Kate Noffke is a Minnesota-based Quality Engineer, mom of two (plus a golden retriever), and a joyful advocate for inclusive outdoor recreation. Support her 50 Lake Challenge fundraiser and her mission to get more women and girls outside!
After 14 months, the 50 Lake Challenge is complete.
I created this challenge to support the Cairn Project, which raises money to support girls and women in outdoor adventures. My goal was simple: explore 50 lakes, mostly by kayak, and raise money along the way. The Cairn Project helps women transform outdoor adventures into opportunities for others by funding scholarships and outdoor programs for girls and women.
There’s still time to donate to the 50 Lake Challenge: Exploring MN or share my fundraiser with friends who love the outdoors.
Here are the 50 lakes, grouped geographically but kept in the chronological order I visited them.
Getting My Feet Wet Close to Home
15 lakes · Ramsey County
Highlights: the lake that inspired the challenge • paddling with family and friends • winter skiing and swans • learning to kayak on my own
#1 Owasso: Roseville, MN
We used to ski boat on this lake, but a kayak brought a new perspective and a realization that ski boats are the worst part of it.
#2 White Bear: White Bear Lake, MN
A paddle with my dad, Tim Shepardson, to get away from the stress of everyday life for a few hours.
#5 Snail: Shoreview, MN
There were actually snails floating in the water as I kayaked.
#8 Vadnais: Vadnais Heights, MN
No boats allowed, so I biked around the lake. This is the lake that inspired my lake challenge because it’s so relaxing here.
#15 Sucker: Vadnais Heights, MN
Cross-country ski season begins. 50+ swans live in the open water in the winter, and it is magical watching and listening to them.
#17 Grass: Shoreview, MN
More cross-country skiing around the lake.
#18 Island: Shoreview, MN
Not a top lake due to highway proximity, but any time near a lake is better than nothing.
#22 Otter: White Bear Lake, MN
Date night with my husband, Paul. We still love each other.
#30 Turtle: Shoreview, MN
Finally, 30 lakes in, I launched a kayak by myself. I was no longer intimidated by the big trucks putting their pontoons in as I unloaded my kayak from the sedan roof.
#33 Joanna: Arden Hills, MN
I kayaked and Leo paddleboarded at sunset. It felt daunting to get everything loaded and launched, but we figured it out.
#34 Josephine: Roseville, MN
A solo kayak trip on a summer vacation day. I was getting better at transporting the kayak, but it was still a hassle. Kayaking is pretty easy; the hardest part is hauling it.
#35 Bald Eagle: White Bear Lake, MN
My dream is to live on this lake with my evening kayak buddy, Paul.
#42 West Vadnais: Vadnais Heights, MN
A special place to visit and decompress. Even a short amount of time here helps me reset.
#43 Como: St. Paul, MN
My former home lake never disappoints. I didn’t ski on it in this challenge, but it was where I got comfortable skiing a few years ago.
#49 Langton: Roseville, MN
I revisited the lake trail and playground we discovered during the Covid lockdown days. We encountered some bird watchers, which gave me an idea for my next hobby.
Exploring the Metro
11 lakes · Twin Cities area
Highlights: quiet, motor-free paddles • big wind • unexpected wildlife • lakes that were worth the drive
#6 Golden: Circle Pines, MN
Hooray, no motor boats allowed. A quiet paddle through the lily pads, where I saw a dead tree full of cormorants.
#7 Hyland: Bloomington, MN
Top 10 kayak for sure. I loved the peacefulness of this quiet, motor-free lake. This was also where I realized I actually like taking photos.
#13 Big Marine: Lino Lakes, MN
Big Marine was so windy! I didn’t enjoy it the first time, but had fun embracing the waves when I came back the following year with my sister-in-law, Hannah Noffke.
#14 Gervais: Little Canada, MN
A lake I drove by often, I didn’t realize then that it was part of the Phalen Chain, which I would later revisit with Kristin Mills.
#20 Bennett: Roseville, MN
A spring morning walk with Becky Cline and Amy the dog. We got quite close to a blue heron, jumpstarting my middle-aged hobby of birdwatching.
#21 Elmo: Lake Elmo, MN
A solo kayak to reflect on motherhood on Mother’s Day.
#23 De Montreville: Lake Elmo, MN
I paddled this lake twice, once solo and once for a sunset cruise with Amy Khan.
