Grand Rapids MN Ice Fishing Report | 2-28-24

grand rapids mn ice fishing

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grand rapids mn ice fishing

Grand Rapids MN Ice Fishing Report | 2-28-24

ice conditions

Ice conditions are still relatively good. Most lakes still have 10” – 15” of ice. Some cracks have opened up on many of the local lakes, so we advise being cautious when traveling across any body of water. Warmer weather will certainly begin to play a role on ice conditions in the next couple of weeks.

ice fishing report

Panfish are biting well. In some cases we have noticed fish beginning to move closer to shallow water as we get later into the ice season. The edges of weed lines near spawning areas can begin to be good this time of the year. Small tungsten jigs with plastics have been working best.
Trout fishing has been pretty slow. Some people have been using small tubes to trick finicky trout into biting to moderate success. Ice conditions have been rough on the trout lakes all season, and now with warming weather they will likely get worse. If you plan on going out for trout be very cautious.
Fisherman are also starting to see some eelpout moving up close to their spawning areas. Eelpout can usually be caught on steep break lines adjacent to deep water after dark. Most anglers experience their best success in the 20’ – 30’ range. 

Ice fishing resources

Even though it doesn’t seem that it is late ice fishing season, but in a low snow and warmer than normal temperatures, we are there. Use caution when out of the nice, and utilize the MN DNR Ice Safety Resources before you head out. Tell someone where you are going, when you expect to be back. Test the ice as you walk out. Use the MN DNR Ice Fishing Ice Thickness Guide  Ice is seldom the same thickness over a single body of water; it can be two feet thick in one place and one inch thick a few yards away.

Fishing licenses are effective from March 1 to the last day of February of the following year. A fishing license for the current 2024-25 license year is effective until Feb. 28, 2025.

The purchase price of every fishing license goes into the Game and Fish Fund, a dedicated account that can only be used for fish, wildlife, law enforcement and certain other related activities.

Grand Rapids MN Ice Fishing Report 2-21-24

Ice fishing Report

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Ice fishing Report

Grand Rapids MN Ice Fishing Report 2-21-24

Late season Ice Fishing

The weather has been pretty stable resulting in minimal gain or loss of ice in the past week.  We are still seeing 11 to 14 inches of ice in most areas.  The lakes are snow free and cleats are definitely recommended for foot travel. 
 
Bluegills and crappies seem to be willing to bite if you can get on top of a school without spooking them. Small tungsten jigs  tipped with plastics, larvae, or wax worms is the ticket.  Look for fish in the basins in 18 to 25 feet of water. 
 
Walleyes are still biting well as we near the end of the season.  20 to 28 feet of water on jigging spoons tipped with fathead minnows has been best.  
 
2024 fishing licenses are now available for purchase. Keep in mind that although your 2023 license is good through the end of February, the walleye and pike season closes February 25th.   

Book Your 2024 Fishing Trip To Grand Rapids

Now is the perfect time to book your 2024 Fishing Trip to Grand Rapids. With the warmer than normal winter, and early spring upon us bookings for Minnesota 2024 Opening Fishing have already started. Minnesota Opening Fishing is May 10, 2024. 

Now is the perfect time to book your 2024 Fishing Trip to Grand Rapids. With the warmer than normal winter, and early spring upon us bookings for Minnesota 2024 Opening Fishing have already started. Minnesota Opening Fishing is May 10, 2024.

A Minnesota fishing trip to Grand Rapids is all about making memories with friends and family. There are 1,140 lakes around Grand Rapids to catch a wide variety of fish from crappies, bluegill, sunfish, bass, walleyes, northern pike, trout and musky.

There are many overnight places to stay in the Grand Rapids, Minnesota area. You will find in town Hotels, Motels, Vacation Rentals and Bed and Breakfasts. Then there are Minnesota Resorts and Vacation Rentals that are located on beautiful area lakes. You can select the perfect place to stay that will fit your individual or group needs. Find Places To Stay in Grand Rapids.

Come make Fishing Memories in Minnesota’s nature.

Grand Rapids MN Ice Fishing Report | 2-7-24

ice fishing report

Ice Fishing Report

This week’s Grand Rapids MN Ice Fishing Report is provided by Sam Westensee and Bryce Busching. Photo Caption: Brooks Bauchman with nice winter walleye.

