Big Spirit Lake is a natural body of water, approximately 5,684 acres (2,300 ha) 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 Dakota name for the lake was Minnewaukon. Early French traders named it Lac d'Esprit after the Native legends of an evil spirit who dwelled in the lake.[citation needed]

Spirit Lake
Location of Big Spirit Lake in Iowa, USA.
Location of Big Spirit Lake in Iowa, USA.
Spirit Lake
Location of Big Spirit Lake in Iowa, USA.
Location of Big Spirit Lake in Iowa, USA.
Spirit Lake
LocationDickinson County, Iowa
Coordinates43°28′26″N 95°06′06″W / 43.4739°N 95.1018°W / 43.4739; -95.1018
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface area5,684 acres (2,300 ha)
Average depth17 ft (5.2 m)
Max. depth24 ft (7.3 m)
Surface elevation1,404 ft (428 m)[1]
Spirit Lake, in the Iowa Great Lakes region.
This excerpt from the Lewis and Clark map of 1814 shows western Iowa. Spirit Lake is near the upper center of the map.

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 miles (57 km²). It has a drainage area of approximately 75 mi² (194 km²), most of which is in Minnesota.[citation needed]

Geology

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Geologically, the lake, like its neighbors, is a glacial pothole, a remnant of the most recent ice age approximately 13,000 years ago.

Recreation

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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 Iowa all-time big fish records for freshwater drum and muskellunge were set from catches in the lake.[citation needed]

Kiteboarding is also a popular activity[according to whom?] on Big Spirit Lake.[citation needed]

See also

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References

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Postcard of the Spirit Lake region, mailed in 1907