During the 17th century, Native Americans who were driven from the East by the Iroquois Confederacy settled in today's Northern Illinois.

Once under American control, the Scots settled around Argyle, which led to the Scottish settlement in Northern Illinois, along with some westward-bound New Yorkers and New Englanders.

Pierce Lake covers 147 acres (59 ha) with an average depth of 11.19 feet (3.41 m) and a shoreline 4.2 miles (6.8 km) long.

Mammals that thrive in this region and are regularly spotted include deer, fox, muskrat, beavers, opossum, raccoons, squirrels, and woodchucks.

The water is replenished and stocked with largemouth bass, redear sunfish, bluegill, channel catfish, bullhead, muskellunge, northern pike, and walleye.

The summers can reach sweltering temperatures in the 90s Fahrenheit and the winters get as low as subzero levels in bitter wind.

More land based recreation involves hunting, hiking, running, biking, horseback riding, picnicking, and camping.