is a natural body of water, approximately 5,684
Acre s (23.01 km&
2) in area, in
Dickinson County in northwest
Iowa in the
United States . It is part of the chain of lakes known as the
Iowa Great Lakes , the northern shore of the lake straddles the border with
Minnesota . It is the largest natural lake in Iowa. The Dakotah Indian name for the lake was Minnewaukon. Early French traders named it Lac D' Esprit after the Indian legends of an evil spirit who dwelled in the lake.
Its maximum depth is 24 feet (7.3 m), and the mean depth is 17 feet (5 m). The drainage area of the lake is approximately 22
Square Mile s (57 km&
2). It has a drainage area of approximately 75 mi&
2 (194 km&
2), most of which is in Minnesota.
Geologically, the lake, like its neighbors, is a
Glacial Pothole , a remnant of the most recent
Ice Age approximately 13,000 years ago.
The lake is a popular fishing destination in the region. It contains over 40 species of fish, 13 of which are typically caught. Fishing for
Walleye and
Yellow Perch is typically done by boat or through the ice. Fishing for
Bullhead is common from the shore during the spring. A state-operated fish hatchery also provides significant populations of
Largemouth Bass ,
Smallmouth Bass ,
Northern Pike ,
Muskie ,
Crappie , and
Bluegill .
The all-time big fish records for
Freshwater Drum and
Muskellunge were set from catches in the lake.
