Where to go for wildlife in Minneapolis (spring)

I'm going to Minneapolis at the end of April for a long weekend. I used to live there, but it was long before I got into photography so I have very little knowledge of where to go. I have a car and am willing to drive within the metro area and suburbs but nothing too crazy (like Sax-Zim!).

I'm definately going to checkout Minnehaha for the waterfall, and was looking at Wood Lake Nature Center in Richfield, as well as the Roberts Bird Sanctuary @ Lyndale Park.

In particular I'd love to photograph eagles (I know they're along the Mississippi nesting) and any animals other than birds are cool too if there would be a reliable place to see a beaver for instance. Anything helps! Thanks

- Luke

Welcome back to the great state of Minnesota. If you have the time you could drive down Hwy 61 South. Eagles live year round from Red Wing to Winona but gather in fairly large numbers from Lake City, Reeds Landing to Wabasha. The National Eagle Center is located in Wabasha. This area is the northern end of the Mississippi Flyway. Closer to Minneapolis would be the Minnesota Arboretum in Chanhassen. There is also a wildlife preserve just below Fort Snelling. As for beavers- I do not know of an active dam in the area. For captive wildlife - you could go to the excellent Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley. There are many other areas which you can find on line at the DNR website. Check with a DNR office and they can help as well. Good luck.

William Gillis

William,

Thanks a lot for your response! I'll be sure to check some of them out... the one near Fort Snelling would probably be good due to how close it is to the airport. I would love to take a trip back to the zoo... but my priority is Minnesota Twins games!

I would have a several suggestions.
Crex Meadows - It's about an hour and a half north of Saint Paul. You can check out their website and their Seasonal calendar. It looks like there is quite a bit of activity in April but it depends upon the year. I would expect to see Eagles, Sandhill Cranes and Trumpeter Swans in April. You may also see otters, beavers and muskrats. You can see some of my spring photos at my website. If I has a day Crex is where I would go.
Crex Meadows - http://www.crexmeadows.org/
My website - http://philipschwarz.zenfolio.com/crexmeadowsspring

Monticello, Mn has a large number of Trumpeter Swans that winter below the power plant. They might have returned to their summer grounds by April but it would be worth a call to the local visitors bureau or chamber.
Monticello - http://www.discovermonticello.com/swanpark.html

The National Eagle Center is worth a visit. You also might see quite a few migrating birds along the river in April. They do a great presentation. They also have a beach Tuesday where they take an eagle or two down to the river. I don't know if they do it as early as April.
http://philipschwarzphotography.wordpress.com/2012/08/30/beach-day-at-the-national-eagle-center/

I would second and third the drive down the rivet toward Winona . Awesome views . Have a great trip.