Mankato Lakes

Lakes Around Mankato

It’s summertime and that means it’s time to plan your next family vacation. If you’re looking for a fun destination, consider visiting a lake near Mankato. As it turns out, when you make a trip to Mankato there are quite a few options for spending time on the lake.

Whether you’re seeking to go kayaking, buzz around doing water skiing, go swimming, or nap in the sand, the lakes near Mankato offer you numerous opportunities for aquatic activities. Browse through the data directly beneath this paragraph to see the options from swimming lakes to larger lakes for you and the family to visit.

Nearby Lakes for Mankato

Things to Do at the Lake

A day trip, or a more lengthy getaway offers an almost boundless list of activities for people of all stripes.

Now we’ll run down a list of some of the best things to do when you arrive at a Mankato lake:

Go for a swim. The swimming lakes near Mankato provide all kinds of laughs and games for the kids, or all the physical activity that an exercise junky could want in between getting that perfect golden tan. If you want to spend time swimming and on the beach you’ll want to be sure your lake has a nice swimming area and a sandy beach to spread out on prior to packing the car and the family! You know as well as we do that a swimming pool just isn’t as much fun as a magnificent public beach on a lake near Mankato!

Grab a board. For those in search of some exercise, strap your favorite kayak or paddleboard to the top of your vehicle and find yourself a lake near Mankato that has a public launch and start paddling around to enjoy nature’s beauty in all it’s glory.

Catch some fish. For those that love to fish, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a good fishing spot to help you have a relaxing day with a line in the water whether you’re out on a boat or fishing from shore.

Lake Checklist

A lake day itinerary can honestly be all over the map when you take into consideration which lake you’re going to, the season, and your plan of attack. However, we’ve built out a short list of popular go-to items that you can use as a checklist to make sure you cover your bases.

Lake basics

When the plan is to be outdoors for the majority of the weekend, the following list of items is an excellent starting point when it comes to the necessities that you’ll be happy to have on hand.

  • Swimsuits
  • A blanket or sheet
  • Food and snacks
  • A sunhat or glasses
  • Insect repellant
  • UV protection
  • Plastic grocery bags (for trash and/or wet clothes)
  • A cooler and drinks
  • Radio or speaker
  • Dry shirt

More lake items

Consider the itinerary when at the water and your guests, the items below might also prove useful and worth packing before you get on the road.

  • Tackle box
  • Baby gear (if necessary)
  • Kindle
  • Games for the beach
  • Fishing and boating licenses
  • Inflatable pool toys
  • Swimming goggles
  • Worms or other bait
  • Corkscrew
  • Something to clean up with like sanitizers or wet wipes

Staying Safe on a Lake

While it’s easy to get lost in a fun day at a lake near Mankato, it’s important that you remember to keep safety top of mind. Here are some general tips that will make sure that your whole group are always safe on the water.

  • Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft
  • Keep your distance from wildlife
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Avoid alcohol consumption before swimming, as it can impair judgment and result in drowning
  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
  • Use sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside
  • Make sure no one swims alone

More Tips for a Lake Getaway in Mankato

When you make a trip to the one of a kind lakes near Mankato, there are a few things that can make your weekend gameplan much more rewarding. For example, every lake is going to have their own qualities and surroundings so it’s important to think about what you need to make a memorable adventure as you plan yours.

  1. Do homework on the beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, sometimes the beaches near Mankato can get exceptionally crowded. If you want more space to spread out, do some digging on a variety of lakes in the area to learn about how busy they are if you want a more relaxing vibe. If you want to be where the party’s at, then look for the biggest, most happening beach!
  2. Maximize unique local resources. When you have time for a longer stay, find local state campgrounds and parks that offer the ability to stay directly on the water at an affordable price.
  3. Find a marina. Many lakes have local marinas that offer boat rentals of all sizes. You don’t need to own a boat to enjoy a day fishing on the lake or a wild day of wakeboarding. Using a search engine can typically help you locate options for renting the perfect boat.