Lake Kampeska is fed by numerous, large springs. The Glacial Lakes Region and the City of Watertown are fortunate to have this fine recreational and fishing lake so accessible. 1,061 Day County was the home of the Sisseton Sioux Indians for many years, and the site of a trading post by Major Joseph Brown in the 1830's and of the explorations of Fremont and Nicollet in 1838. The first permanent settler was a French fur trader, Francoise Rondell, in 1868 on Rush Lake. Originally named Greeley County, it was later named Day County after Merritt H. Day, a pioneer settler and Democratic legislator.
Day County has more natural lakes than any other county in the state.
Blue Dog Lake has a fish hatchery. Waubay Lake is the site of a 1,500 acre Federal Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. 632 Deuel County's first inhabitants were the Plains Woodland Indians, evidenced in many Indian mounds. Legend has it that Little Crow was captured in the area by the cavalry after the New Ulm Massacre. A fur trading post was established in the 1830's on what is now called School Lake.