This park is a good illustration of the development of natural assets into a specific park idea. The lakes are spring fed, and construction of dams and new settling basins have made the site a paradise for fishermen. Analysis of the Deer Lakes township area and the service the park could provide to mining communities such as Russellton, Culmerville, and Curtisville suggested that fishing was an ideal theme. The state fisheries stock the lakes with pan fish such as bluegill, crappy, perch, sunfish, and trout. Some catfish, and a few bass are also found in the lake.
Some local residents count on the fish as part of their regular diet.
The picnic areas of the park all have the names of fish.