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Big Stone Lake, Minnesota & South Dakota, USA

Big Stone Lake’s sparkling blue water covers 12,360 acres and forms the border between western Minnesota and northeastern South Dakota. This picturesque lake dates back 20,000 years to the last ice age when glacial Lake Agassiz passed through the Traverse Gap and emptied into glacial River Warren. The valley of that prehistoric river is now Big Stone Lake. Scientists have discovered skeletons of humans that lived near…
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    • All About Big Stone Lake, MN/SD

    Lake Locations: USA - US Midwest Region - Minnesota - Central Minnesota - South Dakota - Glacial Lakes & Prairies Region, SD -

    Big Stone Lake’s sparkling blue water covers 12,360 acres and forms the border between western Minnesota and northeastern South Dakota. This picturesque lake dates back 20,000 years to the last ice age when glacial Lake Agassiz passed through the Traverse Gap and emptied into glacial River Warren. The valley of that prehistoric river is now Big Stone Lake. Scientists have discovered skeletons of humans that lived near the lake 12,000 years ago, and there is proof that an Indian-like people made their home near the lake in ancient times. Big Stone Lake gets its name from a Sioux word for the granite that was found in a nearby Minnesota Valley.

    Big Stone Lake is fed by the Little Minnesota River from the north and by the Whetstone River from the south. Big Stone Lake is the source of the Minnesota River; flow from the lake to the Minnesota River is controlled by the Big Stone Lake Dam, which is owned and operated by the State of Minnesota. The 26-mile-long freshwater lake, which is approximately one mile wide and 965 feet above sea level, is also a reservoir for the Minnesota Valley. In addition to recreation, Big Stone Lake provides for fish and wildlife propagation, livestock watering, and irrigation.

    A favorite spot for boaters, swimmers and anglers, Big Stone Lake has an average depth of 8 feet with a maximum depth of 16 feet. Sixty-two miles of emerald green shoreline are dotted with fabulous vacation resorts, boat launches, and 12 public access areas for fishing. If fishing is what brings you to the lake, you will delight in the abundance and variety of fish species: walleye, white bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, rock bass and over 30 other species can be found in Big Stone Lake.

    Two magnificent state parks near the lake–Big Stone Lake Park in Minnesota and Hartford Beach State Park in South Dakota–offer visitors and residents a never-ending selection of fun and entertainment. Picnic areas, boat launches, camping facilities, swimming areas, and walking and hiking trails can be found at both parks. Sunbathers can soak in some rays at the water’s edge or while out on a boat.

    While nothing beats a dip in the cool refreshing lake on a hot summer day, if you are looking for fun out of the water try bird watching, visiting the Big Stone County Museum, shopping for antiques, playing 18 holes of golf, or checking out the educational center and learning about the history of the lake and the surrounding area. The Charles Hanson North American Wildlife Collection, located on the grounds of the Big Stone County Museum, features a fascinating collection of over 500 waterfowl along with exotic birds and animals from around the world.

    Ortonville, Minnesota is the closest town to the lake and along with Big Stone City, South Dakota hosts a variety of events such as horse rides, world class fishing tournaments, historic boat tours and a yearly Corn Fest. Ortonville offers winter recreation too. Cross-country skiing is a favorite activity, and there is a growing interest in snowmobiling due to an increase in challenging but well-marked trails.

    Big Stone Lake offers breathtaking views and year-round recreation for the entire family. So when considering your next vacation destination or contemplating a new permanent residence, choose Big Stone Lake and you will surely be satisfied.

    Things to Do at Big Stone Lake

    These are some activities in the Big Stone Lake, MN/SD area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Fishing Tournaments
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Golf
    • Camping
    • Picnicking
    • Hiking
    • Cross-Country Skiing
    • Snowmobiling
    • Horseback Riding
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Birding
    • State Park
    • Museum
    • Antiquing
    • Shopping

    What Kind of Fish Are in Big Stone Lake?

    Big Stone Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Bluegill
    • Crappie
    • Northern Pike
    • Perch
    • Pike
    • Sunfish
    • Walleye
    • White Bass
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    Find Places to Stay at Big Stone Lake

    If you’re considering a Big Stone Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Big Stone Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Big Stone Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Big Stone Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Dammed

    Water Level Control: State of Minnesota

    Surface Area: 12,360 acres

    Shoreline Length: 62 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 965 feet

    Average Depth: 8 feet

    Maximum Depth: 16 feet

    Water Volume: 98,880 acre-feet

    Trophic State: Eutrophic

    Big Stone Lake Map
    Local Weather Forecast

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