ICE CONDITIONS

Ice conditions seem to be holding steady on area lakes with 10 to 13 inches being the average.  Ice cleats are recommended as there is little to no snow cover on the ice. 

ICE FISHING REPORT

Panfish have been spooky over the past week. This could be due to lack of snow cover.  If you plan on chasing panfish, consider how much noise you’re making on the ice. This could make or break your success.  

The walleye bite has still been good overall.  Morning and evening hours have still been best but there are some daytime feeding windows on the overcast days.  Spoons tipped with fatheads and shiners or rainbows on the dead stick are the go to baits.  

A few decent pike are being caught on tip-ups with sucker minnows or frozen smelt.  The warm weather we have is perfect for chasing flags!

Remember that NO ICE IS SAFE ICE. During this time of late ice (we know it doesn’t seem possible that early February is late ice) it is good to test the ice as you walk out. Checking with bait shops and sporting goods stores on conditions is a good idea too.

COZY LODGING

Grand Rapids, Minnesota offers a wide variety of cozy lodging from in town Hotels, Motels, Bed and Breakfasts and Vacation Rentals. Minnesota Resorts and Vacation Rentals that are open year-round that are located on area lakes. Find Lodging HERE.

FUN PLACES TO EAT & DRINK

Once you have caught your limit, then it is time to warm up and stop at one of many locally owned restaurants, bars and grills, and craft breweries. These places are welcoming to all outdoors men and women, and families. Maybe you are looking for the best bar burger or the best made from scratch wild rice soup, or the best char broiled steak, or the place that will clean, batter and cook your fresh fish and serve family style for the fishing crew. Find Places to Eat & Drink HERE.

FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY

Grand Rapids, Minnesota is the perfect place for the entire family. If your family isn’t into fishing, that is OK. There are fun places for the kids, places for your spouse to shop and get pampered, pools for the kids to swim, and family friendly places to explore. Find Family Friendly Things To Do HERE.

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ice fishing report

Grand Rapids MN Ice Fishing Report | 2-7-24

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Grand Rapids MN Ice Fishing Report 1-24-24

ice fishing report

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ice fishing report

Grand Rapids MN Ice Fishing Report 1-24-24

Ice Fishing report

We built some good ice during the last cold spell and many anglers are utilizing snowmobiles or ATV’s for travel on local lakes. There is little snow cover so travel hasn’t been an issue. With the spring-like temperatures that we are supposed to see this week, we don’t expect to build much ice in the near future.    If you have any doubts, always check ice thickness before taking any vehicle on the lake. 
 
Ordinarily, fishing can get tough in what we refer to as the “mid-winter” period.  But this winter has been anything but ordinary. Walleyes seem to be biting better with the warming temps. 18 to 25 foot structure during the evening hours has produced the best results.  Fish are biting jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head, or shiners and rainbows on dead sticks. 
 
Panfish are being found in the 15 – 25 foot basins and and can be caught on small tungsten jigs tipped with wax worms or soft plastics.   
 
Lake trout reports have been few and far between for the area, but stream trout anglers are still finding success.  9 to 12 feet of water has been best. 
Ice Fishing Safety: Make sure that you tell someone where you are going, and when you expect to be back. Also, check the ice as you go. Check with local bait shops about ice conditions, and check out the MN DNR Ice Safety guide.
Brought to you by Sam Westensee and Bryce Busching.

Warm and Cozy Lodging

You will find many warm and cozy places to stay while you are ice fishing in the Grand Rapids, MN area. There are in town Hotels, Motels and Bed and Breakfast. Then there are vacation rentals, Minnesota Resorts that are open year round that are located on frozen lakes. Whatever type of lodging that you are looking for you will find in the Grand Rapids, MN area. Find overnight lodging options HERE.

Grand Rapids MN Ice Fishing Report 1-10-24

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Grand Rapids MN Ice Fishing Report 1-10-24

Grand Rapids MN Ice Fishing by Sam Wastensee and Bryce Busching

Grand Rapids MN Ice Fishing Report
A splake (a cross between a brook trout and a lake trout) caught on a lake in the Grand Rapids, MN area.

