SMITHTOWN BAY

DNR Lake ID: 27013305

Location Highlights:
Smithtown Bay is tucked in the southern corner of Upper Lake Minnetonka. The small bay is sheltered from the harsh winds of the large Lake Minnetonka. The highly sought-after homes on Smithtown Bay are in Victoria and Shorewood in the Minnetonka School District. Just across the bay are the Wawatasso and Crane Islands. Crane Island was a heron rookery until a storm tore down most of its trees in 1906. The herons then migrated to the neighboring Wawatasso Island. Following the storm, 25 Presbyterian families began building several private residential summer cottages and communal amenities on Crane Island. Today, the island is home to vacation properties and a registered Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.

Water Quality:
The maximum water depth in Smithtown Bay is 80 feet, and the bay has an A rating of water quality by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. Meaning the bay is crystal clear and can be enjoyed recreationally year-round.

Boating Restrictions:
None

Lake Access:
Smithtown Bay has no boat launches or marinas directly on its waters, but the neighboring bay, Upper Lake, is home to Howards Point Marina and Upper Minnetonka Yacht Club. Howards Point Marina offers boat rentals, dock slips, and off-season storage. At the same time, the Upper Minnetonka Yacht Club offers sailing lessons and dock slips.

Amenities:
Smithtown Bay’s convenient location allows easy access to amenities like Crescent Beach and Palmer Pointe in Upper Lake. The beach offers a dock for swimmers and launches for kayaks and canoes. Crescent Beach is jointly owned and operated by the cities of Tonka Bay and Shorewood, with lifeguards on duty from noon until 5 pm daily. Palmer Pointe is home to Liberty on the Lake, an annual charity event where Tim McGraw performs on Lake Minnetonka to raise money for Helping Paws. The event is hosted adjacent to Eagle Island, and boaters flock from all lake areas to watch the performance at the end of summer. 

Source MN DNR® 
Source Minnehaha Watershed District®