South Dakota, unlike its neighbor to the east, is not known as a land of abundant lakes. In the northeast corner of South Dakota, there are so many lakes you’d think you’re still in Minnesota. Heading west or south from there, the lakes get fewer and farther between. The scarcity of lakes in much of South Dakota is part of what makes the few good ones so appreciated by the state’s residents. In central/eastern South Dakota, one of those few nice lakes is Lake Mitchell.
Circa 1930s
Lake Mitchell is a man-made reservoir that was created by damming Firesteel Creek in 1928. For decades to follow, the lake served as a reservoir supplying the water needs of Mitchell residents. In modern times, the city built a Missouri River pipeline, so the lake is now mostly a recreational destination and serves only a backup water-supply role.
The Lake has multiple hiking trails around it and one in particular stretches between the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village and the Kiwanis Woodlot Park, a distance of about three-fourths of a mile. The trees and the seclusion of this trail make you feel like you’re in a state park, even though you’re within the city limits and there are some great close-up views of the lake. For people coming by on I-90 and stopping at the Corn Palace, hiking the trail would be a perfect way to bust up the boredom of the road, breathe some fresh air and get some exercise. Additionally, there are several nice places to have a picnic around the lake at the public access areas.
Circa 1929
Beyond the trails, Lake Mitchell is obviously a good place for on-the-water recreation such as fishing, water-skiing, canoeing and kayaking. There are various places to put boats in the water, including an especially nice boat ramp on the lake’s south side. There’s also a fishing bridge situated next to a playground on the lake’s west end, a handicap fishing pier on the lake’s east end, two beaches on the lake’s north side, a great campground, and group-rental facilities such as the Lake Mitchell Day Camp. It’s the wide variety of recreation available at Lake Mitchell, plus its easy access within the city limits of Mitchell, that makes it one of South Dakota’s undiscovered treasures.
Excerpts by Seth Tupper from www.southdakota.com website blog.