By Tim Ornell | Ornell Group
If you're new to lake living, nobody hands you a manual. You figure things out by watching your neighbors, asking questions, and making a few mistakes along the way.
One of the first things new lakeshore homeowners realize is that the dock doesn't just sit there year-round. In Minnesota, it comes in every fall and goes back out every spring — and doing it right makes a real difference in how long your dock lasts and how your season goes.
Here's a straightforward guide to what that process actually looks like.
Why You Have to Take It Out
Minnesota winters are hard on docks. Ice doesn't just freeze around a dock — it moves. As it expands and shifts through the winter, it can bend, crack, or completely destroy a dock that's left in the water. Insurance typically won't cover damage from ice if the dock was left in after conditions made it unsafe.
The general rule of thumb: get your dock out before ice-up. In the northern Twin Cities suburbs, that usually means sometime in October, though it varies year to year depending on when temps drop.
Types of Docks — And Why It Matters
The process for taking a dock in and out depends on what kind of dock you have. The three most common types on lakes in this area:
Pipe docks are the most common on smaller to mid-sized lakes. They sit on legs that screw into the lakebed. They're relatively straightforward to install and remove, and most homeowners handle them with a couple of helpers and some basic equipment.
Roller docks sit on wheels and roll in and out from the shore. They're easier to manage than pipe docks — one or two people can handle them without getting in the water. Good option for shallower entry points.
Floating docks are anchored to the bottom with cables or chains and float on the surface. They require more equipment to pull — typically you need a boat to manage the sections. These are more common on larger lakes with deeper water near the shoreline.
Knowing what you have matters before you start planning your fall haul-out.
Taking the Dock Out in the Fall
When to do it: Watch the forecast. Once nighttime temps are consistently dropping into the 20s, you're in the window. Most people on lakes in this area aim for mid to late October. Don't wait until the first hard freeze — working in cold water is no fun and ice can show up faster than expected.
What you'll need:
- 2-4 people depending on dock size and type
- A pipe wrench or dock removal tool for pipe docks
- A flat-bottomed wagon or dock cart to move sections
- A place to store it — on shore, in a garage, or on your property away from the water
The process for a pipe dock:
- Remove any accessories first — cleats, bumpers, ladders, lighting.
- Detach sections starting from the end farthest from shore and work your way in.
- Unscrew the legs from the lakebed. This is the part that gets wet. Waders help.
- Carry or cart each section out and store flat or upright on shore.
- If you have a boat lift, cable it up or remove it depending on the manufacturer's instructions. Most lift manufacturers have guidance specific to their model.
Storage: Store dock sections flat if possible to prevent warping. Keep them off the ground if you can — wet ground over a long winter accelerates rust on the hardware.
Putting the Dock In in the Spring
When to do it: Wait until ice-out is fully complete and the DNR has confirmed the lake is clear. Don't rush it — a late ice chunk can damage a dock that went in too early. Most lakes in the northern suburbs are clear by mid to late April, but it varies.
The process:
- Inspect your sections and hardware before you start. Winter storage turns up bent legs, stripped threads, and corroded hardware. Better to find it in the driveway than halfway through installation.
- Start from the shore and work out. Set each section, level it, and secure before moving to the next.
- Adjust leg height as you go — lake bottoms aren't flat. Take your time getting it level. A dock that's off by a few inches feels crooked all summer.
- Once the dock is in, walk it. Check for wobble, soft spots, anything that doesn't feel right. Tighten what needs tightening before you put anything on it.
- Reinstall your accessories — bumpers, ladder, cleats, any lighting.
DNR rules: Before you install, it's worth knowing the DNR guidelines for your specific lake. There are rules around how far a dock can extend, what materials are allowed, and in some cases, permit requirements. It's not complicated, but it varies by lake and it's worth knowing before you build out or modify anything.
When to Hire It Out
There's no shame in hiring a dock service. A lot of lakeshore homeowners do — especially when the dock is large, the water is deep, or they just don't want to spend a fall Saturday in cold water.
Dock installation and removal companies operate all over the northern suburbs. They typically charge by the section or by the hour, and they bring the right equipment. If you're new to a property and don't know what you have yet, having a professional handle the first season while you watch and learn isn't a bad approach.
One company we've used and trust on our lakes is Miller Mobile Marine. They know the area, they're reliable, and they've seen just about every dock situation there is. Worth a call if you're looking for someone to handle it.
A Few Things I've Seen Go Wrong
Not to scare anyone — but these come up:
- Leaving it in too long. Ice wins. Every time. If you're unsure, get it out early.
- Storing sections on uneven ground. Wooden dock sections warp over winter if they're not stored flat.
- Skipping the spring inspection. Hardware that looked fine in October can be a problem by April. Check it before you load weight on it.
- Not knowing your setbacks. Some lakeshore lots have neighbor agreements or association rules about where docks can go. Worth knowing before you plant your first post.
Lake living has a rhythm to it. The dock going in means summer is here. The dock coming out means you got another good season. It's one of those rituals that becomes part of the year before you know it.
Tim Ornell is the founder of Ornell Group, a waterfront real estate team serving the lakes of the Twin Cities northern suburbs. Questions about buying or selling lakeshore property? Call or text 651.263.9480