Ice on small to mid size lakes seems to be holding steady in the 9” to 12” range.   We are starting to see some snowmobile and ATV traffic on some of these lakes.  Most larger lakes are in the 6” to 10” range. Uniformity is still a lingering issue, especially on the deeper bodies of water.  Use caution as there are spots that are newly iced over within the past week or so.   With winter trout season opening this weekend, keep in mind that deeper water is typically the last to freeze and may be unstable. Make sure to continually check ice thickness on your way out and have ice picks handy in case of emergency.  

Panfish reports have been good overall.  Small tungsten jigs or spoons, tipped with wax worms or plastics have been working well.   Weed edges and deeper basins are both still producing. 
 
The walleye bite has slowed a bit as we ease into mid-winter , but some fish are still being caught in the morning and evening hours. Jigging spoons tipped with fathead minnows or shiners on a dead stick have been best. 
 
More about Splake: The DNR stocks stream trout and lake trout in select bodies of water. Most stream trout are caught in 3 to 20 feet of water with splake and brook trout preferring the shallower end. Lake trout use structure usually within the 30 to 70 foot range and sometimes deeper.
 
Grand Rapids MN Ice Fishing Report
Sam Westensee
Grand Rapids MN Ice Fishing Report
Bryce Busching

 

Grand Rapids Ice Fishing Report 1-3-24

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grand rapids mn ice fishing report

Grand Rapids Ice Fishing Report 1-3-24

Grand rapids Ice Fishing Report by Sam & Bryce

This week’s Grand Rapids MN Ice Fishing Report (1-3-24) is brought to you by Sam Westensee and Bryce Busching.

Ice conditions in the area are improving slowly but uniformity is still an issue.  We are seeing 6 to 12 inches on most small to mid sized lakes and 4 to 8 inches on bigger water.  Deep clear lakes are still holding some pockets of open water.

The bite has remained strong and has even improved slightly with a little bit of added snow cover.  Walleyes have been biting best during low light periods around sunrise and sunset.  Panfish are still being found on edges of deeper basins and along weed edges. 

Remember to check the ice as you walk out, tell someone where you are going, and when you are expected to return. No ice is safe ice. And remember to use the MN DNR Ice Safety Guide.

Fall Fishing in Grand Rapids, MN

Fall Fishing MN

Fall Fishing By: Tom Neustrom

Fall Fishing MN

With the heat of the summer hopefully behind us, it’s time to start thinking about all the opportunities that the fall of the year brings to us. Because of the very dry summer many trees are starting to show color so it will be a colorful fall as usual and possibly even a bit earlier. Fall fishing is fun and a pleasure to enjoy nature at one of its finest moments. Walleye fishing can be in its finest hour with some of the best fishing of the year to be experienced. As water temperatures begin to cool down there is a feeding mechanism that triggers species such as walleyes to begin to feed more often with a sense of urgency. Walleyes that can be contacted early and late in the day many times can be caught all day. View Fall Fishing Opportunities HERE.

Covering water seems to be the best idea and presentation to get walleyes in the boat during the fall. They, like other species, are chasing baitfish and can be “Here today and gone tomorrow” when their food sources move. During the warm months of summer, flats that have weed cover are great hideouts for walleyes and provide food and great ambush spots. Many times when covering these areas you can find groups of fish in specific places. Putting your bow mount trolling motor in spot-loc position and casting a jig and minnow or plastic can get several more fish to bite. Its kind of a run and gun method in the fall that can be extremely effective. The new Tungsten Jigs from Northland Tackle have been a “go to” for your arsenal. With its compact size and needle sharp Gamakatsu hook, it will stick and hold on to walleyes and other species like nothing else.

fall fishing mn

One of the favorite species of fall anglers are crappies. As the nights cool and water temperatures begin to also cool, crappies start to vacate the shallow weeds and seek soft bottom bays and slightly deeper water. By using your electronics finding schools of crappies can be an effective way to contact fish. Most often sitting on top of a hungry school and vertically dropping a jig over the top of them can prove to work well. There are times when crappies in the same are will lay tight to the bottom and almost appear as a rock or other piece bottom. Drifting or dragging slowly with a light weight Northland Crappie King Tungsten Jig and minnow or plastic can be effective. With a light action rod like St. Croix 7 foot Crappie Elite can make feeling a bite essential. It’s a different bite and more like loading up the tip and then a firm sweeping rod set will get the job done. Both presentations can be just what you need to put a few nice crappies in the bucket.

