The lake is located approximately 30 miles (48 km) south of Rochester.

The name is derived from the Iroquois word ska-ne-a-dice, meaning long lake.

The lake has a surface area of 649 acres (2.63 km2) and a maximum depth of 95 feet (29 m).

To protect the water quality, no houses are permitted on its shore and boats are limited to 17 feet (5.2 m) in length and a must have a 10-horsepower engine or less.

All three trout species are annually stocked in the lake by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.