Lake Ontario
Marine Sanctuary

The proposed Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary is a 1,724-square mile area located in eastern Lake Ontario. In 2017, Wayne, Cayuga, Oswego and Jefferson counties and the city of Oswego began the application process to have the area designated as a marine sanctuary based on the cultural and historic significance of its waters. When designated, the sanctuary would create vast opportunities for education, research, recreation and tourism.

In April 2019, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced its intent to designate a new national marine sanctuary in the Great Lakes in recognition of its historical, cultural and archeological resources. Under this designation, the agency would manage, research, interpret and improve public access to a nationally significant collection of maritime heritage resources including historic shipwrecks.

With input from the public, stakeholders and New York State, the agency published a draft environmental impact statement, draft management plan and proposed rule to move forward with the designation process. If successful, the proposed Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary would be only the 16th marine sanctuary in the United States, providing an international stage for promoting education, research, tourism and recreation. 

Oneida Lake

The proposed sanctuary boundary on eastern Lake Ontario includes 43 known shipwrecks and one known submerged aircraft, representing more than 200 years of maritime history. Historical records indicate that another 20 shipwrecks, three submerged aircrafts and multiple archeological sites could potentially be located within the proposed sanctuary boundary as well.

The area is also the site of portions of the original homelands of the Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Oneida nations, as the Haudenosaunee Confederacy lived along Lake Ontario more than 1,000 years ago.

Maritime enthusiasts, scuba divers, educators and researchers are welcome to visit Oswego County, New York and check out the exciting new opportunities the proposed sanctuary brings to the area! For more information on Oswego County shipwrecks and diving opportunities, visit our diving page.

In addition to diving opportunities, Lake Ontario is also home to superb fishing. Get a Lake Ontario fishing report, courtesy of Oswego County Tourism, at our fishing report, or by calling the Fish & Fun Line at 1-800-248-4FUN (4386).

For more information on the proposed Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary, visit https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/lake-ontario/.