue color range corresponds to a high to low temperature range. The vertical bar on the right side of the temperature map indicates the temperature each color represents in degrees Fahrenheit (°F). The horizontal axis shows the months sensors were deployed, while the left-hand vertical axis shows sensor depth (meters) below the water’s surface.
Temperature stratification shows up as areas of the plot where colors change in the vertical direction and contour lines are tilted more towards horizontal (from June through early November). The area where temperature changes most rapidly with depth is often referred to as the thermocline. Vertical contour lines indicate mixed conditions, and areas of a single color from top to bottom (such as late-October into November) indicate completely mixed conditions. Warm, stratified conditions stand out as darker red areas. Large gaps between lines means there is a large temperature difference between depths.
High Resolution Temperature Monitoring Methods and Reading Graphs
Algae Monitoring SummaryGraphs have been included for each test site to visually compare fluorometer, temperature, and oxygen profiles from May through September. The vertical axis (y-axis) indicates depth below the surface, while the horizontal axis (x-axis) represents reported values. Three different parameters are being reported on the same graph, which results in the value units for the horizontal axis varying, based on parameter. Units are noted in parentheses in the legend.
LEA also has active Courtesy Boat Inspection and LakeSmart programs on Keoka Lake and offers technical assistance to landowners through Clean Lake Check Ups.
Keoka Lake’s gravel and boulder shoreline provides excellent habitat for both smallmouth and largemouth bass. Although brook trout are stocked annually, oxygen levels in the deep, cool water during August and September are often below levels needed to sustain a healthy trout population. Keoka also supports populations of yellow perch, chain pickerel, hornpout, smelt, eel, white sucker, minnows, and pumpkinseed sunfish.
General fishing laws apply, except: S-2 (Closed to the taking of smelts, except by hook and line), S-3 (Direct tributaries closed to the taking of smelts), S-22 (Daily bag limit on landlocked salmon: 1 fish). From October 1 – December 31: ALO (Artificial lures only), S-7 (All trout, landlocked salmon, and togue caught must be released alive at once).
The Keoka Lake Watershed Project (2003-2006) involved surveying, documenting and then fixing areas within the Keoka Lake Watershed that were eroding and causing a negative impact on Keoka’s water quality. During the survey portion, volunteers from the Keoka Lake Association and residents from within the watershed as well as staff from the Department of Environmental Protection, the Soil and Water Conservation District and LEA helped locate, map out and document 65 sites where erosion was occurring. This information was then compiled into the Keoka Lake survey report which functions as a landowner handbook and reference for future mitigation work. Based on evaluations made in the survey, priority sites were chosen and then construction and mitigation work began on these sites to correct ongoing erosion. As part of this project, water quality improvements were completed on Plummer Hill Road, Mill Hill Road, the Johnson Road, Loon Echo Drive, Kimball Trail, Keoka Campground, the Hawk Mountain access road, at the boat launch and on individual lots.
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