Minneapolis, Minnesota is home to a variety of duck species that can be seen throughout the city in parks, lakes, ponds and more. In the opening paragraphs, I’ll provide a quick overview of some of the best places to spot ducks in Minneapolis.
Best Places to See Ducks in Minneapolis
Here are some of the top places to see ducks in Minneapolis:
- Lake of the Isles
- Lake Harriet
- Lake Calhoun/Bde Maka Ska
- Lake Nokomis
- Minnehaha Creek
- Loring Park
- Powderhorn Lake
- Silver Lake
- Long Meadow Lake
- Cedar Lake
These lakes, parks and waterways provide excellent duck spotting opportunities throughout Minneapolis. The most commonly seen duck species include mallards, wood ducks, blue-winged teal, common mergansers, hooded mergansers, common goldeneyes, buffleheads, ring-necked ducks and ruddy ducks. Spring and fall migrations bring the greatest number of duck sightings.
Lake of the Isles
Lake of the Isles is one of the best locations to observe ducks in Minneapolis. This scenic urban lake located in a popular neighborhood park attracts many different species of ducks. Look for mallards, blue-winged teal, hooded mergansers, ring-necked ducks and more dabbling on the lake. The paved path around Lake of the Isles provides easy access for duck viewing. Bring some bird seed or bread to attract the ducks close-up. Early morning and dusk are ideal times to see the most duck activity on Lake of the Isles.
Nearby Parks
Other nearby parks also provide good duck sightings around Lake of the Isles, including:
- Kenwood Park
- Cedar Lake Park
- Dean Parkway
- William Berry Park
Lake Harriet
Lake Harriet is another hotspot for duck watching in south Minneapolis. This destination lake has expansive open water and marshy edges perfect for dabbling ducks like mallards and blue-winged teal. The wooded shores also attract wood ducks. Spot ducks year-round on Lake Harriet, with migrations bringing the greatest numbers and diversity. The pathways surrounding the lake allow for easy viewing access. Bread or birdseed can help attract the ducks close-up for observation. Early morning and dusk offer prime viewing.
Nearby Parks
Some other parks near Lake Harriet to spot ducks include:
- Lyndale Park
- Rose Garden Park
- Peace Garden
- Lakewood Cemetery
Lake Calhoun/Bde Maka Ska
The largest lake in Minneapolis, Lake Calhoun/Bde Maka Ska harbors many ducks thanks to its size, vegetation, and plentiful food sources. Check the open water, marshy edges and secluded bays around the lake for dabblers like mallards and divers like ring-necked ducks and common goldeneyes. The neighboring wooded areas attract stunning wood ducks as well. Walk the paths around the lake looking for ducks in the calmer areas. Early morning or dusk offer the best viewing opportunities.
Nearby Parks
Some other parks surrounding Lake Calhoun/Bde Maka Ska to see ducks include:
- Lake Calhoun Park
- Thomas Beach
- Cedar Lake Park
- Lake of the Isles Park
Lake Nokomis
Located in south Minneapolis, Lake Nokomis draws in a variety of ducks to its waters and adjacent wetlands. Watch for dabbling ducks like mallards, blue-winged teal and northern shovelers as well as diving ducks like lesser scaup and ring-necked ducks. The best viewing spots are from the pathways encircling the lake. Bring some binoculars to scan the waterfowl rafts gathered on the open water. Early morning and dusk offer peak viewing opportunities.
Nearby Parks
Some other parks near Lake Nokomis to see ducks include:
- Lake Nokomis Park
- Hiawatha Golf Course
- Pearl Park
- Minnehaha Parkway
Minnehaha Creek
Minnehaha Creek flows through south Minneapolis for 22 miles, providing habitat for ducks along its length. Look for common species like mallards and wood ducks dabbling and diving in the creek. Spot ducks from park paths and bridges crossing the creek. The best access points include Minnehaha Falls, the Tingley pedestrian bridge crossing, and lakes and ponds along the creek’s route. Early mornings and evenings offer ideal viewing times.
Nearby Parks
Some parks along Minnehaha Creek to view ducks include:
- Minnehaha Park
- Lake Harriet
- Lake Hiawatha
- Lake Nokomis
Loring Park
Right in downtown Minneapolis, Loring Park provides an urban duck habitat. Look for mallards and wood ducks around the pond and wetlands in the park. The proximity to downtown buildings gives this park a unique aesthetic for duck viewing. Walk the loop path around the central pond and scan the water areas for ducks. Ducks are accustomed to humans in this busy park, allowing for close-up observations.
