DNR lake ID 27013300
Minnetonka
Lake Minnetonka is a named DNR basin spanning Hennepin and Carver counties. It keeps one canonical identity, with multiple mapped public accesses.
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Metro Minnesota · city lakes to western bays
Hennepin County
In Hennepin County, water discovery changes block by block and bay by bay: Minneapolis park lakes and the Mississippi River in the east, Medicine Lake near the county’s center, Lake Minnetonka’s connected western bays, and Lake Independence beside Baker Park Reserve. Choose a corridor first, then confirm the named water, access manager and current conditions.
Accessible orientation
Read the county from east to west
Minneapolis anchors the east with the Chain of Lakes and Mississippi River. St. Louis Park, Golden Valley and Plymouth lead toward Medicine Lake. Wayzata, Excelsior, Mound, Orono and Minnetrista orient Lake Minnetonka’s many bays, while Maple Plain and Independence lead to Baker Park Reserve and Lake Independence.
- East: use Minneapolis park maps for lake paths, beaches, launches and shore access.
- Center: verify Medicine Lake access and the responsible city or park agency.
- West: identify the exact Lake Minnetonka bay or Lake Independence facility before departure.
Canonical named-lake discovery
Four reviewed lake identities
This versioned starter catalog contains four verified named DNR basins, not a countywide count. Unnamed records are excluded. Cross-county Lake Minnetonka keeps one canonical public identity.
DNR lake ID 27003100
Bde Maka Ska
Bde Maka Ska is the official lake name in Minneapolis. DNR and Park Board sources verify shore fishing, a fishing pier, beaches and paths.
Continue to the lake directoryDNR lake ID 27010400
Medicine
Medicine Lake is a named DNR basin in Plymouth and the city of Medicine Lake, with public access shown on the metro access map.
Continue to the lake directoryDNR lake ID 27017600
Independence
Lake Independence is a named DNR basin beside Baker Park Reserve, where the park district manages boating, camping and trails.
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Verified places and pathways
Match each water to its public manager
Parking, launches, rentals, reservations, closures, water quality and trail conditions change. Use these verified anchors, then confirm details with the managing agency.
Minneapolis Chain of Lakes
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board manages Bde Maka Ska Park within the Chain of Lakes Regional Park, with paths, beaches, docks and a fishing pier. Check the park page for current facilities and projects.
Check the official park pageBaker Park Reserve and campground
Three Rivers Park District places Baker Park Reserve and its reservable campground on Lake Independence, with boating, beach, hiking, biking and winter recreation. Confirm reservations and current notices.
Check Baker Park ReserveLake Independence Regional Trail
Three Rivers Park District describes this trail as a connection among Crow-Hassan Park Reserve, Baker Park Reserve and the Luce Line State Trail. Check closures and route maps before riding.
Check the official trail page
Fishing and clean-water practice
Identify the basin before reading the rules
Fishing rules, aquatic-invasive-species status and access conditions are water-specific and can change. Use the DNR lake ID, consult current regulations, and clean, drain and dispose before moving boats or equipment.
Dakota names and living lake communities
Bde Maka Ska is the lake’s official name, restored through county and state action in 2018; the Park Board translates it as “White Earth Lake” in Dakota. For programs and events, verify the current listing from the responsible park or community source.
Four-season planning
Let conditions and the access manager choose the day
- Spring: expect cold water and check launch, trail and fishing-season notices.
- Summer: confirm parking, beach water-quality notices, boat traffic and campground reservations.
- Fall: check daylight, trail work and hunting notices at western park reserves.
- Winter: use official ski and trail reports; weather and photographs never prove safe lake ice.
