Lake Charles - Elysian Twp

Located in Le Sueur County, Minnesota

Lake Charles, or Rays Lake, is a 158-acre lake located in Elysian, Minnesota. The lake is a little over an hour north of the Minnesota/Iowa border and an hour south of Minneapolis.

The closest location for emergency care is Immanuel St. Joseph's Hospital, 21 miles southwest. The Minneapolis - St. Paul International Airport is 67 miles north.

Life on the Water

Although sitting at a smaller acreage than the lakes around it, there's plenty to do on Rays Lake! The shoreline is relatively undeveloped on its eastern and western ends, with a maximum depth of 32 feet.

The lake is great for activities like kayaking, cruising on your pontoon, swimming, or fishing. Anglers can expect to catch largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, black crappie, carp, and more.

What's Nearby?

After a long day on the water, grab a bite to eat at one of many nearby restaurants. Some examples of excellent cuisine include Scoops, The Lucky Lure, The Anchor, and The Landing On Madison.

Nearby Lake Elysian is a 2,215-acre lake that is a great spot with plenty of room for different kinds of watersports and fishing.

If you're looking for something to do with the young ones, the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota makes for a great day trip! There are different interactive exhibits that everyone is sure to love!

Visit Minneapolis

Minneapolis offers many attractions, such as the Minneapolis Institute of Art! Travel through 4,000 years of world history as you view more than 80,000 works of sculpture, photography, paintings, drawings, and prints.

The Mall of America offers great shopping and hosts over 40 million people annually. Nickelodeon Universe is an incredibly family-friendly amusement park in the mall and is split into two indoor amusement parks.

Another local favorite is the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. One of the crown jewels of the city's park system, the garden is a top destination for tourists to enjoy art like the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry.

For outdoor recreation and scenic nature, check out Minnehaha Park. This is the oldest park in Minneapolis and boasts 193 acres, numerous scenic trails, limestone bluffs, a 53-foot waterfall, picnic pavilions, bike rentals, and an off-leash dog park.

After a long day of exploring the city, grab a bite to eat at one of the world-famous restaurants! Some local favorites include Spitz, Red Cow North Loop, Alma, and the Hen House Eatery.

Why Lake Charles?

If you're seeking a getaway that's more remote than it feels, you've found the perfect match in Lake Charles!