White Bear Lake Seaplane Base

Regulatory Prohibition. The primary reason for the closure is a specific rule enacted by the White Bear Lake Conservation District (WBLCD), which has jurisdiction over the lake's surface. Rule 2.11 of the WBLCD regulations explicitly states: 'No person shall operate a watercraft that is a seaplane on White Bear Lake.' This ban was implemented due to concerns over public safety, noise pollution, potential environmental impact, and conflicts with the high volume of other recreational boaters on the popular suburban lake.

The site is now simply the open water of White Bear Lake. The coordinates place it in a section of the lake used heavily for public recreation, including sailing, powerboating, fishing, kayaking, and swimming. The shoreline is a mix of public parks (like Matoska Park) and private residences. There is no remaining infrastructure or any indication that a seaplane base ever existed at the location. All activity on the lake is governed by the WBLCD and the Water Patrol.

The 'seaplane base' was not a formal facility with docks, hangars, and fuel services, but rather a designated or informally recognized water landing area on the west side of White Bear Lake. During the mid-20th century, it catered to the general aviation and recreational flying community. Its operations would have included private pilots using small, single-engine floatplanes (like Piper Cubs, Aeroncas, and Cessnas on floats) for leisure and transportation. Its history is tied to the legacy of White Bear Lake as a major resort and recreational hub for the Twin Cities, representing an era when seaplane access was more common on Minnesota's lakes.

Zero. There are no plans or prospects for reopening a seaplane base on White Bear Lake. The legal prohibition by the White Bear Lake Conservation District remains firmly in place. Given the lake's heavy recreational use and the density of the surrounding residential areas, any proposal to lift the ban would almost certainly face significant and likely insurmountable opposition from local residents, lake associations, and the WBLCD itself.