Fall magic can be sensed by the wildlife around us. Not just what’s below the surface of a lake, but in the ground above. Walking down a favorite  trail, sitting on your deck, being on the water in your boat can give you a total different experience with nature. The early migration of Monarch Butterflies, Loons beginning to gather, young geese making trial take offs and landing in preparation for their fall migration south is all about the wonders of nature around us. There is no other time of the year like Fall. Wish it was 6 months long! Take the time to “Get Outside”.                                                                                        

Looking for a memorable fall fishing experience? Book a Fall Fishing MN trip with professional fishing guide, Tom Neustrom (MN Fishing Connections) HERE.

Dog Friendly Fall Hiking in Northern Minnesota

dog friendly hiking

Fall is our favorite time of the year to hike in Grand Rapid, Minnesota. The Grand Rapids forests have a high concentration of hardwood trees that show their brilliance color in the fall time of year. Below are highlights the Grand Rapids, MN area hiking options that are dog-friendly. Dogs are required to be on a leash while on the trails.

Grand Rapids, Minnesota is the perfect Fall Vacation Destination because of our communities position located in the middle of the Northwoods of Minnesota. We are surrounded by nature, and we LOVE it and think you will too. There are many places to hike in the fall around Grand Rapids. There are short distances that are a couple of minutes from downtown and places that are well worth the hour drive north where you can experience some of the most breathtaking views.

dog friendly hiking COLOR VARIATION: Yellow to Gold Colors
TYPES OF TREES: Basswood, Birch, Oak,

COLOR VARIATION: Khaki Green to Yellow
TYPES OF TREES: Balsam Poplar

COLOR VARIATION: Brown, Orange & Red
TYPES OF TREES: Oaks, Maples

*Note: After mid-October, it is still a good time to hike in the forests, just be mindful that rifle season will start beginning of November 6, 2021. Be safety smart and wear bright orange when walking in the forests during these seasons.

 

WHERE TO HIKE

The Chippewa National Forest is one of the best places to hike, but there are other trails that we will highlight for you in this section.  Depending on the difficulty level of the hike that you are looking for, we are ranking our Top 5 Places to Hike with dogs in the Grand Rapids, MN area:

dog friendly hiking 1. Golden Anniversary State Forest – (LEVEL: EASY TO INTERMEDIATE) Located 15 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids on the Great River Road. This forest was established in 1961. The terrain includes flat ground to gently rolling hills. The forest is made up of hardwoods and pines that are used to produce timber, create wildlife habitat and opportunities for hunting. Trees that you will see in this forest: Aspen, maple, ash, oak, and balsam fir cover much of the forest. White, red, and jack pine grows on sandier soils. Other conifers include spruce, cedar, and tamarack. Wildlife that you can expect to see is white-tailed deer, black bear, ruffed grouse, woodcock, waterfowl, gray wolf, bobcat, beaver, fisher, pine marten, snowshoe hare, otter, mink, muskrat, trumpeter swan, and eagle. *Note: the signs that state no dogs is for the cross country skiing season.

dog friendly hiking 2. Simpson Creek – (LEVEL: EASY TO INTERMEDIATE) Located 40 minutes northwest of Grand Rapids on County Road 46. This forest was established in 1907 by Sam Simpson. Located in the Chippewa National Forest, this trail is located next to the Cut Foot Visitor’s Center. This 13-mile trail is all non-motorized. The trees along this trail are very old and tall pine trees that This trail is a great place to view birds like bald eagles, osprey, and loons. Enjoy rolling topography through pines and along glacial eskers, with overlooks onto Cut Foot Sioux Lake and journeys into the cedar swamp. This is also a great trail to snowshoe in the winter because it is not groomed for cross country skiing. *Note: the signs that state no dogs is for the cross country skiing season.

dog friendly hiking 3. Suomi Hills Trail – (LEVEL: EASY TO INTERMEDIATE)  Located 14 miles north of Grand Rapids, in the Chippewa National Forest. The remote and stunning Suomi Hills has 19 miles of hiking, biking, and ski trails and is part of a semi-primitive non-motorized area. This is the trail is well known for cross country skiing, but this is a fabulous place to hike. Suomi is located on the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway, which is the oldest scenic byway in the state of Minnesota. *Note: the signs that state no dogs is for the cross country skiing season.

