Apply for a permit to store your canoe or kayak on one of several Minneapolis lakes or on the Mississippi River. We rent 600 storage racks annually. In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the MPRB does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities.
If assistance is needed to complete registration, please contact us at 612-230-6400 or WaterCraft@minneapolisparks.org.
Locations & Fees
Rack Sites
- Bde Maka Ska North Beach Site
- Bde Maka Ska Thomas Beach Site
- Lake Harriet Northwest Site
- Lake Harriet Northeast Site
- Lake Nokomis Site
- Lake of the Isles North Site
- Lake of the Isles South Site
- Cedar Lake East Site
- Cedar Lake West Site
- Brownie Lake Site
- Boom Island – River Site
- Bohemian Flats – River Site
- Ryan Lake Site
- Lake Hiawatha Site
- Wirth Lake Site
Permit Term
50 weeks: May 1-April 15
Permit Fee
Minneapolis Resident Annual Fee: $300
Renew Rack
Guarantee your same rack as last year by renewing. Registration begins Jan 2, 2024 at 8 am CT. Deadline to register is February 29, 2024 at 4 pm CT.
Online Renewing Instructional [PDF]
Switch Rack
By switching, you’re able to get a rack within your same rack site or change to a different site. Availability is not guaranteed; however, you will be guaranteed a rack. Registration begins Jan 2, 2024 at 8 am CT. Deadline to register is February 29, 2024 at 4 pm CT.
Switch RackEnroll for New Rack
If you did not hold a canoe rack last year, you may enroll for the Canoe Rack Drawing, which will be held by staff internally on March 6th. Registration begins Jan 2, 2024 at 8 am CT. Deadline to register is February 29, 2024 at 4 pm CT.
Enroll for RackCurrent Renters
Staying on the Same Rack
Renew Rack through the same process as previous years to guarantee your same rack number. This will assure your same rack on the same lake you were on last year.
Switching Racks within the Same Site
If you wish to switch racks in the same site you’re currently in, you may apply to Switch Racks. Switching racks within the same site will guarantee you receive a rack in your same site, but not the same rack you had last year. (Example: If you want to move from a top rack to a bottom rack, this is the option you’d choose)
Switching Racks to a New Site
If you wish to switch racks to a different site, you may apply to Switch Racks. Switching racks to a new site does ensure you’ll receive a rack in the upcoming year, but depending on availability, does not guarantee your choice to switch will be obtainable. (Example: If you want to move from Lake Harriet Site to Lake Nokomis Site, this is the option you’d choose)
Not Renewing for the Upcoming Year
Your watercraft must be off the rack by April 30. The window for new rack holders to place their watercrafts on their new racks is April 15-30.
New Renters
New Renters
New renters will now enroll online by selecting the Enroll Now button. Enrolling will enter you in a lottery drawing. Priority will be given to Minneapolis residents who register by February 29, 2024. The drawing for residents will be held by staff internally and results will be emailed to enrollees. If additional racks remain after the drawing is complete, non-residents that register before the February 29, 2024 deadline will be drawn on the day after the resident and contacted if their name is chosen. Any applicant who does not receive a rack will be refunded in full by March 31, 2024.
Moving to Your New Rack
You may move your watercraft to your new rack between the timeframe of April 15 through April 30. You may lock it to a tree or to the side of a rack on the ground if your rack is not yet open, but it must be on its assigned new rack by May 1, 2024.
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention
If you store your watercraft on a Minneapolis lake, please be sure to review our AIS information to help us prevent the spread of AIS.