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.
Weather comparison · not a safety rating
Favorable weather
Weather score out of 100
Weather only. River flow, dam releases, water temperature and local hazards are not included in this number. Check the local guidance below.
Weather observation: Tue, 29 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMT.
Page checked: Tue, 29 Sep 2026 09:16:36 GMT. Readings older than one hour are not used for the current score.
Wind
6 mph
gusting to 14 mph
Air temp
63°F
3% chance of rain
Weather outlook
Wednesday · 100
Tue
57
69°
Wed
100
72°
Best
Thu
79
69°
Fri
85
64°
Sat
87
58°
Sun
95
63°
Mon
95
64°
Compares forecast wind, air temperature and rain. Does not assess river flow, swell, currents, water temperature or launch access. All times are local to this location.
Wind, next 12 hours
mph| Hour | Wind (mph) | Gusts (mph) |
|---|---|---|
| 4a | 6 | 14 |
| 5a | 6 | 15 |
| 6a | 6 | 13 |
| 7a | 6 | 13 |
| 8a | 7 | 15 |
| 9a | 10 | 25 |
| 10a | 12 | 29 |
| 11a | 12 | 26 |
| 12p | 12 | 28 |
| 1p | 12 | 29 |
| 2p | 12 | 26 |
| 3p | 10 | 24 |
Why this score
- Wind — 6 mph — light wind at the forecast location±0
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