 Lake Nokomis is one of 3 sailing lakes (Harriet, Calhoun & Nokomis) in the Minneapolis park system and offers an enjoyable recreational opportunity. There are 2 supervised beaches at Lake Nokomis. City residents can access sailbuoys and launch their canoes and boats from the west-side public boat launch. Sailboat races are a weekend event throughout the warmer months. During the summer months, bicycle, canoe and paddle boat rentals are available through Wheel Fun Rentals at the main beach.
Lake Nokomis is home to the US Pond Hockey championships, drawing teams from all over the nation and a few from other countries as well.
Nokomis has 210 acres of water and 195 acres of land. In 1907, when the MPRB acquired Lake Nokomis, the lake was more of a swamp and pond, no more than 5 feet deep. The lake was dredged and turned into a fine lake. The lake was originally named Lake Amelia in honor of the Captain George Gooding’s daughter, Amelia, in 1819. Its current name was adopted in 1910 and done so to honor Nokomis, grandmother of Hiawatha (legendary Indian hero of Longfellow’s poem,  'Song of Hiawatha'). Download a history of the lake's landscape (195 KB PDF)
The original Lake Nokomis Bathhouse at the main beach was built in 1919, demolished in 1966 and rebuilt in 1967. The community center was built on top of the hill on the north side of the park in 1975.
Lake Nokomis Park's 407 acres includes the lake, the Nokomis Naturescape Gardens, wetlands and holding ponds, the Nokomis community center, two beaches, sailboat mooring, canoe racks, concessions, pathways and ball diamonds. The lake's walking path is 2.78 miles long.
Amenities:
Baseball, softball, soccer and football fields, tennis courts, biking path, boat dock and launch, broomball rink, drinking fountain, fishing docks (2), ice rink, Naturescape Gardens, free parking on Parkway, pay parking lot at Main Beach, picnic tables and shelters, refectory/concessions, restroom facilities, tot lLot/playground, walking path, wells. Ball field reservation info. Aerial photo of ball fields showing field numbers.
 Fishing in Lake Nokomis
Lake Nokomis contains an abundant population of fish. There are fishing docks at the north and east side of the lake, and fishing "piers" on the Cedar Ave. bridge. The lake's main fish populations: walleye, tiger muskies, largemouth bass, pumpkinseeds, bluegills, crappies, yellow perch, black and yellow bullhead and common carp. Visit the Mn. DNR's Lake Nokomis web page for more information. Note: While there is a public boat ramp on the west side of the lake, there are no gasoline-powered motors allowed on any of the Minneapolis lakes. |
