Grand Lake

How big is Grand Lake?

How deep is Grand Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Grand Lake?

What are the closest cities to Grand Lake?

Are there boat launches on Grand Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Grand Lake?

Grand was surveyed during the summer of 2019 to evaluate and update information about fish populations after a significant winterkill in 2013-14, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the post-winterkill Walleye stocking program. Largemouth Bass, Bluegill and Black Crappie are the primary management species for Grand Lake.

Largemouth Bass were sampled during a spring electrofishing survey at a rate of 24.8 per hour which was average compared to other Duluth Area lakes. Average length was 13.6 inches. Largemouth Bass abundance has been steadily increasing since the winterkill event and the lake is providing quality bass angling opportunities again.

Black Crappie abundance of 4.2 per trapnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes. Average length was 8.4 inches with fish up to 12.4 inches sampled. Bluegill abundance was average at 7.9 per trapnet lift. Average length was relatively small at 5.5 inches. Yellow Perch abundance of 6.1 per gillnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes. Average size was 7.6 inches.

After the winterkill of 2013-14, Walleye fry were stocked in the spring of 2014, 2015 and 2016 to provide a short-term Walleye fishery. Survival rates of fry post winterkill can be exceptional, with abundant food resources and a lack of predation by other fish. Walleye abundance of 5.0 per gillnet lift in 2019 was average compared to other similar Minnesota Lakes. Walleye average length was large at 17.6 inches, with some fish exceeding 20 inches. All Walleye captured corresponded to the 2014 and 2016 stocked year-classes, however no specimens were aged to the 2015 stocked year-class. Anglers should expect good Walleye fishing for the next couple years before these cohorts begin to diminish. Walleye do not reproduce naturally at sustainable levels in Grand Lake and stocking return rates have been shown to be low when the fishery is balanced several years after winterkill events. For these reasons, stocking of Walleye in Grand Lake is only planned following significant winterkill events.

Northern Pike abundance of 6.1 per gillnet lift was down substantially from the last assessment (30.8). Average size was small at 18.9 inches. Anglers should expect good catches of small Northern Pike as two strong year-classes of young fish were present.

What is the average air temp for Grand Lake?

Are there any state parks near Grand Lake?