Any good boating lakes in Minnesota?

[soak 'n fused]

Hi all- I live in the Twin Cities area and have been boating for quite awhile. I used to own a boat slip on the St. Croix river that I used to cruise in my 24 ft. Searay. I also took her to Lake Minnetonka but found the boating there is no fun on weekends because of too many boats, etc. I also take my 16 ft. 90HP Nissan to Minnetonka but is a bit rough with all the other boaters. I am looking for some great lakes to boat in Minnesota and would like to hear from anyone who can recommend a great boating lake. I know there are a lot of great lakes in this state but am looking for any gems that anyone has to offer. Camping on the lake is a preference.

 

[burroak]

Re: Any good boating lakes in Minnesota?

Out of ten thousand, I'm sure you can find one.

 

[soak 'n fused]

Re: Any good boating lakes in Minnesota?

thanks burroak- there is actually over 15,000 lakes in Minnesota and I have been to quite a few but actually I was looking for any favorite lakes anybody would care to tell about.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Any good boating lakes in Minnesota?

The only problem with about 10,000 of those 15,000 lakes is that they aren't big enough to get any serious boating on. Fishing -- that's a different story. Try the Cass Lake chain, Lake Andrusia, Wolf Lake, Big Wolf Lake. You can run the Mississippi through the entire 7 or 8 lake chain and do walleye and musky fishing 'til you puke.

 

[soak 'n fused]

Re: Any good boating lakes in Minnesota?

thanks silvertip- Boy you sure hit it right on my boyhood turf.. am originally from Bemidji and have been on a couple of great lakes up there but was looking for a great recreational lake with a good state park or campground where I can park the boat right in front of my campsite. Maybe have a good restaurant on it too. I heard Green Lake in Spicer is a great rec lake. Any other good ones out there?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Any good boating lakes in Minnesota?

Try the St. Croix River. You can run about 52 miles of water from Stillwater to Prescott, then turn right on the Mississippi to the park below the dam, turn around and head down the Miss. to Red Wing. Lots of sand bars and back bays to explore and swim from. If you want to lock through the dams you can go to the Gulf of Mexico. Kinnickinic state park is on the Wisconsin side of the St Croix between Prescott and Hudson. There is a nice restaurant about 6 miles downstream at Prescott. Go to Red Wing and there are eat joints there as well.

 

[soak 'n fused]

Re: Any good boating lakes in Minnesota?

thanks silver- I have been to that restaurant in Prescott but was in my 24 ft. Searay. I have seen all those small boats try to boat on the St. Croix on a busy weekend and it doesnt look fun. The big boats just about dump a lot of them. If I took my 16 ft. Nissan to the St. Croix I would go north past Stillwater and go as far as I could. My Searay and other large boats have to turn around about 2 miles past the Stillwater lift bridge. Thanks for the post!

 

[Skiuseme]

Re: Any good boating lakes in Minnesota?

Soak,
You have endless oppertunities where you are at. This past weekend my wife and I trailered our searay to Wabasha and boated through lake Pepin and up to Redwing. What a beautiful area you have up there. You can go south of there through Alma and all the to La Crosse in a day no problem. Yes you have to deal with the 30' plus Carvers and Silvertons but, thats only a minor issue. Get your self a Quimby's book and it will let you know all that you want.

Adam