🌤 Weather at Mina Lake Recreation Area by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17–68 °F | 54–84 °F | 19–74 °F | 1–28 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Mellette 4 W, 10 mi away, elevation 1,296 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
🏆 Northern Prairie Gem — 275-acre lake in Edmunds County — popular walleye and perch fishing in the “Glacial Lakes” region
Mina Lake Recreation Area centers on a 275-acre lake in Edmunds County — in the heart of South Dakota’s “Glacial Lakes” region. This vast area of northeastern South Dakota contains hundreds of glacial lakes, potholes, and wetlands left behind when the last ice sheet retreated 12,000 years ago. The Glacial Lakes region is the breeding ground for millions of ducks and geese — the “duck factory” of the Central Flyway. Mina Lake offers excellent walleye and yellow perch fishing.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Edmunds County, SD |
| Entry Fee | SD Park Entrance License required |
| Lake | 275 acres! |
| Region | Glacial Lakes — “duck factory”! |
About Mina Lake
Mina Lake Recreation Area in Edmunds County provides lake recreation on a 680-acre dam-created lake in north-central South Dakota. The lake was created by a WPA dam project in the 1930s and has become a popular fishing destination in the James River basin.
Mina Lake Recreation Area in Edmunds County provides recreation on a 700-acre lake on the James River in north-central South Dakota. The lake is stocked with walleye and supports excellent ice fishing in winter. Edmunds County sits in the glaciated Missouri Coteau — where the last Ice Age glaciers deposited rolling hills, wetlands, and pothole lakes across the northern Great Plains.
Things to Do
Fishing for walleye, bass, and perch, camping, boating, swimming, and enjoying a well-established north-central South Dakota recreation area.
Fishing for walleye and perch (excellent ice fishing in winter), camping, boating, swimming, birdwatching, and enjoying recreation in the glaciated northern Great Plains.
Insider Tips
Northeast SD: Mina Lake provides recreation in northeast South Dakota — the Glacial Lakes and Prairies region. Pro tip: This region has more glacial lakes per square mile than almost anywhere in the lower 48 — the Laurentide Ice Sheet left thousands of depressions that filled with water. Farming country: The region’s rich glacial till soil makes it some of the most productive farmland in the world.
Best Time to Visit
Summer: Lake recreation. Fall: Harvest and hunting season. Spring: Migrating birds on glacial lakes. Winter: Ice fishing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are glacial lakes?
Glacial lakes formed when the Laurentide Ice Sheet retreated 10,000-15,000 years ago — blocks of buried ice melted into depressions (kettles), meltwater filled low areas, and moraines dammed valleys. Northeastern South Dakota has thousands of these lakes — ranging from small potholes to large recreational lakes. The glacial till (mixed sediment) left by the ice sheet also created some of the world’s most fertile agricultural soil.
Keep exploring: The closest neighbors are Richmond Lake Recreation Area (a short drive away) and Fisher Grove State Park (within about an hour’s drive).
Camping reservations: Book campsites and cabins for South Dakota state parks online at reservations.gooutdoorssouthdakota.com.
🦆 Visit Mina Lake Recreation Area
Glacial Lakes region — the “duck factory” of the Central Flyway!
Wildlife & Nature
Mina Lake RA — on Mina Lake. The area’s prairie, lake, and wetlands support white-tailed deer, ring-necked pheasants, and waterfowl. Walleye and perch fill the lake.
Nearby Attractions
Aberdeen — 15 miles east — birthplace of L. Frank Baum (author of The Wizard of Oz). Edmunds County — surrounding.
⛺ Camping at Mina Lake Recreation Area: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | 38 sites — 37 electrical campsites ($30/night) and 1 tent site. |
|---|---|
| Cabins & Lodging | 1 camping cabin at $60/night, plus 1 separate modern cabin at $150/night (heating, air conditioning, electricity, full kitchen, ADA bathroom/shower, lake views, private dock; sleeps 10, up to 15 with additional guests at $10/person) — the modern cabin is upgraded lodging, not a basic camping cabin, and is booked through the same camping reservation system with a minimum two-night stay. |
| Pets | Statewide SD GFP leash rule applies (leash required April 1–Sept. 30, immediate control year-round; pets excluded from buildings and designated swim areas). |
| Reservations | Reserve online at CampSD.com or call 1.800.710.2267. Reservations can be made up to one year before arrival for the modern cabin (minimum two-night stay, must be made by midnight two days prior to arrival); standard campsites follow the statewide 90-day window. South Dakota park entrance license required per vehicle; camping units and tents may not be placed outside the designated campground. |
| Special sites | Sandy beach and large picnic area. Dump station on-site. |
| Season notes | Open year-round. Between Oct. 1 and April 30, showers, flush toilets, and other water systems may be closed. |
Camping questions about Mina Lake Recreation Area
Can you camp at Mina Lake Recreation Area?
Yes. Mina Lake Recreation Area has 38 campsites. 37 electrical campsites ($30/night) and 1 tent site.
How do you reserve a campsite at Mina Lake Recreation Area?
Reserve online at CampSD.com or call 1.800.710.2267. Reservations can be made up to one year before arrival for the modern cabin (minimum two-night stay, must be made by midnight two days prior to arrival); standard campsites follow the statewide 90-day window. South Dakota park entrance license required per vehicle; camping units and tents may not be placed outside the designated campground.
Are there cabins at Mina Lake Recreation Area?
1 camping cabin at $60/night, plus 1 separate modern cabin at $150/night (heating, air conditioning, electricity, full kitchen, ADA bathroom/shower, lake views, private dock; sleeps 10, up to 15 with additional guests at $10/person) — the modern cabin is upgraded lodging, not a basic camping cabin, and is booked through the same camping reservation system with a minimum two-night stay.
Are pets allowed at the Mina Lake Recreation Area campground?
Statewide SD GFP leash rule applies (leash required April 1–Sept. 30, immediate control year-round; pets excluded from buildings and designated swim areas).
Source: gfp.sd.gov (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Mina Lake Recreation Area
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are allowed in South Dakota state parks and recreation areas, including campgrounds and most trails, but not in park buildings or on designated swim beaches.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- April 1 - September 30: leash no longer than 10 ft required at all times; October 1 - March 31: leash optional but pets must be under immediate control
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets (except service animals) are not allowed on designated swimming beaches
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Dogs and cats allowed in pet-designated lodges, cabins and suites (roughly 40 parks/recreation areas have designated pet-friendly cabins) with payment of a pet accommodation fee
- Pet fees statewide rule
- No day-use or camping pet fee; a pet accommodation fee is charged for pet-designated lodging
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Pets prohibited in all park buildings and on the Summit Trail at Bear Butte State Park
Are dogs allowed at Mina Lake Recreation Area?
Pets are allowed in South Dakota state parks and recreation areas, including campgrounds and most trails, but not in park buildings or on designated swim beaches. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via gfp.sd.gov. More: South Dakota state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
Plan your gear for Mina Lake Recreation Area
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
