{"product_id":"oakwood-lakes-brookings","title":"Oakwood Lakes in Brookings County, South Dakota","description":"\u003ch2\u003eOakwood Lakes in Brookings County, South Dakota\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis map has 8 layers\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOakwood Lakes is an exceptional chain of eight connecting glacial lakes covering nearly 3,000 acres in eastern South Dakota's Brookings County, featuring an average depth of 6 to 10 feet and over 30 miles of scenic shoreline surrounded by prairie grasslands and oak woodlands. These shallow glacial lakes were scooped in the earth's surface by advancing ice during the last ice age, creating a unique interconnected system that includes Johnson Lake, Tetonkaha Lake, East Oakwood, West Oakwood, and four additional lakes perfect for paddling adventures. The chain supports diverse fish populations including Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Yellow Bullhead, and stocked Saugeye, though the shallow depth sometimes results in winterkill of fish during harsh winters. This productive fishery attracts anglers year-round, while the chain serves as a haven for over 150 bird species including migratory waterfowl such as white pelicans, mergansers, teal, gulls, and great blue herons that stop during spring and fall migrations. The boyhood home of Paul Errington, nationally famous wildlife management teacher and author of several books on muskrat management, sits near the chain where he spent his youth researching muskrat habitat, and the lakes remain ideal for fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, ice fishing, and cross-country skiing with equipment rentals available at Oakwood Lakes State Park\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLocated near the tiny community of Bruce approximately 25 miles northwest of Brookings in eastern South Dakota near the Minnesota border, Oakwood Lakes State Park protects much of this glacial chain and provides exceptional facilities including 133 electric campsites, 6 tent sites, 6 equestrian campsites, 7 camping cabins, nearly 5 miles of hiking and biking trails, a 9-hole disc golf course, swimming beach on Johnson Lake, boat launch, and 5 picnic shelters. The area's rich history dates back thousands of years when nomadic Plains Native American tribes used the fish-rich lakes as a popular summering spot, and Samuel \"Ol'Spot\" Mortimer's 1869 historic cabin still stands within the park, built by the former New York shoemaker who moved to trap the \"fur rich\" Oakwood area during the peak trapping days of 1871. Brookings, home to South Dakota State University and the state's premier college town, offers exceptional attractions just 25 minutes away including the Children's Museum of South Dakota with four floors of interactive exhibits, the South Dakota Art Museum featuring the nation's largest Harvey Dunn collection, McCrory Gardens with 25 acres of formal display gardens, Dakota Nature Park with native prairie and wetlands, and vibrant downtown shopping and dining. Visitors can explore the Brookings County Historical Society Pioneer Museum, catch SDSU Jackrabbit football and basketball games, enjoy annual events like the Brookings Summer Arts Festival, and access over 40 miles of paved bike trails throughout the city, while the surrounding area provides prairie pothole lakes for additional fishing and waterfowl hunting opportunities throughout eastern South Dakota's glacial lakes and prairies region\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis magnificent handcrafted laser-cut wooden topographical map of the Oakwood Lakes chain would create a stunning centerpiece in your South Dakota lake home, cabin, or office, celebrating your connection to this historic chain of eight connecting glacial lakes. The artistic design features a natural wood top layer that beautifully showcases the entire interconnected system spanning nearly 3,000 acres with over 30 miles of intricate shoreline, including Johnson Lake, Tetonkaha Lake, East Oakwood, West Oakwood, and the four additional lakes connected by channels perfect for canoe exploration. The water depths are represented through a gentle gradient flowing from light blue in the shallower areas to slightly deeper blue in the 6-to-10-foot basins, while every connection between lakes, Goodfellow Island where Paul Errington researched muskrats, the state park boundaries, historic Ol'Spot Mortimer cabin location, and the Princess Shining Star Overlook are precisely laser-etched into the multi-layered wood construction. This three-dimensional piece of wall art beautifully captures the glacial heritage and exceptional waterfowl migration character of this beloved South Dakota destination where Native Americans summered for thousands of years and pioneer trappers built their fortunes\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSmall: 8\"x12\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMedium: 12\"x18\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLarge: 16\"x24\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eExtra Large: 20\"x30\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eXX Large: 24\"x36\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGigantic 30\"x45\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCribbage Boards - 10\"x14\" - Your choice of Maple or Cherry wood, 2 or 3 runs, and your choice of peg colors.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Horn Dog Maps","offers":[{"title":"Small - 8\"x12\"","offer_id":45266273894579,"sku":null,"price":175.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium - 12\"x18\"","offer_id":45266273927347,"sku":null,"price":245.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large - 16\"x24\"","offer_id":45266273960115,"sku":null,"price":330.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Extra Large - 20\"x30\"","offer_id":45266273992883,"sku":null,"price":415.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"XX Large - 24\"x36\"","offer_id":45266274025651,"sku":null,"price":600.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Gigantic - 30\"x45\"","offer_id":45266274058419,"sku":null,"price":870.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Cribbage Board","offer_id":45266274091187,"sku":null,"price":200.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0068\/2583\/6599\/files\/OakwoodColorWall.jpg?v=1770558907","url":"https:\/\/horndogmaps.com\/products\/oakwood-lakes-brookings","provider":"Horn Dog Maps","version":"1.0","type":"link"}