Keuka Lake is an unusual member of the Finger Lakes because it is Y-shaped, instead of long and narrow. Because of its shape, it was referred to in the past as Crooked Lake. Keuka (pronounced: kyoo-kuh) means canoe landing in the Iroquois language.
The lake is about 20 miles long and varies in width from a half mile to two miles. The length of the shoreline is about 60 miles. It has a surface area of 11,730 acres, and a maximum and mean depth of 186 feet and 101 feet respectively. This body of water possesses large and healthy populations of lake trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, landlocked salmon, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and yellow perch. The productive fishery is supported by huge numbers of baitfish, most notably alewives (sawbellies), and is a very popular lake with area fishermen.
The village of Penn Yan, New York is at the northeastern tip of the lake, and Branchport is at the northwestern tip. Hammondsport lies at the south end of the lake.