 

 

dog friendly hiking 4. Lost Forty – (LEVEL: EASY) Located one hour twenty minutes northwest of Grand Rapids. Lost 40 Scientific Nature Area (SNA) owes its old-growth pine forest to a surveying error that occurred during the Public Land Survey in 1882. In this forest, you will find over 200-year-old pine trees that take three people to connect their hands together to wrap around. The easy-to-hike trails are perfect for a 1/2 day trip up north with the family. There are public restrooms and picnic tables at this location, so pack a lunch to enjoy before or after your hike.

dog friendly hiking 5. Joyce Estates – (LEVEL: EASY) Located 32 minutes north of Grand Rapids. The trails to the Joyce Estates are kept mowed by the Chippewa National Forest, so it is a great place for hiking, mountain biking, and snowshoeing. The Joyce family created a beautiful private resort area that at one time had 40 building sites and covered over 4,000 acres. Today there are only a couple of buildings that remain standing. This hike is approximately 4 miles in front of the entrance kiosk. The Joyce Estates is located on Trout Lake. It is a beautiful area that has a lot of history.

Click HERE for more information about hiking in the Grand Rapids, MN area.

Click HERE for additional hiking trails located within Itasca County.

Dog Friendly Hiking Pet-Friendly Lodging – Grand Rapids, Minnesota is dog friendly. Grand Rapids is a perfect place to get away in the fall and find dog-friendly lodging. You can search Pets Allowed in the amenities search tab located on the left side of our STAY page. You will find a wide variety of lodging properties that are pet friendly, from conveniently located in town Hotels & Motels, Minnesota Resorts that are located on beautiful lakes, and Vacation Rentals that allow you flexibility.

Please Share Your Images: Visit Grand Rapids would love to see images of you, your family, and your dog on hiking trails while in the Grand Rapids, Minnesota area. Please feel free to email images to: info@visitgrandrapids.com, and we will share them on our social media pages and tag you. Also, use the following hashtags when you share your images on your social media pages: #GrandRapidsMN. Thank you!

Summer Fishing Explosion

summer fishing explosion

Tom Neustrom Shares summer fishing tips & techniques

summer fishing explosion

Here we are in the first part of June and the weather has been more like July and August. Grand Rapids has been a flurry of opportunity to catch fish and most of the lakes in he area are producing walleyes, bass and panfish. With the warmer than normal water temperatures look for locations of many species to be about 1-2 weeks ahead of schedule.

Tom Neustrom Clients Mick Stenson and Ted Warner

Walleye fishing has been particularly good this season with Big Winnie a consistent destination. Winnie has had super reproductive years and the numbers of hungry walleyes has been good for anglers. When the wind blows even slightly the shallow bite has been very good. When conditions of flat calm water shows up, then anglers need to drop to depths of 15 to 22 feet because of water clarity. Big Winnie has been extremely clear and finding water that has a little turbidity can improve your odds. Jig and minnow has still been the best way to boat a nice bunch of fish for a meal, but leeches and crawlers are producing very well also. The new Northland Tungsten jigs have been producing extremely well especially when fishing deeper or in the wind. The weight and thin shape allows the bait to sink faster and the feel is amazing. Some of the areas on Winnie to check out are Sugar Point. Raven’s Point, Third River Bay, near shore humps, Tamarac Flats, and the River Channel on north end of lake. If you are staying at any of the fine resorts available, trolling crank baits in the evening can be very productive.

