Lake Life StoriesMinnetonka Pontoon Sundays
125 miles of shoreline and the metro lake that invented Minnesota summer.
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A Lake Life 365 ChapterMINNESOTA LAKE LIFE
The Land of 10,000 Lakes Chapter — where the walleye never stop and the wilderness never ends.
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Welcome to the Chapter
10,000 LAKES. ONE LEGENDARY SUMMER.
From the metro bays of Minnetonka to the big-water walleye of Mille Lacs and the canoe-country wilderness of the Boundary Waters, Minnesota is the Land of 10,000 Lakes — and the newest chapter of Lake Life 365. This is your home base for every Minnesota lake, event, marina, dock-up dinner, and lake-town boutique.
Featured Minnesota Lakes
THE LAKES
Three lakes that define Minnesota lake life — and ten thousand more waiting.
14,500 acresThe Twin Cities Jewel
Lake Minnetonka
Just west of Minneapolis, Minnetonka is Minnesota's most iconic metro lake — 125 miles of shoreline, dozens of bays and islands, historic lake homes, and a pontoon culture that runs from Memorial Day to the last warm October afternoon.
132,500 acresThe Big Walleye Lake
Mille Lacs Lake
Minnesota's second-largest lake and a legendary walleye factory. Vast, windswept, and big-water wild, Mille Lacs humbles anglers and rewards them with the kind of fish you measure with two hands.
1,500+ lakesCanoe Country
Boundary Waters
Over a million acres of untouched wilderness along the Canadian border — a web of more than 1,500 lakes connected by portages, paddled only by canoe. It is the purest, quietest lake life left in the lower 48.
Events & Happenings
ON THE CALENDAR
Real 2026 gatherings across the Land of 10,000 Lakes — walleye tournaments, water-ski festivals, and lakeside concerts.
Fishing
Leech Lake Walleye Tournament
May 30–31, 2026
Walker, MN
Music
Lakefront Music Fest
July 11, 2026
Prior Lake, MN
Festival
Water Ski Days
June 2026
Lake City, MN
Fishing
Summer Fishing Tournament
Aug 8–9, 2026
Lake of the Woods, Warroad
Fishing
Fishing to End Hunger Tournament
Oct 3, 2026
Gull Lake, Brainerd Lakes
Winter
Celebration of the Lakes
February 2026
Detroit Lakes, MN
Top Marinas
WHERE TO LAUNCH
The full-service marinas that get you on the water — from Minnetonka to the Boundary Waters gateway.
Bean's Greenwood Marina
Excelsior · Lake Minnetonka
Full-service marina, fuel, slips & repairs on the south shore.
Metro Lakes Marina
Harrison's Bay · Lake Minnetonka
Boat rentals, slips, gas, and a snack shop — open seven days a week.
Knotty Oar Marina
Prior Lake
The only full-service marina on Prior Lake — Crest pontoons, rentals & service.
Lake Carlos Marina
Alexandria · Chain of Lakes
Slips, rentals, and a launch into the Alexandria chain.
Handberg's Marina
Crane Lake · Voyageurs gateway
Boats of every size for the Boundary Waters canoe-country gateway.
Grand Marais Marina
Grand Marais · Lake Superior
The first Minnesota marina on Lake Superior to be AIS-certified.
Lakefront Restaurants
DOCK & DINE
The best dock-up and lakeside patios in Minnesota — walleye, sunsets, and a slip for your boat.
Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge
Lake Minnetonka
A Minnesota institution — dock-up dining, big patio, and a sunset you plan the day around.
Maynard's
Excelsior · Lake Minnetonka
Lakeside patio famous for people-watching and boat-up burgers.
6Smith
Wayzata · Lake Minnetonka
Rooftop and lakeside decks, steaks, and a prime dock-up slip.
Lola's Lake House
White Bear Lake
Two outdoor decks and a lakeside patio over the water.
502 Restaurant
Leech Lake · Walker
Inside Chase on the Lake resort — Minnesota walleye and sunset views.
Charlie's on Prior
Prior Lake
A local-favorite lakefront patio for food, drinks, and boat-up crowds.
Lake Town Boutiques
SHOP THE TOWN
The walkable downtowns of Detroit Lakes, Alexandria, and the Brainerd Lakes — boutiques, gifts, and sweet treats.
The Nines
Detroit Lakes
Women's clothing, shoes & accessories — a lakeside-town go-to.
The Dashery
Alexandria & Detroit Lakes
Timeless, elevated men's and women's better clothing.
Leela & Lavender
Detroit Lakes
Boutique women's fashion and gifts in the heart of downtown.
Vintage N Vogue
Detroit Lakes
Curated vintage and modern finds for the lake-house wardrobe.
Nature's Embrace Soap Company
Detroit Lakes
Handcrafted soaps and lake-house gifts, locally made.
Nisswa Shops
Nisswa · Brainerd Lakes
A walkable main street of boutiques, fudge, and summer finds.
Minnesota Stories
FROM THE WATER
Magazine storytelling from the Land of 10,000 Lakes chapter — walleye, loons, and northwoods sunsets.
Explore Minnesota
LIVE IT. LOVE IT. LAKE LIFE.
JOIN THE MINNESOTA CHAPTER
Share your Minnesota lake photos, find your local crew, and help us build the Land of 10,000 Lakes chapter.
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