Facts About Big Stone Lake

Covers 12,610 acres of surface area

Is 26 miles long and averages about 1 mile wide

At an elevation of 965 feet, it is the lowest point in SD

It is the source of the Minnesota River which flows 332 miles to the Mississippi

Flow from the lake into the Minnesota River is regulated by the Big Stone Lake Dam at the southern end

The lake is fed by the Little Minnesota River at its north end

There are two state parks located at the lake—Big Stone Lake Park on the Minnesota side and Hartford Beach State Park on the South Dakota side.

Fish populations include walleye, northern pike, bluegills, crappies and perch and another 30 or so species

There are 12 public accesses for fishing use.

The Big Stone County Museum at the top of the hill above Ortonville houses a wealth of lake history.