Some other good options for walleyes in the Grand Rapids area are Pokegama Lake, Deer Lake, Trout Lake in Coleraine, Swan Lake, Jessie Lake, Round Lake and Bowstring. All of the lakes mentioned are good producers of walleyes throughout the season and other species as well. Look to the numerous bait shops throughout the Grand Rapids area and Itasca County for up to the minute information on where to fish. Thousand Lakes Sports in Grand Rapids, River Rat Bait and Tackle in Cohasset, Fred’s Bait in Deer River, Winnie One Stop, Max Mini Store in Squaw Lake are all great places to contact for current information.
summer fishing explosion

Bass fishing is in full swing and on most bodies of water and both species are on the spawning beds. Please practice catch and release and after a quick photo, release the fish so they will return to their beds. Throw Black Hair Jigs, Swim Baits or top water can be exciting and very productive. Some of the very productive bass lakes for both species in the Grand Rapids area are Pokegama, Trout, Wabana, Turtle, and Deer.

summer fishing explosion

Panfish have been very active and they too are in the down side of their spawning activity because of the warmer than normal weather and water temperatures. Bluegills and crappies are still up very shallow in depths of 2-4 feet of water. All the lakes in the Grand Rapids area have good populations of panfish and provide a tasty meal. Very small jigs and plastic fished under a slip bobber can be a lot of fun and productive.

The weather is heating up and so is the fishing in the Grand Rapids area. There is so much to do and fish to catch, so come to Grand Rapids and enjoy the many lakes to fish and the hospitality the community provides.

The Grand Rapids, Minnesota area is great place to bring the entire family for a summer vacation. There is so much to do and see! There are things for all ages. Take a look at the Grand Rapids Visitor Guide for inspiration, and then take a look at the STAY PAGE to book your lodging. 

What To Do When You Are In A Winter Slump

Winter in Grand Rapids, MN

Cabin Fever Reliever

Around Ground Hog’s day, many Midwesterners fall into a winter slump. Some call it cabin fever. We have been inside for way too long! The kids are getting on each other’s nerves from feeling pent up. Even the dog is sick of being inside the same four walls. This blog article gives you tips on what to do when you are in a winter slump.

Jed Laplant Album Release Rapids Brewing Dec 19 1024x769 1 Be Entertained

Even small towns have events, live music and theater performances. A change of scenery can help you get a new perspective. Your town might have all of these ways to be entertained too, however, each community puts their own creative flare and localness to their events, highlights different musicians. The Reif Center is a state of the art performing art center that offers two theaters that both give you an up close and personal view to the entertainment. They bring Broadway performances to northern Minnesota.

Upcoming Grand Rapids, MN Winter Events:

  • Fat Forest Fourteen (Tioga Recreation Area) Feb 11
  • Northwood Pond Hockey Championship (McKinney Lake) Feb 11
  • Frozen Fairway Golf Classic (Hale Lake) Feb 25
  • Frederick Douglass: In the Shadow of Slavery (Reif Center) Feb 10
  • Simply Sinatra (Reif Center) Feb 14
  • Dragons and Mythical Beasts (Reif Center) Feb 16
  • Legally Blonde: the Broadway Musical (Reif Center) Feb 21
  • Blind Boys of Alabama (Reif Center) Feb 25
  • Weekly Live Music, Bingo, Meat Raffles, and other events that happen at fun local places to eat & drink.

View the Grand Rapids Event Calendar for the full list and details of the upcoming winter events to help you get out of the winter slump HERE.

DSC3540 1024x684 1 Winter Recreation

Grand Rapids is known as the outdoor mecca of the north. Surrounding Grand Rapids is over 1 million acres of publicly accessible forest land. There are over 1,400 area lakes perfect for ice fishing. There are over 2,000 miles of trails to fat tire bike, cross country ski, and snowmobile on. Over 13 outdoor trail clubs keep the trails well groomed and maintained. View the Trail Conditions before you arrive to know which trails will be perfect for you and your friends and family to enjoy. There are many places to recharge in Minnesota’s nature: Chippewa National Forest, Lost Forty, Scenic State Park, Avenue of the Pines Scenic Byway, Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway and George Washington State Forest. Getting out in the winter wonderland will help you get out of the winter slump because it gives you a fresh perspective. The American Heart Association has said that being in nature helps reduce stress. Grand Rapids, Minnesota is a charming small town that can give you an opportunity to relax, reconnect with loved ones, and recharge within Minnesota’s nature so that your perspective remains fresh.

