Surrounded by grassland hills, Jewell State Lake was constructed primarily as a fishing area. Located between Glen Elder and Lovewell Reservoirs it provides a sheltered retreat not found on the bigger waters. The area and surrounding grassland vegetation is native prairie grasses, woodland trees and shrubs.
The fishery currently has largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, redear sunfish, crappie, saugeye, and walleye. Five fishing piers are available around the lake to increase fishing access.
Public hunting is allowed, but due to the small land area, opportunities are limited. Pheasant, quail, turkey, dove, fox squirrel, rabbit, mule and whitetail deer, waterfowl, furbearers and many song birds and non-game wildlife inhabit or pass through and use the area. Food plots encourage wildlife to use the area and supplement the food provided by the native plants and surrounding agricultural lands.