Lake Lila is found entirely within the William C. Whitney Wilderness area and is located west of the Village of Long Lake.

This remote lake has both excellent warm and cold-water fishing. Lake Lila is a large, windswept wilderness lake where motor use is prohibited.

Fishing: Angling is often best in the early morning or near sunset when winds calm, and the fish start to rise. Both smallmouth bass and lake trout opportunities are great within Lake Lila. It has been reported that the smallies are found in the northeast end where rocky habitat abounds. The lakers are found in the deep water west of Buck and Spruce Islands. Lake Lila has a massive mayfly hatch in late June and early July which creates outstanding fly fishing opportunity for smallmouths.

Camping: There are 24 island and beach primitive campsites. Primitive tent sites and lean-tos are available on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved. If you find a tent site or lean-to with no people or gear, then you can camp there.

Hiking: Mt. Frederica (2,170ft) is the only mountain in the area with a trail to the summit. The summit provides views of Lake Lila and other lands and waters to the south and east. There are two starting points for this hike.

A 4.8-mile hike begins at the Lake Lila parking area and travels along a private access road. A trail intersects with road 0.2 mile after the road leaves the lake shore. The trail climbs 400 feet and 1.2 miles to the summit.

An access site on the western shore of Lake Lila at the site of a former lodge, not far from where the private access road leaves the lake allows paddlers to reduce the length of the hike to 1.6 miles.

Getting There: Lake Lila parking area lies at the end of the Lake Lila Road, 5.6 miles from the Sabbattis Road. A private access road continues past the gate at the end of the parking area. The public should not block the gate. The public can use the access road on foot only. (44.0192°N, 74.7264°W)

From the parking area, there are two trails that leave the lot. The .3-mile canoe carry trail leads you to a sandy beach on Lake Lila as well as accesses campsite #1. The other trail leads you to the west side of Lake Lila with access to campsites and the Lake Lila lean-to. The parking area is also where the trail to Frederica Mountain begins.

Featured areas are recommended by DEC. Map courtesy Adirondack Atlas.

Photo of Lake Lila courtesy DEC.