
If you are planning a home improvement project or business venture, looking to improve the Lake Minnetonka experience, or just have general questions about lake safety and protection, the following information and resources may be helpful. The following list is a summary of the most requested topics, contacts, and resources to help residents, contractors, lake enthusiasts, and other parties learn more about protecting Lake Minnetonka and its use.
Please note that information is provided for convenience and is not intended to reflect all situations, agencies, or topics. Please call the agencies directly for more information. More information may also be available on other lmcd.org webpages or by contacting the LMCD staff at (952) 745-0789.
Thank you for helping to ensure that Lake Minnetonka continues to be a great natural resource and enjoyed by current and future generations.
In case of emergency, to report suspicious activity, or request officer assistance– Call 911.
(Information was last updated 05/20/2018. It is accurate to the best of our knowledge, but is subject to change.)
Topic | Description | Public Contact | Phone Number | Online Resources |
---|---|---|---|---|
GENERAL LAKE SAFETY & USE | ||||
Buoys- Channel | Information about main lake and channel navigation | HCSO Water Patrol | (612) 596-9880 | www.hennepin.us |
Buoys- Hazardous | Information about identifying hazardous or obstructions | HCSO Water Patrol | 911 | www.hennepinsheriff.org |
Buoys- Slow/No Wake | Information about authorized slow speed and no wake zones | LMCD | (952) 745-0789 | www.lmcd.org |
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms | CO requirements for watercraft | MN DNR | (651) 296-6157 | www.dnr.state.mn.us |
Deicing Operations (Bubblers) | Licenses and information about deicing operations and requirements | LMCD | (952) 745-0789 | www.lmcd.org |
Hydraulic Water Jets | Regulations and proper use | MN DNR | (651) 296-6157 | www.dnr.state.mn.us |
Ice House Licenses | Information about Ice house/shelter licenses and regulations | MN DNR | (651) 296-6157 | www.dnr.state.mn.us |
Fishing Tournaments | Regulations and permit requirements for fishing tournaments and special events | HCSO, MN DNR | (612) 596-9880; (651) 296-6157 | HCSO Special Event Permit, MN DNR Fishing Tournament Permit |
Fishing Licenses | Fishing regulations and licenses | MN DNR | (651) 296-6157 | www.dnr.state.mn.us |
Loud Parties/Nuisances- On Land | Information or to report nuisances about city regulations | City Where Property Located | 911 | delegated public service agency |
Loud Parties/Nuisances- On Lake/Dock | Information or to report nuisances on the lake or on a dock | HCSO Water Patrol | 911 | www.hennepinsheriff.org |
Signage- On Lake/Dock | Information about signs located on the lake or on a dock or other structure | LMCD | (952) 745-0789 | www.lmcd.org |
Solar Lights | Information about the SAVE the LAKE Solar Light Program and navigation lights | LMCD | (952) 745-0789 | www.lmcd.org |
Special Events | Permits for events that occur on Lake Minnetonka | HCSO Water Patrol, LMCD | (612) 596-9880 | www.hennepinsheriff.org |
Lake Use Regulations | General questions about Lake Minnetonka regulations, lake safety, ecology, nuisances | LMCD | (952) 745-0789 | www.lmcd.org |
DOCKS, STRUCTURES, & WATERCRAFT | ||||
Marinas, Charter Boats, Alcoholic Beverage/Liquor Licenses, Multiple Docks | Information about licenses, permits, operations, and maintenance of marinas, charter boats, liquor licenses, permanent docks, and other uses | LMCD | (952) 745-0789 | www.lmcd.org |
Dock and Structure Regulations | General information about licenses, permits, Location, maintenance, and concerns | LMCD | (952) 745-0789 | www.lmcd.org |
City Zoning, Land Rental Regulations | Information about activities on land, such as zoning, businesses, and nuisances | City Where Property Located | City | City |
Watercraft | General information about dock use area, location, number of watercraft/density, etc. | LMCD | (952) 745-0789 | www.lmcd.org |
Watercraft for Hire | License information about rental watercraft, cruises, tours, and alcoholic beverages/ liquor licenses | LMCD | (952) 745-0789 | www.lmcd.org |
Temporary Structures | Permits for activities with obstructions on Lake | HCSO Water Patrol, LMCD | (612) 596-9880 | www.hennepinsheriff.org |
Electrical Service- On Docks | Electrical services and connections on docks | LMCD, City Property Located | (952) 745-0789 | Electric Shock Drowning Minnesota |
Electrical Service- On Land | Electrical services provided on land to docks | City Where Property Located | City | City; MN Electrical Code |
AQUATIC VEGETATION, Animals, AIS | ||||
Floating Bogs | Information about floating wetlands not connected to land | MN DNR | (651) 296-6157 | www.dnr.state.mn.us |
Harvesting Vegetation- Public Areas | Management of aquatic vegetation, weeds, in public navigation areas | LMCD | (952) 745-0789 | www.lmcd.org |
Lake Vegetation Removal- Private | Information about restrictions and permits required for managing aquatic vegetation, weeds | MN DNR | (651) 296-6157 | www.dnr.state.mn.us |
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Programs | Information about AIS activities on Lake Minnetonka | LMCD, MN DNR, MCWD, TRPD | (952) 745-0789 | www.dnr.state.mn.us |
Wetlands Vegetation Removal | Information or permits for vegetation removal that is part of a wetland, vegetation, weeds attached to land | MCWD | (952) 471-0590 | www.minnehahacreek.org |
Lake Service Provider Pilot Study | Participating businesses permitted alternatives for equipment with zebra mussels | MN DNR | www.dnr.state.mn.us | |
AQUATIC ANIMALS | ||||
Invasive Aquatic Animals | Information about aquatic animals and invasive species | LMCD, MN DNR, MCWD, TRPD | (952) 745-0789 | www.lmcd.org |
Sick or Injured Wildlife | General information about injured or nuisance animals. | MN DNR Conservation Officer | 888-645-6367 | www.dnr.state.mn.us |
ENVIRONMENT & POLLUTION MANAGEMENT | ||||
Beach Closures | Locations of beach closures, water contamination, swimming alerts, and reopenings | Hennepin County Environmental Services; City | (612) 543-5200; or City | www.hennepin.us, and City |
Master Water Stewards Program | Certifying citizens to optimize shoreline to improve water quality for pollution mitigation | Freshwater Society | (651) 313-5800 | www.freshwater.org |
Emergency Hazardous Spills and Incidents | Reporting hazardous spills and serious incidents | MN State Duty Officer | (651) 649-5451 or 911 | MN Department of Public Safety |
Ongoing Pollution Concerns | Inquiries or reporting of non emergency situations occurring on or into Lake | LMCD | (952) 745-0789 | www.lmcd.org |
Shoreland Restoration | Information about riprap, sand blankets, beaches, etc. | MCWD | (952) 471-0590 | www.minnehahacreek.org |
Tree Removal Shoreland | Permits may be required from City | City Property Located | City | City |
Dredging | Requirements and permits to manipulate the lake bottom | MCWD | (952) 471-0590 | www.minnehahacreek.org |
Shoreland planning and zoning, land use | Planning and zoning requirements, development regulations on land | City Property Located | City | City |
High Water Declaration | No Wake and other restriction in effect when high water declared | LMCD | (952) 745-0789 | www.lmcd.org |