Big Creek Lake (Iowa)


Big Creek Lake is a lake situated in the Big Creek State Park in Polk County, Iowa. The lake is situated two miles to the north of Polk City, spreads across 814 acres (329 ha), and its mean depth is 17.3 feet (5.3 m) (maximum 51 feet (16 m) deep). The lake's purpose was to protect Polk City from floods. It was a part of the Saylorville project. It provides numerous recreational options including fishing, picnicking, swimming, boating, camping, and others.[2][3]

Big Creek Lake
Location of Big Creek Lake in Iowa, USA.
Location of Big Creek Lake in Iowa, USA.
Big Creek Lake
Location of Big Creek Lake in Iowa, USA.
Location of Big Creek Lake in Iowa, USA.
Big Creek Lake
LocationBig Creek State Park, Polk City, Iowa
Coordinates41°48′43″N 93°44′28″W
TypeLake
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface area814 acres (329 ha)
Average depth17.3 ft (5.3 m)
Max. depth167 ft (51 m)
Surface elevation920 ft (280 m) [1]

Hunting

Hunting is not allowed in many regions of the state park because of it being a wildlife refuge. However, hunting on the lake and some other designated areas is allowed and are marked with public hunting signs. Popular animals for hunting include pheasants, rabbit, deer, and squirrel.[3]

Fishing

The Big Creek Lake provides fishing options all year-round. The most common catches at the lake include crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, walleye, channel catfish and muskie. In 2012, a physical fish barrier was put up by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and some local fishing organizations. The purpose of the barrier was to stock adult walleye and muskellunge because of a large-scale loss of the species in the lake from 2007 through 2010.[3][4]

Boating facilities

Boats of all sizes can be operated in the lake. There are a total of six ramps on the lake including three on the west, two on the east, and one hazel ramp on the upper end.[3]

References
  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Big Creek Lake (Iowa)
  2. "Big Creek Lake - Iowa DNR". www.iowadnr.gov. Retrieved 2020-06-24.
  3. "Big Creek State Park - Iowa DNR". www.iowadnr.gov. Retrieved 2020-06-24.
  4. Dan Anderson (2010-10-04). "Big Creek Lake's Walleye Secret". Game & Fish. Retrieved 2020-06-24.
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