Snowmobiling Resized 2 1024x683 1 Snowmobile Trails – There are twelve Itasca County Snowmobile Clubs that keep our 300+ miles well groomed and in prime condition to ride through tamarack bogs, under tall pine forests, and over frozen lakes. You can access these trails from in town lodging properties to access gas, fun places to eat & drink, and also connections north, south, east and west to ride to other communities. The famous Taconite Trail starts in Grand Rapids at the Itasca Fairgrounds where there is lots of parking for trucks and trailers. By riding south to Hill City, Minnesota you can access the Soo Line which runs to Wisconsin.

Cross Country Skiing – Thanks to the Northern Lights Nordic Ski Club, there is over 200KM to ski in the greater Grand Rapids, MN area. Cross country skiing is the perfect sport where all members of the family can view northern MN forest trails. Along these frozen trails you will view northernn MN wildlife like deer, owls, and other birds that remain here in the winter. Ardent Bicycle and Mt Itasca offer rentals.

Fat Tire Biking Resize 1024x683 1 Fat Tire Biking – The greater Grand Rapids, MN area has become a premiere destination for mountain biking. The Grand Rapids and Itasca Mountain Bike Association keeps Tioga Recreation Area winter trails well groomed for fat tire biking in the winter. Tioga offers over 25 miles of single track mountain bike trails that are multi-level and a skills course too. Within 100 miles you can ride 145 miles at 4 different professionally built mountain bike trails. Visit Ridge The Range for more information.

Snowshoeing resized Snowshoeing – In the Grand Rapids, MN area there is over 1 million acres of public accessible forest land that is perfect for snowshoeing. A few of our favorite places to snowshoe are: Simpson Creek and Lost Forty in the Chippewa National Forest. Tioga Recreation Area is also a great place to snowshoe. Just remember to walk flat footed to not create divots in the freshly groomed trail. And cross the trail at a 90 degree angle.

Skating, Downhill & Sledding – What would winter in northern Minnesota be without ice skating, pond hockey, downhill skiing and sledding? Mt Itasca is the perfect place to downhill ski, snowboard, snow-tube and cross country ski. They offer rental equipment on site. There are many outdoor skating rinks where you can ice skate and play pond hockey.

Find more information about winter outdoor recreation HERE.

18033122 1505950616102025 8779788604272335442 n Fun Area Attractions – For a small town, Grand Rapids has a lot of fun places to be entertained, learn about Minnesota History, and embrace stunning works of art and view performance art. Here are just a few places to note: Judy Garland & Children’s Discovery Museums Itasca County Historical Society & Escape Room, MacRostie Art Center, and The Reif Center. There are several places where you can create and learn: MacRostie Art Center, Stained Glass with Class, and the Itasca Community Education. You do not need to be a resident to participate in any of these opportunities. By viewing each of their websites, you can see upcoming classes that they offer, and most of the time you can sign-up and pay online. View Itasca Area Attractions HERE.

Rapids Brewing 3 2 1024x619 1 Fun Places to Eat & Drink and Shop! 

Grand Rapids offers a wide variety of fun places to eat & drink. From locally owned craft breweries, a wine bar and the restaurants that the locals go to. From rustic and charming to fine dining, from American fare to cultural cuisine, you will find great places to dine in greater Grand Rapids, MN. Find fun places to Eat & Drink HERE. Downtown Grand Rapids is a great place to find locally owned boutique style shops that offer one of a kind items like Minnesota art, home decor, clothing, shoes, jewelry and vintage finds. There are lots of places to shop around the greater Grand Rapids, MN area too. Find great places to shop HERE.

Cozy Lodging Winter Cozy Lodgin 1024x681 1

No matter if you are an  indoor or an outdoor person Grand Rapids has something for everyone,, and all ages. You will find a wide variety of cozy lodging places to stay overnight or for an entire week. These year-round lodging properties offer a wide range of amenities and locations. From conveniently located in town Hotels/Motels, Bed & Breakfasts, Air B&B’s to Resort Cabins and Vacation Home Rentals. The choice is yours, and you can search on https://visitgrandrapids.com based on the amenities you are looking for, date and price range through Book>Direct online booking system.  To book your stay click HERE to find the perfect place to stay to get out of the winter slump.

You can start your planning by downloading the Grand Rapids Visitor Guide. This guide offers a wide variety of seasonal articles, event highlights, things to do, places to eat & drink, and places to stay. Learn more HERE.