• A beautifully detailed, laser-cut wooden topographic map of Pickerel Lake in Day County, South Dakota, featuring layered depth contours illustrating the impressive 43-foot maximum depth making it one of the state's deepest natural lakes, the 955-acre spring-fed basin with clear glacial waters, the locations of East and West Campgrounds with their boat launches and beaches, surrounding Ponderosa pine forests, and the distinctive glacial landscape of northeastern South Dakota's Prairie Pothole Region.
  • 3D Burt Lake and Mullett Lake with a maple frame.
  • 3D Lake Minnetonka map in a sleek black frame, displayed in a modern setting with contemporary decor elements.
  • 3D Lake of the Woods Map(Minnesota and Ontario) in a cherry frame in an outdoor natural light setting.
  • oak Cribbage board with Lake Minnetonka 3d carved into it and then filled in with blue epoxy.
  • Closeup of the 3D lake map frame color options, featuring Black, Cherry, Walnut, and Maple finishes.
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Pickerel (Day)

Pickerel (Day)

$175.00
$175.00
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Pickerel Lake in Day County, South Dakota

This lake has 8 Layers or 15 Layers for HD Version

Pickerel Lake is a 955-acre natural spring-fed lake in Day County, northeastern South Dakota, located 10 miles north of Waubay off U.S. Highway 12 in the heart of the Glacial Lakes Region. One of the deepest natural lakes in the state, Pickerel Lake reaches depths of 43 feet with crystal-clear, cool waters that distinguish it from many shallow prairie lakes in the region. The lake formed thousands of years ago through glacial activity as part of the Prairie Pothole Region, where depressions carved by retreating ice sheets filled with glacial meltwater to create the network of lakes that defines northeastern South Dakota's landscape today. The name "Pickerel Lake" originates from the American Indian name "Lake Tamahe," meaning "where you spear long fish," reflecting the abundance of large fish that attracted both Dakota Sioux tribes and early European settlers to the area for hunting and fishing. Until the early 1900s, excursion boats operated on the lake, showcasing its recreational appeal during the pioneer era, while a fish hatchery constructed in 1929 operated for 50 years before being replaced by a new facility at Blue Dog Lake in 1979. Today, Pickerel Lake Recreation Area, owned and managed by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, encompasses over 600 acres surrounding the pristine lake, preserving natural habitat along the highly developed shoreline while providing exceptional public access for outdoor recreation year-round.

Pickerel Lake has earned recognition as an outstanding multi-species fishery actively managed and regularly stocked by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, supporting excellent populations of Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, White Bass, White Crappie, Rock Bass, and Yellow Bullhead that attract anglers throughout the year for both open water and ice fishing opportunities. The lake's cool spring-fed waters and significant depth create ideal habitat for trophy-sized fish, with fishing success peaking during spring and fall seasons when cooler temperatures increase fish activity, though year-round access makes winter ice fishing particularly popular among regional anglers. Pickerel Lake Recreation Area features two separate camping complexes, the East Campground with 29 electrical sites and the West Campground with 38 electrical sites accommodating RVs from 40 to 100 feet in length, plus seven rustic camping cabins and one modern cabin, all equipped with fire rings, picnic tables, lantern posts, playgrounds, restrooms with hot showers, and direct access to sandy swimming beaches perfect for families. Each campground offers its own beach area, boat launch ramps providing easy water access for powerboats, sailboats, kayaks, and canoes (which can be rented at the park office), while sites 27 through 36 in the West Campground sit directly on the shoreline for premium lakefront camping experiences. Beyond water activities, visitors enjoy two scenic hiking trails including the three-quarter-mile Glacial Mounds Trail winding through native prairies, rocky terrain, and offering spectacular bluff views, and the one-mile Ponderosa Trail meandering through majestic Ponderosa pine forests, both showcasing the diverse ecosystems of the Coteau des Prairies region. The nearby town of Waubay provides dining, lodging, and supplies, while the broader Glacial Lakes Region offers additional attractions including Waubay National Wildlife Refuge with world-class birdwatching, Blue Dog State Fish Hatchery tours, numerous nearby fishing lakes including Waubay Lake and Enemy Swim Lake, scenic U.S. Highway 12 drives through rolling prairies and glacial lakes, and seasonal festivals celebrating the area's rich agricultural heritage and outdoor traditions.

