The cleanest of the Finger Lakes, its water is so pure that the city of Syracuse and other municipalities use it unfiltered.

The transient and seasonal population of this tourist destination and summer resort surges during the warmer months.

The falls are part of the Bahar Nature Preserve that extends along Bear Swamp Creek to the lake.

Glen Haven, a hamlet located there, once featured a large resort hotel but now offers smaller visitor accommodations and seasonal dining.

The hamlet of Borodino in Spafford retains an 1830 church, little altered, in the Federal style and noted as a center of the abolitionist movement where Frederick Douglass spoke.

There is a New York state public boat launch site on the lake's west side just south of the Skaneateles Country Club marina.

The town of Spafford has a public boat launch near Borodino on the east side of the lake about four miles south of the Skaneateles Sailing Club.

In its 2012 Angler Diary, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation cites thirteen species of fish that live in Skaneateles Lake.

These species include: rainbow trout, lake trout, lake whitefish, landlocked salmon, smallmouth bass, cisco, rock bass, chain pickerel, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, brown bullhead, bluegill, and common carp.

[10] The virus and disease are not a threat to human health, but the state of New York is working to slow its spread to other lakes.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the lake is affected by pollution from agriculture sources (pesticide and fertilizer use, manure production, and sedimentation), residential sources (septic systems, lawn care, and construction), and streambank erosion.

However, the water clarity quality has reduced in recent years because of massive algal bloom outbreaks.

[14] According to the Skaneateles Lake Association, a preliminary analysis indicated the source of the foam was anionic surfactants released during the natural breakdown of organic matter.