The lake doesn’t need to allow gas motors. An electric only lake (if that is what you are referring to) would be fine.

Great posts – Thanks. I agree – commute, schools and price range all play into it. However, right now I’m just trying to figure out what the best lakes would be to consider based on the lake itself – we can then weigh all the variables. For instance, I work in downtown Minneapolis, and my wife works in St. Paul. Either way, one is probably going to have to drive more than the other.

If I’ve got it right, the lakes recommended so far are:
Bald Eagle
White Bear Lake
Lake Minnetonka
Forest Lake
Big Marine Lake
Lake Elmo
Big Carnelian
Demontreville
Lake St. Croix

Thanks everyone! If there are others, please feel free to pass them along.

Thanks for the message! I have been looking at different lakes and doing some research, but its always nice to hear some recommendations. I work quite a bit, so living on a lake would allow me to fish quite a bit more (because I often find I don’t have the time to hook the boat up, drive to a lake, fish and then return). My thought is that if I lived on a lake, I’d be able to easily grab the boys and go fishing for an hour or two after work. The same goes for ice fishing.

As for recommendations, I’m hoping people might have some thoughts on what lakes they enjoy in the summer and winter. For example, I have looked at houses on Owasso, and I know it has OK fishing in the summer (muskies, pike, bluegills, bass). However, I’ve also read that it is aerated in the winter (or can be), and I have no idea how that might affect the ice depth and ice fishing in the winter. Insights from experienced people in the area would be great on things like that!

Thanks again for the help.