Dimensions:

Small: 8"x12"

Medium: 12"x18"

Large: 16"x24"

Extra Large: 20"x30"

XX Large: 24"x36"

Gigantic 30"x45"

HD Extra Large: 20"x30" - 15 Layers

HD XX Large: 24"x36" - 15 Layers

HD Gigantic 30"x45" - 15 Layers

The difference between standard and HD maps is the number of layers. Standard maps have 1 land layer and 7 water layers. " The HD lake maps have 1 land layer and 14 water layers. So twice the detail. The HD Maps are limited to Extra Large, " XX Large, and Gigantic sizes only. On the smaller sizes the depth change of the wood is too extreme and you end up losing detail."

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About our Maps

Every map is designed and built in Minnesota. Nothing is outsourced and nothing is imported.

  • Designed in-house. All art files are created by me, not purchased or reused
  • True layered 3D construction. Not engraved or printed
  • More layers, more detail. Most competitors use 3 to 7 layers. These use 8 or 15 layers
  • Original blue depth gradient. Light to dark blue shows water depth clearly
  • Handmade hardwood frames. Built from locally sourced rough sawn lumber, not pre-made frames

These are built to be the most accurate and most detailed 3D lake maps available.

Horn Dog Maps vs Others

True layered 3D construction
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: Sometimes

Designed in-house (no purchased files)
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: Sometimes
Etsy Sellers: No

Made in Minnesota
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No

Number of layers
Horn Dog Maps: 8 or 15
Other Companies: 3 to 7
Etsy Sellers: 3 to 7

Blue depth gradient water
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No

Handmade hardwood frame included
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No

Uses multiple depth data sources
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: Sometimes
Etsy Sellers: No

Custom lakes without delays
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No

Connection to the lakes
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these actually 3D or just engraved?

These are true 3D layered maps.

  • Made from 1/8 inch Baltic birch
  • Standard maps have 8 layers. 1 land layer and 7 water layers
  • HD maps have 15 layers. 1 land layer and 14 water layers

Each water layer uses a light to dark blue gradient so depth changes are easy to see.

Where are these made?

Everything is made in my shop in Minnesota.

  • Design
  • Cutting
  • Painting
  • Assembly
  • Frame building

The frames start as locally sourced rough sawn hardwood and are built from scratch.

Do you use real depth data?

Yes, as an angler and map nerd, accuracy matters to me. I use multiple data sources, up to six, to find the most accurate lake contours available.

I would not hang an inaccurate map in my house and I will not send one to yours.

Why buy from Horn Dog Maps instead of Etsy or marketplace sellers?

Most marketplace sellers:

  • Buy pre-made cut files, often from overseas
  • Have no connection to the lakes
  • Cannot verify accuracy
  • Have long delays if a file is not available

This leads to lower accuracy and longer lead times, often 6 to 8 weeks.

Because I design everything myself:

  • I can create a new lake mockup in about 30 minutes
  • You get a more accurate map, faster

What is your lead time?

Most orders ship in 1.5 to 2 weeks depending on the time of year.

Tell me about the Cribbage Boards

These are different from the layered maps and are not something you will find elsewhere.

  • Made from a solid piece of Maple or Cherry
  • The lake is engraved as if drained
  • Then filled with blue tinted epoxy that is still transparent

You can see:

  • Channels
  • Humps
  • Points
  • Structure

Additional features:

  • 2 or 3 track options
  • Choice of peg colors
  • Hidden peg storage with a magnetic dovetail slider
  • Rubber feet so it does not slide on the table

It is a functional game board and a detailed lake model in one.

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