Papish Pond

Papish Pond is a 38-acre pond in Cortland County with a distinction: it is the only public body of water in the county that remains entirely undeveloped. Its 1.1 miles of wild shoreline give paddlers a quiet, natural setting. It is a rare find in a county where most lakes and ponds have some development.

Gas motors are not allowed, so the calm water suits kayaking and paddleboarding. The pond is shallow, reaching a maximum depth of just 16 feet, and its warm water supports a lush aquatic garden. It is the kind of place where a slow paddle is the whole point.

What to Know

• No gas motors are allowed, which keeps the water calm and quiet.
• The pond is not stocked, but state surveys found bluegills and black crappies were the most common panfish.
• Surveys also turned up largemouth bass and chain pickerel.
• The shoreline is wild, with 1.1 miles of undeveloped edge.
• Experience Cortland, the area’s tourism group, features Papish Pond as a paddling spot.