Lake Recreation

• Seven fishing jetties - fish are stocked on a biannual basis - channel catfish and tiger muskellunge
• There are also trophy size largemouth bass, bluegill, perch, walleye, sunfish, grass carp and crappie
• Fishing tournaments are common and with an annual ice-fishing tournament the second weekend in February
• Boating is allowed on the lake 24 hours a day at a no wake speed Five boat ramps with docks
• Windsurfing is popular during both summer, fall and in winter on the ice
• The concession run beach offers swimming, snacks, restrooms with boat rental and bait
• Excellent water clarity allows for scuba diving from ice out through the summer months. A local surfing and diving business on a weekly basis throughout the summer offers both windsurfing and scuba diving lessons.

Bird Watching

• Classified as an Important Bird Area in Iowa
• Over 200 bird species are recorded here
• Including the threatened species Henslow’s Sparrow, is known to nest on the south side of the lake
• With its mature timber areas, native prairie, open grassland and aquatic habitats, Pleasant Creek’s very diverse nature allows for the observation of wildlife, plants and trees in their natural environment during all seasons

Hunting and Trapping

• Open to public hunting. All of Iowa’s hunting and trapping seasons are popular here among resident and non-resident hunters alike
• The entire recreation area is open to public hunting with Iowa’s hunting laws in application

Picnicking

• Numerous picnic areas, all with upright fire grills for cooking and picnic tables, on the north and south sides of the lake
• Two open picnic shelters and one small lodge are available for day use events from mid April through mid October of each year

Camping

• 43 Electric and 26 non-electric campsites
• Camping is available year round, but the restrooms, hot showers and a dump station are available from mid April through mid October
• Four camping cabins are also located in the campgrounds for use from mid April through mid October

Trails

• 8-10 miles of non-surfaced multi use trail – mown 8’ wide
• Open to hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, cross-country skiers & snowmobiles
• A one-mile Pleasant Ridge Interpretive trail is on the north side of the lake

Dog Trialing

• Historically dog trialing has occurred in portions of the southern area
• 14 two-day Scheduled Dog Trial Events occur annually in two seasons between the mid March and mid May. Second season is early September through late October