Summary
There are several good reasons to visit the area including fishing, boating, camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The reservoir is stocked with a variety of fish including walleye, catfish, and bass, making it a popular spot for fishing. There are also several points of interest to see in the area including a beach, picnic areas, and a marina with boat rentals.
Interesting facts about the area include that the reservoir was created in 1950 by damming the Medicine Creek. The reservoir covers over 1,800 acres and has over 10 miles of shoreline. It is also home to several species of waterfowl and other wildlife such as deer and coyotes.
The best time of year to visit Medicine Creek Reservoir State Recreation Area is during the summer months when temperatures are warm enough for swimming and water activities. However, the area is also popular for hunting and ice fishing during the winter months. Visitors should also be aware that the area is prone to thunderstorms and tornadoes during the spring and summer months.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References