Five Island Lake Access provides multiple public boat ramps and docks around the 973-acre lake near Emmetsburg, including facilities at Kearney State Park, Sewell Park, and the Five Island Campground.

The lake accommodates both motorboats and paddling, with camping options available at Kearney State Park (26 sites, $10-15/night) and Five Island Campground (21 full-hookup sites, $25/night), plus amenities like fish cleaning stations, playgrounds, and picnic areas.

Public access is generally free, though the lake can get crowded during summer weekends and windy conditions may create choppy water.