Part of the Twin Cities metro area, the city of Blaine, Minnesota, is situated about 12 miles north of downtown Minneapolis. The city has a population of about 67,496 residents and is known for over 65 parks, 140 miles of walking trails, and many lakes.

The city’s landscape is a testament to the glaciers that once covered it. As these massive ice sheets melted, they filled many of the valleys they left behind with water, forming numerous lakes in the region. Within the city limits of Blaine, there are several major bodies of water, both natural and man-made. Here’s a list of some of the best lakes to enjoy near Blaine.

Sunrise Lake

Address: Lakeside Commons Park 3020 Lakes Pkwy, Blaine, MN 55449, United States

Sunrise Lake serves as the recreational and scenic centerpiece of Lakeside Commons Park, though it is also accessible from West Lake Park. The lake is managed by The Lakes of Radisson residential neighborhood and was formed as part of the subdivision’s development. Water from the lake eventually flows to the Mississippi River.

Sunrise Lake, together with its bays, offers about 158 acres of interconnected, navigable waterways and about 1.4 miles of accessible shoreline. The lake’s depths reach about 40 feet in some areas.

Sunrise Lake features a sandy public beach for summer lake swimming, along with a beach house, boathouse with concession stand, and changing facilities at Lakeside Commons Park. There is no boat launch at the lake, so motorized boating is not available. However, canoes and kayaks are available for rental from the Lakeside Commons boathouse or can be brought into the park for use on the lake.

Laddie Lake

Address: Laddie Lake 1051 87th Ave NE, Blaine, MN 55434, United States

Laddie Lake is about 77 acres in size, making it the second-largest lake in the Blaine community and also the only naturally occurring one within the city limits. It is approximately four feet deep at its deepest point. In addition to Blaine, the lake partially lies in Spring Lake Park.

Anglers can expect to find a variety of fish in Laddie Lake, including green sunfish, crappie, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, bluegill, and bullhead. Some of the best fishing on the lake can typically be had between about 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Laddie Lake is named after Phillip Leddy, the first person to live in the area. Leddy moved to the lake in 1862 and farmed nearby till his death in 1872. His name was frequently misspelled as Laddie and Laddy in early historical accounting, thus the spelling of the name of the lake.

The park features picnic tables and shelters, as well as numerous walking trails, which provide glimpses of a variety of wildlife in the area as well as prairie and marsh habitat.

Lochness Lake

Address: Lochness Park 11121 Lexington Ave NE, Blaine, MN 55449, United States

Lochness Lake is the fourth-largest named lake in the Blaine area, at about 20 acres in size. The lake is managed by the city and provides recreational opportunities through Lochness Park, which features a fishing pier.

The lake provides the park with a scenic focal point, and the surrounding walking trail features easy access to the lake’s fishing pier. Lochness Park is over 89 acres, and in addition to the lake, the park offers visitors miles of walking paths and a disc golf course.

Lochness Lake is stocked with a variety of fish, including bluegill, crappie, sunfish, bullhead, and even the occasional catchable-sized Northern Pike. The lake is approximately 16 feet in depth, though this can vary greatly during midsummer, when lake vegetation is at its peak.

Parking and admission to the lake and park are free. Parking is available, and portable restroom facilities are onsite.

Cenaiko Lake

Address: Cenaiko Lake 1373 97th Ave NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433, United States

Cenaiko Lake is located about five miles west of Blaine in Coon Rapids, and is part of the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park in Anoka County. Boasting 446 acres, Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park is one of the most popular in the county, offering recreational opportunities year-round. A fee is charged for park entry.

The lake is 29 acres in size and about 36 feet in depth at its deepest point. The lake is a designated trout lake, with fishing allowed only during the trout season. Each spring, the lake is stocked with 2,000 young rainbow trout, with another 3,000 rainbow trout stocked again in the fall.

Other species of fish present may include black bullhead, white crappie, black crappie, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, walleye, golden shiner, common carp, pumpkinseed, white sucker, and bluegill. Those fishing in the lake are asked not to put fish caught in the nearby Mississippi River into the lake, as these added fish can diminish trout stocking.

While there is no boat access to the lake, there is a fishing pier available for use. Additionally, the entire shoreline offers suitable access to the lake for fishing.

Visit a Lake in Blaine Today

The scenic beauty of Blaine’s surroundings is dominated by its many lakes, navigable waterways, and other bodies of water. Lakes provide residents and visitors with not only a picturesque backdrop, but also the opportunity for fishing, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, and other recreational activities. In many cases, the lakes offer these recreational opportunities year-round. With easy access from Minneapolis and St. Paul, Blaine’s nearby lakes and their associated recreational offerings attract many visitors from the Twin Cities. If you’re looking for a lakefront property or luxury home, Blaine may have the perfect one for you.

If you\'d like to learn more about homes in Blaine, contact Kris Lindahl Real Estate at 1-(855) 967-7653 to get in touch with a local real estate agent and discover your ideal home in Blaine today.