Heuga's Alpine Restaurant & Bar
Tully, NY
Tully Lake is warm, shallow, and brimming with aquatic plant life. It is located on the borders of Cortland and Onondaga counties near the Village of Tully. The south end of Tully Lake is located in cortland county. Its shore is mostly wild and often peppered with grazing deer and other wildlife. The north shores are ringed with colorful lake houses, with a quaint island plunk in the middle. The water on a still day is crystal clear, so you can easily spot largemouth bass, chain pickerel, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, redbreast sunfish, black crappie, rock bass, yellow perch, golden shiner, brown bullhead, and cisco along the shallow edges. It is a very popular ice fishing location, as it's generally one of the first lakes in the area to freeze.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Tully Lake is 1.7 miles long, 32 feet at its deepest and boasts nearly 6 miles of idyllic shoreline. The only public launch for Tully Lake is located down a quiet country road in Prebel. There are no amenities on the premises, so be sure to practice Leave No Trace principles. The DEC asks that you properly disinfect your boat before and after to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. DEC Procedures To Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species. The launch is a small dirt hand launch and boats are limited to 7.5 horse power.
LAUNCH
Finding the launch can be a bit tricky. The DEC directions are best: Off Route 281, 2 ½ miles south of the Village of Tully, west on Song Lake Crossing, first right after crossing I-81 to Saulsbury Road, left on Friendly Shores Road. Hand launch is best for kayaks and paddle boards. (42.772606°N, 76.133954°W)