Solitary boater originally uploaded by Jayesh Naithani
This photo was taken on Crystal Lake in Burnsville and makes it seem like a much more beautiful lake than I remember from shore. I have never personally boated on any lake in Minnesota, let alone the South Metro but have been fortunate enough to hitch a ride with Sank on his boat in Wisconsin yet I wonder where we should head out on to the water around town should the opportunity arise.
We’ve always talked about purchasing a canoe to tool around local lakes with The Rooster but without any clear guidance on which would be best we’d be lost at sea (ha). What better way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon but eating a picnic lunch and catching dinner, right?
So what lakes in the South Metro do your recommend either for fishing or just boating around in a canoe? Which ones would you recommend for those people with boats that can handle an actual motor?
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August 24th, 2010 at 10:56 am
Beautiful. The best weekend I’ve had this summer was the weekend that my husband and I spent in the BWCA.
Probably further south than you care to travel, there is a small colony of lakes that I live amongst, in the Faribault area. Kelley Dudley lake is a beautiful, small, clean lake, not far off the beaten path, that would be ideal for canoeing. It’s also a good lake to swim in. There are a lot of other lakes nearby, but I’d suggest a motorboat on them. Paul and I have a 6 hp little fishing boat that we tool around in, and you’re absolutely right, what better way to spend a lazy Sunday?
August 24th, 2010 at 11:05 am
For a fishing recommendation, I would have to ask what type of fish you are looking for.
For a canoe, I would look at some of the carry in lakes as they see a lot less traffic. Lac Lavon is one but there are several around.
Marion is a little busy but has good fishing and close parking at the ramp for canoes. Plenty of quiet water north of the ramp. You can even go on for a while on the other side of I35 probably all by yourself.
You mention a picnic lunch. Crystal has an island out from the swim beach that work.
Others: Orchard, Spring, Cedar (Scott Co), O’Dowd, Fish. I fish them all regularly. I avoid Prior as much as possible.
Also, the Faribault area has a bunch of lakes. A little bit further drive. Much quieter. Mostly green water on the Canon river system.
August 24th, 2010 at 11:20 am
For canoeing a nice paddle is from Lake of the Isles in MPLS through the canal to Ceder lake. It’s a part of the city that you dont’ get to see much unless you have a boat.
I don’t fish much in the area anymore, but there are some good ones. Again, ironcally, the city lakes in Minneapolis and Phalen in St. Paul are pretty good fishing lakes. The really only get pressure from the shore so if you can get out on the water there’s lots of different fish to catch.
Fish Lake, West of Prior Lake is a decent lake for panfish and bass. You’ll need a lake map to find the structure.
McMahon, south of Prior is a decent little lake that’s accessable by canoe. Lots of options around here.
August 24th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
I bought a canoe last year so have only recently tried any lakes down here. I’ve been on Spring (immediately south of Prior Lake), Alimagnet (pretty but worthless for fishing), and Murphy (again, pretty but worthless for fishing, as expected).
I’ll be trying some of the lakes that have been suggested here. I’ve only been out once this year thanks to umpiring, vacation, and infant twins, but hope to get out at least once or twice in the next month.
August 24th, 2010 at 10:53 pm
the best lake for a canoe……wouldn’t that be a river? :)~
August 25th, 2010 at 8:09 am
I agree with Mr. Marcos. Having grown up in Stillwater and on the St. Croix, I can say that north of Stillwater is very pretty. Sure you can rent a canoe from taylors falls and float down to Osceola or William O’Brien park. Typically even on a nice day, you have space and aren’t crowded by others beside the start/end points getting in and out of the Canoes. There are many places to pull up to shore and make food while the rivier is at normal pool, and there are also campsites you can go to as well for a weekend.
While it’s a bit out of your way, it sure is fun, and especially if you can make a fall trip before it’s too chilly and see the colors in the trees, it’s a real treat!
Otherwise, I’ll agree with Sank on the city canoeing options!
August 25th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
I fished alot of the South Metro lakes this summer. I won’t point out any specific spots or specific lakes but these lakes are all productive for fishing: Orchard, marion, Crystal, Spring, Fish , ODowd. It also depends on what you are fishing for, Spring has a lot of white crappies… easy to catch on worms… good for kids. We only catch and release , but there are also lots of panfish in them, but size and desirability of eating is questionable. Marion is pretty clean. Orchard supposedly has a good muskie population, it is also clean.
if you are interested in fishing or canoeing you must avoid Prior Lake, it is simply crazy with boaters (beer and Capn Morgan in tow) so i recommend it only in cold weather or for ice fishing.
For canoeing i recommend the lakes in Eagan which are in the Dakota County parks… i believe they are all non motorized, and several are small but clean, i am told fishing is good as well. No problems with jetskis or large mph boaters there.
I suppose you could canoe the Vermillion River from thru Farmington and on to Hastings. I have never been on it so i dont know if it is really deep enough consistently, it supposedly holds some large trout, but when the brush comes up after May it is hard to access from the banks, and it is almost all private land … otherwise for rivers you need to go to the Cannon River … i have canoed from Taylors Falls to Osceola … its a good one with kids. But more serious canoeing on the St Croix is wise above even Hiway 70 in my opinion or at least from there down to Wild River state park.. but the st croix is a big river in any way you look at it.
August 27th, 2010 at 9:24 pm
“This photo was taken on Crystal Lake in Burnsville and makes it seem like a much more beautiful lake than I remember from shore.” – Awesome comment. :)
Thank you!