Although the Old Erie Canal is my go-to for after-work paddling, I’ve been trying to explore other places nearby. I had to be in Baldwinsville Friday evening for work, so I took the opportunity to plop the boat on and head to Meridian, NY right after to check out Otter Lake.

Apparently this and nearby Parker Pond are popular local fishing and hunting spots. And the presence of a number of hunting blinds around the lake means you might want to check the calendar before heading there. Access to Otter Lake is via a mobile home park that charges for parking. There are a handful of homes around the launch area, but the rest is country land, with some farms in the distance.

I have to say that it was pretty grassy to paddle in (and this is coming from someone who frequents the Erie Canal), but the launch is easy and there were some pretty sunset views in this lake nestled in the farm land of CNY.

Launch at sunset at Otter Lake

View down Otter Lake

View down Otter Lake

Trees at Otter Lake

Sunset at Otter Lake