Conesus Lake: How a Community Changes With the Climate

Conesus Lake: How a Community Changes with the Climate

By Liam Conroe and Rose Chin

A fisherman stands in the shallows of Conesus Lake as he prepares to cast out a line on Mar. 3, 2024, in Lakeville, NY. The mild winter has resulted in the lake hardly freezing over, unlike previous years where the lake would see thick ice coverage. (Photo by Rose Chin)

HENRIETTA, N.Y.- Residents of the Conesus Lake region in Livingston County, NY have experienced the impact of climate fluctuation, which has altered the day-to-day dynamics of winter life.

Early in the morning, fishers in Lakeville, NY are greeted with foggy conditions in their pursuit of their newest catch. Some anglers are able to stand in the water, while others attempt to snag fish from the lake’s edge. 

Considering the usual climate around the Genesee watershed, the ability to stand in the lake to catch fish at this time of year very much differs from the normal tendencies of the area.

For many years, locals and visitors flocked to the lake area to enjoy prominent winter activities such as snowmobiling, duck hunting, and especially ice fishing. For years, families flocked to the lake to enjoy the unique experience that is ice fishing on the lake. However, with higher than usual temperatures throughout this season, locals and travelers in the region have been restricted in pursuing their winter fun.

The Conesus Lake Association (CLA) has served as a non-profit homeowners association for over 90 years and sponsored a variety of events around the lake. The organization aims to promote the welfare of the environment around the lake and the residents within. The CLA’s current president, Chris Willoughby, moved up through the organization, gaining valuable experience, until he earned himself a one year term for the position. Willoughby confirms that the recent weather has heavily impacted the event planning process this year.

“Local organizations have organized fishing contests throughout the year and even in the winter time with ice fishing tournaments,” said Willoughby, “but these activities have been occurring much less this year.”

Fishing contests, even in the winter, have been crucial events for the economy and tourism of the Conesus Lake area. However, the inconsistent weather has created a situation where it is both difficult to partake in normal fishing and impossible for ice fishing, essentially eliminating the contests which have become commonplace.

Doc’s Tackle, a local bait and tackle shop, sits beside Conesus Lake and Vitale Park on Mar. 3, 2024, in Lakeville, NY. Doc’s previously hosted a few ice-fishing tournaments before the lake stopped freezing as consistently.

(Photo by Rose Chin)

Commonly in the winter, many residents who live in Conesus Lake during the more temperate months migrate to other areas for warmer weather. Recently though, partially due to the more mild climate, more people are now living in the area year-round rather than part-time.

One such town around the lake is Lakeville, NY, where visitors and residents can enjoy their time by the lake at Vitale Park. While Lakeville is a small town, visitors arrive to the area eager to enjoy their time at Conesus Lake and engage in local business, which the community relies on.

“Despite some prominent local businesses, it is not a very large commercial area,” declared Willoughby. “The local community alone is sometimes not large enough to support businesses, despite more people now living here year-round.”

While more people are staying in the community for a longer duration of time, the lack of recreational activities has taken away much of the tourism that the lake and its surrounding businesses have relied on. Often, groups who are in the area for ice fishing tournaments or other events have brought welcomed business for locals. However, without the usual proceedings, the area’s supplementary community has diminished.

The notion that the “cottage community” of Conesus Lake is declining in comparison to permanent residents was also reflected by local realtor Dawn LoPresto.

“Conesus has been known for hunting, fishing, and other recreational sports,” said LoPresto. “The changes in weather and the local community have shifted the focus from cottages and rentals to more permanent housing options.”

Even the CLA had previously focused on the cottage community around the lake, with the moniker of the Cottagers Association of Conesus Lake. Over the years, the organization has instead shifted its focus to the lake environment.

Recent trends over the past two years with warmer temperatures and a lack of ice have heavily shifted both the winter action for residents and the local businesses around the Finger Lakes. Drake Lortscher, a 25-year-old manager at the local fishing store Doc’s Tackle in Honeoye, N.Y., emphasizes the importance of ice fishing and the climate for their local business.

“It’s amazing from a sales standpoint, ice season accounts for our quarter-one sales, that’s really our growth opportunity each year,” said Lortscher. “A lack of ice almost puts us at a stalemate for being able to grow and expand the business.”

Drake Lortscher, 25, stands for a portrait in Doc’s Tackle in Honeoye, NY, on Feb. 21, 2024. (Photo by Rose Chin)

With a couple local ice fishing circuits around, tournaments are put on during most years. The last time there was a prominent local tournament, Doc’s Tackle had almost 200 people visit their shop to gear up.

“Getting that kind of number of people in town, not only for us but for the other local businesses, is crucial,” said Lortscher. “It's tough now without that weekday business of that influx of people coming in for the tournaments and events on the lake.”

After opening the establishment five years ago, the business progressively continued growing each year with the help of strong ice seasons. The first three years, which saw more traditional cold climates for the area, provided the opportunity to advance the shop even more.

Now, anglers are still very much excited about the prospect of ice fishing. When the Finger Lakes had fishable ice, customers were flocking to the building. However, with the inconsistent winter weather, shoppers are hesitant to buy large amounts of gear which they cannot use without the ice.

The “ice room”, a corner of Doc’s Tackle dedicated to ice-fishing gear, remains filled to the brim with equipment on Feb. 21, 2024, in Honeoye, NY. (Photo by Rose Chin)

“As soon as that ice hits, the guys are still there and there’s still a demand for it, but for them it’s frustrating because they buy gear and can’t use it without the ice,” Lortscher stated. “There's absolutely still a demand, it’s just trying to play the mother nature aspect of it when it comes to ordering materials.”

Many who have not taken part in ice fishing may wonder what makes it special as an activity. While going out on a frozen lake, freezing in 10 degree weather and drilling a hole for fish doesn’t naturally sound like the most fun activity, many fishers insist that ice fishing is a remarkable experience. Ultimately, climate change has altered the dynamics of the Conesus Lake community as a whole, particularly activities like ice fishing, which has been enjoyed for generations on the lake.

“For me, part of the feeling of ice fishing is the nostalgic aspect of it because I went ice fishing as a kid with my father and grandfather,” said Lortscher, "it's refreshing, the fresh air cools your system off and it’s relaxing. It’s a great way to sit out in nature and just breathe for a while.”