Lake Como

Located in Como Park, Near Lexington Parkway and Como Avenue on the north Side of Saint Paul, this is one of the most popular bodies of water in the Twin Cities. Hundreds of bicyclers, joggers, and dog walkers take to the pathways circumventing it almost every day.Oddly enough, almost no one actually puts into the water. There is a large pavilion on the west side which occasionally rents out one or two paddle boats. I saw someone paddling a kayak once. Otherwise you can expect to have the lake all to yourself. Oddly enough, people  have stopped me each time I've launched. They've mentioned that light watercraft is a great idea. 

The Prodigal beached near the fishing pier

At 68 acres, Lake Como is rather small. You can row or paddle all the way across and back within an hour. It's a bit of a workout anyway, especially for your first time out. The best place to launch is on the south side next to the fishing pier just off Gateway Drive. There is a small parking lot there too. Trailer parking is not allowed. Once you are under way, you can head for the  dock at the pavilion. There are rest rooms there and a little restaurant. Each summer the park hosts a number of concerts there. You will be assured of the best "seats" if you drop anchor nearby. You can use this url to obtain the concert schedule:

http://www.stpaul.gov/DocumentView.aspx?DID=12736

Launch next to the fishing pier on the south side

History

Lake Como has been a city park for over a century. In 1848 a local farmer Charles Perry named it after the famous lake in Italy. Other than the word, these two have nothing in common. Another unusual story connects to  Jesse James and the failed bank robbery in Northfield Minnesota way back in 1876. Gang member Charlie Pitts was killed. His remains were shipped up here. Doctor Henry Hoyt submerged it in the lake to study the effects of decomposition. People have reported seeing his ghost on the lake.

Fishing

Look for black crappie, black bullhead, bluegill, golden shiner, green sunfish, northern pike, pumpkin seed, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch. The average depth is nine feet and it is pretty weedy. The DNR has posted some restrictions on consumption due to contamination: www.dnr.state.mn.us

Ducks on Como: A mallard paddles across my bow to get a better look at me

 A mother and her ducklings swim away from the launch area. Ducks like to "launch" in the same places we do!