---
type: lake
name: "Bde Maka Ska Lake"
county: "Hennepin"
nearest_town: "Minneapolis"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 424
max_depth_ft: 82
latitude: 44.94212
longitude: -93.31204
lake_score: 73
dnr_lake_id: "27003100"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county/bde-maka-ska-lake
---

# Bde Maka Ska Lake

Lake in Hennepin County, Minnesota, near Minneapolis

- **Surface Area**: 424 acres
- **Max Depth**: 82 ft
- **Average Depth**: 30 ft
- **Shoreline**: 3.1 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 11.7 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 73/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Bde Maka Ska Lake is a 424-acre lake near Minneapolis in Hennepin County, Minnesota. It reaches 82 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 30 feet, and has roughly 3.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 11.7 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. Special fishing regulations apply to muskellunge and tiger muskellunge, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2024.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the city. OpenStreetMap shows Bde Maka Ska Thomas Beach and Bde Maka Ska North Beach on or beside the lake. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 9, based on 97 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: city
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 14
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2024
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Muskellunge and Tiger Muskellunge**: Minimum size limit 40". Possession limit one.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Swimming

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Carry-In Access, Swim Beach, Marina

### Beaches

- Bde Maka Ska Thomas Beach
- Bde Maka Ska North Beach
- 32nd Beach

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 9
- **Years of record**: 97
- **Earliest**: 2017-03-07
- **Latest**: 2018-05-01

## Nearby Lakes

- [Lake of the Isles](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county/lake-of-the-isles) - 1.1 miles, 114 acres
- [Cedar Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county/cedar-lake) - 1.3 miles, 164 acres
- [Lake Harriet](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county/lake-harriet) - 1.4 miles, 341 acres
- [U.S. Lock & Dam #1 Pool](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county/u-s-lock-and-dam-1-pool) - 3.9 miles, 471 acres
- [Lake Nokomis](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county/lake-nokomis) - 4.1 miles, 201 acres
- [St. Anthony Falls Pool](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county/st-anthony-falls-pool) - 4.9 miles, 317 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=44.94212,-93.31204)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=27003100)
- [All lakes in Hennepin County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county/bde-maka-ska-lake)*