Boathouse Community

Life on the River, Winona Style

Stretching along the Mississippi River in Winona, the boathouse community on Latsch Island is one of the city’s most unique river traditions. What began decades ago as an informal collection of river structures has grown into a distinctive, self-sustaining community of seasonal boathouses perched right on the water’s edge.

Today, the boathouses remain a beloved part of Winona’s identity. Colorful, ever-changing, and deeply tied to the water, they offer visitors a rare glimpse into a living river culture that continues to evolve with the Mississippi itself.

Learn more about the Winona Boathouse Association here.

Multiple news channels, photographers and bloggers have shared features on our Boat House community, including:

• MPR News
• Minnesota Star Tribune
• Minnesota Monthly
• “Spirit of Winona”: Winona Boathouses
• Photographer Jennifer Whalen