| Lake of the Isles | |
|---|---|
| One of the islands is in the center, while the other island is just visible on the right side (spring 2006) | |
| Location | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| 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 lake in Minneapolis, Minnesota connected to Cedar Lake and Lake Calhoun. It is home to winter ice skating and hockey, as well as a New Year's Eve celebration featuring roasted marshmallows and hot chocolate. The lake has an area of 109 acres (0.4 km2), 2.86 miles (4.6 km) of shoreline, and a maximum depth of 31 feet (9 m).
Lake of the Isles is known for its two wooded islands, its long north arm, and the stately houses of the Kenwood, Lowry Hill and East Isles neighborhoods which surround it. The two wooded islands are protected wildlife refuges which contain virgin woods. Exploring or landing on either Mike's Island (to the north) or Raspberry Island (to the south) is prohibited, as marked by signs.
The lake was created in its current form in the early 20th century by dredging a small lake (called Wita Tomna meaning "Four Islands Lake" by the local Dakota people)[1] and marsh complex. The dredged materials—mostly peat and silt -- were used to create about 36 acres (150,000 m2) of park land around the lake. Unfortunately, the settling of these materials and the pressure of urban development has led to an unstable shoreline and reduced water quality. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is in the middle of a multi-year project to stabilize the shoreline, renovate the parkland, and put in twelve stone lake access points.
The lake contains black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin, common carp, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, tiger muskellunge, walleye, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.[2] Some fish consumption guideline restrictions have been placed on the lake's bluegill, carp, crappie, largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, white sucker, and yellow perch due to mercury and/or PFOS contamination.[2]