In southeast South Dakota, not far from the Nebraska border, visitors come to
this Midwest site for its variety of recreational opportunities. The lake,
formed behind the Fort Randall Dam on the Missouri River,
covers
100,000 square acres (40,000 hectares). Dive shops use the lake for open-water
training, and an annual spearfishing tournament is held there as well. Many
divers prefer the east side of the lake where boat ramps are plentiful and the
bottom is more rocky and less muddy than on the west side. The lake is named
after Francis H. Case, a Republican Congressman from South Dakota, whose main
goals were to expand America's road and waterway infrastructure.
Depths to: 140 feet (42 m) at Fort Randall Dam
Visibility: 5-20 feet
(2-6 m)
Aquatic life: Walleyes, channel catfish, bass, crappie, northern pike,
largemouth bass.
Fees: Vehicle fee of $5 per day; $23 for a 2008 state park entrance license good
through May 2009.
On-site amenities: The lake area offers the traditional amenities of cabins,
campgrounds, fishing, boating, hiking, and picnic shelters.
More info: Visit the Pierre, South Dakota Chamber of
Commerce at www.pierre.org,
or visit
www.nwo.usace.army.mil/html/Lake_Proj/fortrandall/welcome.html or
http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/project-print.cfm?Id=G606270.
Open: Year-round.
Getting there: Near Pickstown, South Dakota, on U.S. highways 18 and 281.
covers
100,000 square acres (40,000 hectares). Dive shops use the lake for open-water
training, and an annual spearfishing tournament is held there as well. Many
divers prefer the east side of the lake where boat ramps are plentiful and the
bottom is more rocky and less muddy than on the west side. The lake is named
after Francis H. Case, a Republican Congressman from South Dakota, whose main
goals were to expand America's road and waterway infrastructure. 