| Lake name | Lake Description | size |
| Lake Calhoun | Adjacent to Uptown, the lake has a three-mile trail around it, three beaches, the Tin Fish Restaurant, playgrounds and a fishing dock. | Major |
| Cedar Lake | Quieter than Lake Calhoun, this lake has three beaches and is on the Kenilworth and Cedar Lake Trails. It has canals to Brownie Lake and Lake of the Isles. | Major |
| Lake Harriet | Famous for its bandshell, this lake has daily concerts in the summer, beaches, a playground, rentals, and almost three miles of trails around it. | Major |
| Lake Hiawatha | Just to the north of Lake Nokomis, this lake has a small beach and nice picnic area. In the summer of 2011 it was the home of Minne the Lake Creature. | Major |
| Lake of the Isles | This lake has almost three miles of walking and biking trails around it, with an adjacent dog park on its southwest corner. | Major |
| Lake Nokomis | Not far from Minnehaha Falls, this lake has beaches, a recreation center, a fishing dock, and almost three miles of trails around it. | Major |
| Powderhorn Lake | In the heart of south Minneapolis, little Powderhorn Lake has a fishing dock, a recreation center, sports fields and a playground. | Major |
| Wirth Lake | Located in the Theodore Wirth Park, this lake has a beach, a playground, and picnic areas. The beach is under reconstruction due to tornado damage. | Major |
| Birch Pond | In spite of its name, this pond meets the definition of a lake. It is best viewed through Eloise Butler Park trails. Access by trails from Butler Park. | Minor |
| Brownie Lake | Just to the north of Cedar Lake, this little lake is connected to Cedar Lake by a canal. Park on Lakeview Av S. | Minor |
| Loring Pond | In the center of Loring Park, this little lake is virtually in downtown Minneapolis. | Minor |
| Meadowbrook Lake | Not technically in the city limits but owned by the city, this little lake graces Meadowbrook Golf Course. | Minor |
| Ryan Lake | This little lake is on the border of Robbinsdale. Near Xerxes and 47th Av N there is a large dock to view the sunset. | Minor |
| Spring Lake | This tiny lake is very small but meets the definition of a lake. Park at the Parade Ice Garden. | Minor |
| Twin Lake | Twin Lake is on the edge of Golden Valley and is accessed by the canal from Sweeney Lake. | Minor |
| Minnehaha Falls | Another Minneapolis gem is Minnehaha Falls and the park area. | Falls |
