Mitchell Lake (MN): Motor & Boating Rules
Hennepin County · near Eden Prairie · managed by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
- Gas outboard: YES
- Electric trolling: YES
- PWC / jet ski: NO
Quick answer
Check your motor plate before hauling to Mitchell Lake: the limit is 10 hp. Mitchell Lake in MN is limited to outboard motors of 10 horsepower or less under Minnesota Department of Natural Resources regulations (verified July 14, 2026). Outboards rated above the cap are out. Electric trolling motors fit comfortably. Rules change and local ordinances may add restrictions — always confirm with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources before you launch.
Rules at a glance
| Restriction class | 10 HP limit |
|---|---|
| Horsepower limit | 10 hp |
| Electric trolling motors | YES |
| Gas outboards | YES |
| PWC / jet skis | NO |
| Wake rule | None listed for Mitchell Lake |
| Hours rule | None listed for Mitchell Lake |
| Zones | All of Mitchell Lake, no zones listed |
| Managing body | City / municipal government: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources |
| Official source | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources — files.dnr.state.mn.us |
| Last verified |
What this means in practice
Why 9.9 hp motors exist: manufacturers build them precisely for lakes like Mitchell Lake, where a 10 hp cap is the line. If your plate is worn or missing, carry documentation — enforcement reads the rating, not your word for it.
The cap is about the motor, not your speed, on most waters: a 40 hp outboard at idle is still a 40 hp outboard. This lake has its own wrinkle worth knowing — see the note below.
Worth knowing about Mitchell Lake: City of Eden Prairie ordinance (2/1/1989) in the DNR statewide restriction summary. Because PWC engines far exceed 10 hp, personal watercraft are effectively prohibited. Neighboring Red Rock Lake in Eden Prairie has the same 10 hp limit.
Common mistakes on HP limit water
Rounding 9.9 up. A 9.9 hp motor is legal under a 10 hp cap — that is why it exists. Don't let a worn plate turn a legal motor into an argument; carry the manual or a photo.
Bringing the PWC. No production jet ski runs under a low horsepower cap, so the 10 hp limit on Mitchell Lake excludes them by arithmetic, no explicit ban needed.
Before you launch — verify
- The live rulebook is here: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
- For edge cases — mounted-but-unused motors, tournaments, temporary orders — phone the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources office covering Hennepin County.
- Our most recent source check for this page: .
Rules change and local ordinances may add restrictions — always confirm with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources before you launch.
Frequently asked questions
Are gas motors allowed on Mitchell Lake?
Gas is fine here as long as the motor's plate reads 10 hp or less. Anything rated higher is outside the rule on Mitchell Lake. Verified July 14, 2026.
Can I use an electric trolling motor on Mitchell Lake?
You can. Electric propulsion is permitted on Mitchell Lake; most boats here run a 12 V transom-mount trolling motor. Pack a paddle as backup for when the battery fades.
Are jet skis (PWC) allowed on Mitchell Lake?
Jet skis are out on Mitchell Lake. No production PWC comes in under the 10 hp limit.
Who enforces boating rules on Mitchell Lake?
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (city / municipal government) sets and enforces the motor rules on Mitchell Lake, with possible additional ordinances from Hennepin County or local municipalities. State boating officers and local law enforcement both patrol restricted waters.
Where do I verify the current rules for Mitchell Lake?
Use the official document linked in the Sources section of this page — it is what this summary is based on — or go to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources directly. We last verified this page against the source on July 14, 2026.
Sources
- Controlling document (agency publication (PDF)): Minnesota Department of Natural Resources — files.dnr.state.mn.us
- Published and enforced by: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
- Date of our latest source check: