Enjoy unparalleled year round outdoor recreation on the area lakes and the rolling hills and prairies of the Great Plains.

Fishing pursuits in the area are as seamless as the seasons. As the ice begins to break away from area streams, bow-fishing enthusiasts usher in the early season. Shortly after, the area lakes come alive with the exciting crappie bites. In mid-May nearly everything pauses, sometimes even Mother’s Day!, for the near-national holiday, the Minnesota walleye opener. The Lakes Area has become legendary for “the catch” and “size” of the state fish. Summer adds the allure of panfish, especially popular on smaller lakes. The fall season brings a restored game fish bite. The hardiest of the hardy are often seen on West Battle Lake into November chasing the lunker muskies, which regularly exceed 55" in length. As the lakes freeze, the legendary ice huts appear, marking a change of pace from the tourist season and a chance to catch up with family and friends over a card game and maybe catch a meal or two.

Hunting is also an important piece of the recreational fabric. Given the abundance of lakes, wetlands, and Wildlife Management Areas, waterfowl hunting is a favorite pasttime for many. However, in Minnesota, there’s nothing like pursuing the whitetail deer, and the Lakes Area is a favorite venue for archery, rifle, and muzzleloader enthusiasts. Over the past decade, the wild turkey population has increased rapidly in the area, spawning another very popular hunting pastime. Viking Valley Hunt Club, just south of Battle Lake, features trap, sporting clays, and guided bird hunts. For archers, the Lakes Area is home to the Minnesota Masters 3D archery tournament, located three miles northeast of Battle Lake.