Halsted Bay, located on the westernmost part of Lake Minnetonka, is part of the city of Minnetrista. It was one of the final areas on the lake to undergo residential development. Homes along Halsted Bay fall within the Mound Westonka School District. Notable communities include The Cove and Trillium Bay, both offering beautiful lakeshore properties as well as deeded access for residents. Spanning over seven miles of shoreline and reaching depths of 31 feet, Halsted Bay is one of the largest bays on Lake Minnetonka. This location is ideal for various recreational water sports, including water skiing, wake surfing, and wakeboarding.
The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District has given Halsted Bay a C grade for water quality (on a scale of A-F). This bay is still a popular spot for swimming and boating, especially later in the summer season.
There are no boating restrictions on Halsted Bay, allowing for a wide range of water activities.
The city of Minnetrista operates a public boat launch at Halsted Bay, located just five minutes from downtown Mound. While the launch itself does not have on-site parking, free on-street parking is available along Halsted Drive, making it convenient for boaters to access the water.
Halsted Bay's shoreline is primarily residential, but nearby Cooks Bay offers public amenities. Boaters can dock at Surfside Beach, which provides picnic tables, playgrounds, and barbeque grills for a family-friendly day by the water. For dining, Al & Almas Supper Club in Cooks Bay offers dockside parking, making it easy to grab a meal while out on the water.