Pickerel Lake is a 955-acre spring-fed lake

Lake

A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...

 located in Day County, South Dakota

Day County, South Dakota

As of the census of 2000, there were 6,267 people, 2,586 households, and 1,688 families residing in the county. The population density was 6 people per square mile . There were 3,618 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. Pickerel Lake is part of the Glacial Lakes Region that encompasses much of Northeast South Dakota and streches along the Coteau des Prairies

Coteau des Prairies

The Coteau des Prairies is a plateau approximately 200 miles in length and 100 miles in width , rising from the prairie flatlands in eastern South Dakota, southwestern Minnesota, and northwestern Iowa in the United States...

 hills. The area was formed thousands of years ago by glacial activity. Many of the depressions left behind were filled by melting glaciers. This area is also referred to as the Prairie Pothole Region. Pickerel Lake is one of the deepest natural lakes in South Dakota. The name originated from an American Indian name meaning "where you spear long fish." Excursion boats were common until the early 1900's. A fish hatchery was built in 1929 and abandoned in 1979, when a new facility was built at Blue Dog Lake.

Recreation

Pickerel Lake boasts many water-based recreational activities such as boating and fishing. Pickerel Lake Recreation Area is a state park that has two campgrounds referred to as the East Unit and West Unit offering a total of 77 campsites and six cabins.