Lake of the Isles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake of the Isles |
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Minneapolis' skyline seen from Lake of the Isles, April 2006
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 Lake of the Isles
Location in Minnesota
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| Location | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 44°57′17″N 93°18′27″W / 44.95472°N 93.30750°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 109 acres (44 ha) |
| Max. depth | 31 feet (9 m) |
| Islands | 2 (Mike's Island, Raspberry Island) |
Lake of the Isles is a beautiful lake located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is connected to other nearby lakes like Cedar Lake and Bde Maka Ska. This lake is a popular spot for outdoor fun all year round!
In winter, the lake becomes a giant playground. People enjoy ice skating and playing hockey here. There's even a special New Year's Eve celebration. You can roast marshmallows and drink hot chocolate by the lake.
The lake covers about 109 acres. It has almost three miles of paved paths for walking and biking. The deepest part of the lake is about 31 feet.
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Exploring Lake of the Isles
Lake of the Isles is famous for its two wooded islands. It also has a long northern arm. Many grand houses surround the lake in neighborhoods like Kenwood, Lowry Hill, and East Isles.
The lake was named for small islands that used to be there. The local Dakota people called it Wita Tomna, meaning "four islands lake." Over time, two of these islands were turned into parkland. This happened as the lake was shaped and made deeper.
The two islands that remain are Mike's Island and Raspberry Island. They are special places for wildlife. These islands have very old trees and are protected. To keep the wildlife safe, landing on these islands is not allowed. Signs clearly mark this rule.
How the Lake Was Formed
The lake we see today was created in the early 1900s. Workers dug out a smaller lake and a nearby marsh. The material they dug up was mostly peat and silt. This material was then used to create about 36 acres of parkland around the lake. It also helped form the two islands in the middle.
Over time, the ground around the lake became a bit unstable. This was due to the settling of the dug-up materials. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is working to fix this. They have a big project to make the shoreline stronger. They are also improving the parkland. Plus, they are building twelve stone spots where people can easily get to the lake.
Fish You Can Find
Lake of the Isles is home to many different kinds of fish. You might find black bullhead, black crappie, and bluegill. Other fish include bowfin, common carp, and largemouth bass. You can also spot northern pike, pumpkinseed, and walleye. Some other types are yellow bullhead and yellow perch.
Sometimes, there are special rules about eating fish from the lake. This is because tiny amounts of certain chemicals, like mercury, can be found in the fish. These rules help keep people safe and healthy.
Lake of the Isles in Pop Culture
Lake of the Isles has even been mentioned in popular culture! The famous musician Prince sang about it. In his song "Rock n Roll is Alive (And it Lives in Minneapolis)", he says, "Sure as the drive around Lake of the Isles is cool I know, Rock 'n' roll will never die, like the Minnehaha flow."
Also, some parts of the opening scene for The Mary Tyler Moore Show were filmed around Lake of the Isles.
Images for kids
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Aerial view of Lake of the Isles (bottom) and Cedar Lake (top middle) from the east
