kids encyclopedia robot

Big Spirit Lake facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Spirit Lake
Location of Big Spirit Lake in Iowa, USA.
Location of Big Spirit Lake in Iowa, USA.
Spirit Lake
Location in Iowa
Location of Big Spirit Lake in Iowa, USA.
Location of Big Spirit Lake in Iowa, USA.
Spirit Lake
Location in the United States
Location Dickinson County, Iowa
Coordinates 43°28′26″N 95°06′06″W / 43.4739°N 95.1018°W / 43.4739; -95.1018
Basin countries United States
Surface area 5,684 acres (2,300 ha)
Average depth 17 ft (5.2 m)
Max. depth 24 ft (7.3 m)
Wpdms usgs topo spirit lake
Spirit Lake, in the Iowa Great Lakes region.
Lewis clark Boyer soldier littlesioux floyd
This excerpt from the Lewis and Clark map of 1814 shows western Iowa. Spirit Lake is near the upper center of the map.

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

Geology

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

Recreation

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.

Kiteboarding is also a popular activity on Big Spirit Lake.

PostcardSpiritLakeRegionIowa1907
Postcard of the Spirit Lake region, mailed in 1907
kids search engine
Big Spirit Lake Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.