Minneapolis, MN · lake · best for beginners
Bde Maka Ska
Minneapolis's biggest lake and the heart of the Chain of Lakes. Calm urban flatwater with skyline views, rentals on site, and connections to Lake of the Isles through the channels.
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Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions
Wind
9 mph
gusting to 17 mph
Air temp
83°F
24% chance of rain
Best day to paddle this week
Sunday · 98
Today
57
84°
Wed
54
79°
Thu
75
84°
Fri
6
96°
Sat
71
79°
Sun
98
71°
Best
Mon
46
68°
Scored from each day's peak forecast wind, heat, and rain chance — river flow isn't forecastable, so check back before you load the boat.
Wind, next 12 hours
mph| Hour | Wind (mph) | Gusts (mph) |
|---|---|---|
| 5p | 9 | 16 |
| 6p | 10 | 19 |
| 7p | 8 | 20 |
| 8p | 6 | 12 |
| 9p | 6 | 11 |
| 10p | 5 | 12 |
| 11p | 5 | 14 |
| 12a | 8 | 18 |
| 1a | 7 | 16 |
| 2a | 5 | 13 |
| 3a | 5 | 10 |
| 4a | 5 | 9 |
Why this score
- Wind — 9 mph — noticeable but manageable-7
Launch notes
Launch from the northeast beach by the pavilion. Busy on summer weekends — arrive before 10am for easy parking.
Do your own homework
We show you live conditions. For local knowledge — where to put in, what the hazards are, whether it's worth the drive — here's where paddlers actually talk about this water. We don't vet these sources; check the dates and judge for yourself.
- Paddler discussion on Reddit
Trip reports and local warnings, straight from the source
- Search American Whitewater
Rapid classifications and gauge-linked run descriptions
- Satellite view and access roads
Check parking, put-ins, and what the banks actually look like
- Video from this water
The fastest way to see the character of a run before you drive