#24 Olson: Lake Elmo, MN
Connected by channel to De Montreville. Worth the visit once to check off another lake, but I didn’t need to go a second time.
#36 Long: New Brighton, MN
On a hot summer day, I kayaked while my family played on the paddleboard at the beach.
#48 Schulze: Eagan, MN
A peaceful time kayaking with Maggie Mathison in Lebanon Hills.
Chains: More Lakes, More Adventure
11 lakes · connected waterways around the Twin Cities
Highlights: efficient ways to visit multiple lakes • navigation required • some of the best paddling of the challenge
Minneapolis Chain: #9 Bde Maka Ska, #10 Lake of the Isles, #11 Cedar, #12 Brownie
Monica Bejar-Lotanda guided me through the chain on a beautiful September day with clear blue sky and calm water.
Rice Creek Chain (Lino Lakes): #25 Peltier, #26 George Watch, #27 Marshan
I reconnected with Kristin Mills, a fellow kayak owner, to paddle against the wind across these lakes.
Phalen Chain (St. Paul and Maplewood): #37 Phalen, #38 Round, #39 Spoon, #40 Keller
Three more lakes exploring the Phalen chain with Kristen. I lived in St. Paul for almost 20 years and visited Lake Phalen several times without realizing it was the beginning of a chain.
Seeking Serenity in Northern Minnesota
5 lakes · northern and southeastern Minnesota
Highlights: wind • eagles • Lake Superior • family hiking
#3 Itasca: Park Rapids, MN
Amy Khan joined me on a windy day to explore the source of the Mississippi River.
#4 Boot: Park Rapids, MN
I remember seeing two eagles on this lake during a solo kayak trip and thinking of my uncle and cousin who died by suicide years ago. Growing up, I wondered if I was vulnerable, which led me to make the safest choices. Where would I be if I lived my life without that fear?
#19 Superior: Two Harbors, MN
The greatest of Great Lakes. I love walking the shore and even got to kayak with Paul in Burlington Bay.
#28 Pepin: Pepin, MN
My family and I completed our first Minnesota State Park hiking club hike, with views of Lake Pepin (actually part of the Mississippi River).
#41 Echo: Moose Lake, MN
Lots of frogs on the shore.
Out of State, Out of Mind
7 lakes · South Dakota, Wisconsin and Michigan
Highlights: loosening the rules • family road trips • swimming and beaches • staying focused on fun
#16 Sylvan: Park City, SD
I decided to loosen the rules and include lakes outside Minnesota and activities beyond kayaking and skiing. Sylvan Lake was an easy, scenic family hike on a lovely March day. My original goal was 100 lakes, only in Minnesota and only kayaking or skiing. That was too limiting, so I scaled back, expanded the scope and made sure it stayed fun.
#29 Winnebago: Oshkosh, WI
Kicked off the summer swimming and playing in the big waves with family, then experienced swimmer’s itch for the first time.
#31 Lake Michigan: Manistique, MI
The sandy beach reminded me of the Caribbean. You could walk for miles.
#32 Indian Lake: Manistique, MI
My kids and husband helped free a snapping turtle they thought was trapped in the mud at the shore. The jury’s out on whether it actually needed help, but the turtle swam away.
#44 Devils Lake: Wisconsin Dells, WI
Eagle diving, climbing on boulders, and nowhere to park.
#45 Lake Delton: Wisconsin Dells, WI
A sunset/evening walk from the resort to visit the iconic lake.
#46 Pickerel: St. Germain, WI
Lots of paddleboarding.
Last but Not Least
#50 Harriet: Minneapolis, MN
It was nostalgic kayaking on my last lake. On the drive there, I shared with my family my next goal: writing a novel. Both of my kids were excited about it. I did this challenge for myself, but it was also important for my kids to see me accomplish something big.
With Gratitude
This was the first goal I set for myself that wasn’t family or career-related since I learned to swim at age 20. 😊 It was so much fun, and I’m grateful for everyone who supported me along the way. Thanks to everyone who joined me on the lakes: Amy, Maggie, Kristen, Becky, Anna, Kim, Dad, Paul, Leo, Scott and Hannah.
And thanks to those who donated to the fundraiser: Mom, Jay, George, Anita, Amy, Becky and Anna.
Finally, thanks to Hayward Sports for helping me buy my first kayaks!
If you haven’t donated yet, there’s still time to support the 50 Lake Challenge. Every dollar funds scholarships and outdoor programs that get more girls and women outside.
