Minneapolis has abundant opportunity for shore fishing close to home. Many of the pier and shore locations below have been chosen for their kid-friendly fishing opportunities.

For questions on fish consumption and fish consumption advisories, contact the Minnesota Department of Health.

Cedar Lake

Canoe Dock: Cedar Lake Point Beach

Fishing Pier: West 22nd Street and Cedar Lake Parkway
*Great area for Musky, Northern Pike, and Bass.

Bde Maka Ska

Fishing Pier: West 36th Street and West Calhoun Parkway
*Great area for crappies, panfish, and Musky.

Lake Harriet

Fishing Pier: East of Canoe Storage Racks

Lake Hiawatha

Fishing Pier: 27th Avenue South and East 47th Street

Lake of the Isles

Lagoon Area: between Lake Calhoun and Lake of the Isles
*Both bridges over the lagoon offer easy access to the water for shore fishing.

Railing Area: between Newton Avenue South and Oliver Place South

Lake Nokomis

Fishing Piers:

Ongoing common carp research is occurring in Lake Nokomis, however, Fishing for common carp remains allowed during the research process, subject to normal fishing regulations.

Loring Lake

Fishing Pier: South side of lake
*Crappies, sunfish, and adult catfish up to 10 pounds.

Mississippi River

Franklin Avenue Bridge: underneath on the East Bank
*Best after a rain storm where the street water discharges into the river. Fish the big boulders under the bridge for small mouth bass.

Minnehaha Falls Regional Park: Minnehaha Creek & Mississippi River conjunction
*Good area for large crappies and stripers. This is a catch-and-release walleye fishery.

Powderhorn Lake

Fishing Pier: behind recreation center
*Crappies, sunfish and adult catfish up to 10 pounds.

Ryan Lake

Fishing Pier: East side of lake

Theodore Wirth Lake

Fishing Pier: Northeast side of lake

Magnet Fishing

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation (MPRB) does not require a permit for magnet fishing in Minneapolis waterways, however these recommendations should be followed:

  • Magnet fishing is not allowed from a boat in Minneapolis lakes following Minnesota Statute 97C.061 DRAGGING WEIGHT OR ANCHOR THROUGH VEGETATION.
  • Magnet fishing should not be done from a bridge, due to safety concerns for other park users.
  • Be aware that dragging weights across the lake bottom and through vegetation can destroy fish habitat – Please conduct magnet fishing activity to minimize this impact.
  • All items retrieved through magnet fishing must be properly managed:
    • No items may be returned to the lake.
    • No items may be left on shoreline, docks or park property.
    • Dispose of all trash by recycling or placing in the garbage.
    • All items found on the bottom of a lake are considered abandoned property and the ownership falls to the state. Report any found items, other than trash, to the Minnesota DNR.
    • Any weapons or potentially dangerous items should be reported to the police by calling 911.
  • Returning items to the lake or leaving them anywhere on park property improperly disposed of will be considered a violation of the MPRB littering ordinance PB2-5 Littering.