Brochure

Email:
info@pickerellakeconservancy.org

Facebook:
PickerelLakeConservancy

Bait & Gas:
Pickerel Lake Lodge (see map)
Grenville Sports Mart, Grenville
Pike’s Sinclair, Hwy. 12, Webster
Sportsmans Cove, 30 W. Hwy. 12, Webster (No gas)
Pickerel Lake Corner Store, Co. Rd. 6/Hwy. 1

Pickerel Lake Walking Paths:
Enjoy a hike from the West State Park, around the South End, to the East State Park. Route information is available at Pickerel’s Paths

Trails are available at the East and West Pickerel Lake State Parks. Information is available at Pickerel Lake Trail Maps.

The Pickerel Lake Conservancy Nature Trail (SW corner off Peabody Ave.) meanders through upland meadow, woodland and wetland ecosystems with wildlife and numerous species of native plants. It’s an enjoyable and educational hike suitable for all ages!

Pickerel Lake Recreation Area Information

Boating Safety and Courtesy

Handbook of South Dakota Boating Laws and Responsibilities

Spending time boating on the water is one of the most enjoyable aspects of spending time on the lake. We share the lake with other boaters and swimmers. If we follow safe and respectful boating practices, the lake can be enjoyed by everyone and the lake will not be put at risk. Good boating practices also protect lake water quality by reducing the impact from large boat wakes crashing into the shoreline and causing erosion. Pickerel Lake Conservancy (PLC) supports the following boat safety guidelines:

Operate your boat in a safe and careful manner. South Dakota law prohibits careless and reckless boat operation. Some common examples of these seen in South Dakota include allowing occupants in a boat to ride in a manner or locations (bow/transom) that jeopardize their safety when the boat is underway; operating at unreasonable speeds near beaches, fishing boats, docks; operating in such a way that creates an undue hazard to other boats or swimmers.

Maintain a respectful operating distance from other boats, people and docks. Do not follow directly behind skiers, tubers, or others actively engaged in a water activity. Avoid cutting in front of other boats and docks.

Personal Watercraft (PWC)/Jet ski. It is illegal to operate a personal watercraft (PWC) at greater than “slow, no wake speed” within 150 feet of: a dock; a swimmer; a swimming raft; a non-motorized boat.

When cruising, it is recommended that you travel in a counter-clockwise manner, especially in bays like the South End. This is a long-established tradition that fosters boating safety and reduced congestion.

Be mindful of your music sound levels. Music carries across the water.

Be mindful of the size of your wake. Recent studies have documented the impact of large boat waves on shoreline erosion. Some have suggested that boats with larger waves (wake boats) need to be 600 feet further away from the shoreline to have the same impact as conventional watercrafts. All boat operators at Pickerel Lake need to be mindful of the size of their wakes relative to both shoreline, dock, and impact on other watercraft. We share the goal of preserving this beautiful lake!

Aquatic Invasive Species

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) regulations have been created and adopted to prevent the spread of species. Scan the QR code below to find out what you can do to make sure you are following all the regulations and doing your part to combat invasive species in South Dakota.

General Regulations

• You may not possess, transport, sell, purchase, or propagate an aquatic invasive species. For invasive fish and crayfish, only dead specimens may be transported or possessed.
• You must pull your plugs immediately after loading your boat and leave the plugs out until you are putting the boat back on the water.
• Never transport lake or river water away from the access area, including in bait buckets, live wells, coolers, or other containers.
• Dispose of unwanted bait in a dumpster, fish grinder, or other appropriate disposal location.
• Immediately after loading your boat, inspect both your boat and trailer for any mud, plants, animals, or other debris and remove anything you find.
• Lower your lower unit to remove any residual water left in the motor before leaving the ramp.

CLEAN. DRAIN. DRY EVERY TIME!

Warning – Pickerel Lake has zebra mussels. It is recommended to wear water shoes to avoid cutting bare feet.