Nearby Parks
Some other downtown parks near Loring Park to spot ducks include:
- Elliot Park
- Peavey Field Park
- Gateway Park
- Boom Island Park
Powderhorn Lake
Powderhorn Lake Park hosts ducks in its central shallow lake. Spot mallards, northern shovelers, blue-winged teal and other dabblers frequenting the lake and shoreline. Migrating ducks use Powderhorn Lake as a stopover habitat. Walk the pathways around the lake looking for ducks in the open water or hidden among the reeds. Bring some bird seed or bread to attract them close-up. Early morning and dusk offer the best light and activity for duck observation.
Nearby Parks
Some other parks near Powderhorn Lake to see ducks include:
- Powderhorn Park
- East Phillips Park
- Midtown Phillips
- Corcoran Park
Silver Lake
Located in Northeast Minneapolis, Silver Lake attracts many duck species to its calm waters. Look for northern shovelers, lesser scaup, hooded mergansers and more. The pathways around the lake allow for easy viewing access. Watch for ducks dabbling close to shore or gathered in rafts further out. Bring binoculars to scan the open water for diving and dabbling ducks. Early mornings and evenings provide ideal viewing conditions.
Nearby Parks
Some other parks near Silver Lake to spot ducks include:
- Deming Heights Park
- Beltrami Park
- St. Anthony Parkway
- Audubon Park
Long Meadow Lake
Long Meadow Lake at Longfellow Park attracts ducks with its mix of open water and protected shorelines. Watch for blue-winged teal, lesser scaup, hooded mergansers and other species dabbling along the shores and diving in the lake. Walk the paths around the lake looking for ducks taking refuge in the quiet coves. The pedestrian bridge offers a good vantage point. Early mornings and evenings provide peak activity.
Nearby Parks
Some other parks near Long Meadow Lake to see ducks include:
- Longfellow Park
- River Road Park
- Prospect Park
- Tower Hill Park
Cedar Lake
Cedar Lake Park offers many secluded spots to view ducks along its wooded shoreline. Watch for blue-winged teal, wood ducks, hooded mergansers and ring-necked ducks in the protected bays and channels. Walk the paths around the lake, looking carefully into hidden alcoves. The pedestrian bridges provide elevated vantages to scan for ducks on the open water. Early mornings and evenings provide the best activity.
Nearby Parks
Other parks surrounding Cedar Lake include:
- Lake of the Isles Park
- Brownie Lake
- Theodore Wirth Park
- Birch Pond
Best Times to See Ducks
Here is an overview of the best times to spot ducks in Minneapolis throughout the year:
Season | Best Times |
---|---|
Spring | Early morning and dusk when ducks are most active. Peak migration is April-May. |
Summer | Look for nesting ducks and ducklings in the parks. Early morning and dusk are most active. |
Fall | Migrating ducks arrive in September-October. Look early morning and evening when birds are feeding. |
Winter | Some ducks overwinter if waters remain open. Check sheltered bays and channels. |
In general, the early morning hours from dawn until a few hours after and evenings around dusk tend to offer the most activity and best viewing opportunities. However, ducks can be seen during the day as well, especially around their nesting sites in spring and summer.
Identifying Duck Species
Here are some tips for identifying the most common duck species seen in Minneapolis:
- Mallards – Most common dabbling duck. Green head, white neck collar, gray body, purple speculum on wing.
- Wood ducks – Smaller duck with colorful plumage. Iridescent greens, purples, blues and reds on head and body.
- Blue-winged teal – Small dabbler with slate blue patch on wing. Beige and white speckled body.
- Hooded merganser – Small diving duck. Black and white fan-shaped crest. Black back, white breast and sides.
- Ring-necked duck – Medium diving duck. Black back, gray sides, white vertically striped flanks, chestnut breast band.
Consult a field guide or bird app if you need help identifying any ducks spotted. With patience, you can see a nice diversity of duck species across Minneapolis!
Duck Viewing Etiquette
When observing ducks around Minneapolis, please be respectful by following some basic etiquette guidelines:
- Stay on marked paths and viewing platforms – don’t disturb nesting areas or bank vegetation.
- Keep voices low and movements slow.
- Avoid suddenly approaching ducks causing them to flush.
- Keep dogs leashed and under control.
- Never feed ducks bread, crackers or other human foods – seeds, veggie scraps and birdseed blends better.
- Take all trash when leaving to keep areas clean for ducks and other wildlife.
Following these simple guidelines allows everyone to enjoy watching ducks in Minneapolis while ensuring their habitats and behaviors remain undisturbed.
Conclusion
Minneapolis provides a variety of excellent spots to observe ducks in their natural habitats. Lakes, ponds, creeks and wetlands across the city attract many beautiful duck species throughout the year. With a little practice, the most common ducks are easy to identify. Grab your binoculars and head to one of Minneapolis’ prime duck watching locations to spot mallards, wood ducks, teal and more. Dawn and dusk offer the best viewing opportunities. Follow proper etiquette to view ducks respectfully while supporting conservation efforts. Happy duck spotting in Minneapolis!