Inver Grove Heights Lakes

Lakes Close to Inver Grove Heights

It’s summertime so it’s time to plan your next family vacation. There aren’t many better options than a lake near Inver Grove Heights. A stay at a lake can be wonderful for those who love wildlife too, because they offer opportunities to take in the local scenery and all that nature has to offer.

Whether you’re seeking to go kayaking, partake in some wakeboarding, go for a swim, or nap in the sand, the lakes near Inver Grove Heights provide you with lots of beautiful locations for aquatic adventures. The time is now! Load up your vehicle with your fishing gear and snacks then set out this weekend and discover your own favorite spot on a lake!

Lakes Close to Inver Grove Heights

Things to Do at the Lake

A quick excursion to a lake, or a more lengthy getaway provides a nearly endless amount of stuff for families, couples, or even those looking for some quiet time.

Any stay on or in the water gives you a full range of activities from thrilling to chilling.

Fishing. For those that love to fish, finding a good fishing hole shouldn’t be too hard to help you reel in a day of fun whether you’re drifting behind a trolling motor or standing on a dock with a beer in one hand and a rod in the other.

Picnic time. Inver Grove Heights’s lakes provide all sorts of excellent picnic areas partake in the enjoyment of your favorite foods, or something as simple as crackers and cheese and a cold beverage by the water. For a romantic evening, good food and a view should put a smile on their face.

Start paddling. If you want a little physical activity, strap your favorite kayak or paddleboard to the top of your vehicle and find yourself a lake with a boat launch and start paddling around to enjoy the scenery in all it’s glory.

Checklist for a Day at the Lake

Every day at the lake will have its own requirements depending on the lake you’re heading to, when you go, or if there are any activities planned. While every trip is its own animal, we took the time to make a list for some ideas for your watery excursion so you have everything you need!

General items

When the plan is to be outdoors for most of the weekend, the list below is a good place to start when it comes to the necessities that you’ll be happy to have on hand.

  • Bathing suits
  • Something to eat
  • Flip flops or water shoes
  • Sunglasses
  • Plates, cups and utensils
  • Cooler, ice, beverages (always remember water!)
  • Sunscreen
  • Dry shirt
  • Bug spray
  • USB charger

More lake stuff

Depending on your planned activities at the lake and your guests, the list of gear might also prove useful and adding to your checklist prior to leaving.

  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
  • Wine key
  • Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
  • Diapers (if a baby’s on board)
  • Your favorite magazine or book
  • Tackle box and lures
  • Legal flotation devices
  • Bait
  • Hand sanitizers or moist towelettes
  • Pool noodles, rafts, floats

Staying Safe on a Lake

While spending a weekend to your favorite body of water can be ample amounts of fun, you always have to keep safety in mind. A day on the lake means safety first so these are some extremely important tips for keeping everyone safe.

  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Make sure children have swimmies or other approved flotation devices
  • Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft
  • Regularly apply sunblock throughout the day – following the product’s instructions
  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
  • Don’t mix alcohol with swimming
  • Always swim with a buddy

More Ideas for Lake Fun

When you make a trip to the beautiful lakes around Inver Grove Heights, there are a few things that can make your itinerary much more successful. Case in point, every individual lake is going to have their own environment which makes it important to consider what you need to make an enjoyable adventure as you plan yours.

  1. Maximize unique assets in the area. When you have time for a lengthier trip, find local state parks and recreation areas that offer the ability to camp near or even on the water for a reasonable price.
  2. Find a marina. It’s common that lakes will have nearby marinas where you can rent a boat. Boats are expensive to own, but a rental will still allow you to enjoy a relaxing day of fishing or taking the kids out for some wakeboarding or tubing. Using a search engine can typically help you locate a marina that has what you need.
  3. Do homework on the beaches. Depending on the time of year, occasionally beaches might be very busy. If you want some more space to spread out, do some digging on a variety of lakes and beaches to learn about how busy they are to find one with a slower pace. If you want to be where the party’s at, search out the busiest, most popular sandy party scene!