This study investigated relationships between aquatic macrophyte distributions and water quality indicators across waterbodies in New York’s Finger Lakes region. Water chemistry data from the established Citizen Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP) and macrophyte distribution data, primarily from the Finger Lakes Institute’s Watercraft Inspection Steward Program (WISP) and Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) program, were utilized as the basis of this work. Study objectives included characterizing water quality and macrophyte variability among waterbodies in the Finger Lakes region, determining regional relationships between macrophyte occurrences and water quality indicators, and training watercraft inspection stewards and research students to collect standardized macrophyte and water chemistry data.