Late Winter Ice Fishing Report 3-16-2022

The warm weather is a very welcome change and bringing the snow depth down to manageable heights will make late winter-season ice fishing a bit easier to get around. With several opportunities available for Crappies, Bluegills, Tullibees, and Perch, late ice fishing won’t last long with warmer weather upon us. Make sure when venturing out you bring along or wear higher boots because of increased water on the ice.

Perch fishing, especially in the late winter, can be some of the best ice fishing opportunities of the winter. Perch start to move shallow prior to spawning and are schooled up in big bunches. They are nourishing their bodies and eating several different critters that are available. As the melting water seeps into the cracks and holes of the late ice, perch will go on a feeding binge right up into ice out. Looking at your lake maps try to target areas that come out of deeper water to flats that are adjacent to shallower rocky areas. These are key locations to contacting late ice perch with consistency. Make no mistake you will still have to drill several holes to stay on them, but it’s worth the effort.

Yellow Perch are one of the best-eating fish available and that is why many anglers have learned their food value. The firm, sweet flesh of perch are like no other species. For generations in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois, perch have been part of the “Friday night fish Fries” that many have grown up with. The reason is they are very tasty and fun to catch. We in Minnesota for many years never knew the value of perch until the last 20 years or so. Now there are many anglers targeting perch like never before. Limits were reduced to preserve the perch and now it has rebounded in several lakes where it was decades ago.

Small baits, like Northland Tackle’s Forage Minnow and the Forage Minnow Spoon, are deadly on late winter ice perch. Attach a minnow head or a couple of wax worms and subtly jig it until you get bit. Plastics also work excellent at times and the Impulse Bloodworm can be a bait that will put perch on the ice. Good electronics and an Aqua Vu underwater camera can be all-important ingredients in finding and staying on the perch. Much of the same tackle you use for other species of panfish are well suited for perch fishing also. Lite line in 4# test and a lite action rod is sufficient for perch and loads of fun.

Some of the good lakes in the Grand Rapids area are Big Winnie, Pokegama, Bowstring, Sand, Big Ball Club, and Jessie. Contact local bait shops for updated information on where the perch are biting. It can help in making your decision on where to fish.

To book a last-minute late winter ice fishing trip or book an opening fishing vacation, click HERE.

Ice Fishing for Northern Pike in the Grand Rapids Area

As winter continues to move forward, Ice fishing has sort of taken a back seat to other winter activities in the Grand Rapids area. With snow levels at ever-increasing levels, snowmobiling and cross country skiing have been extremely popular. It continues to be an “Old-time Minnesota Winter” that we haven’t seen in several years. A gentleman once told me the higher the Muskrats build their winter houses the more snow we are going to have. Well, he was correct. Even the weather folks predicted this winter wrong, but the Muskrats knew.

End of Season for a Few Species- Northern Pike & Walleye

Winter fishing is still a popular time to be out enjoying the outdoors. Right now locations are very important in contacting fish of several species. As we are into the later period of ice fishing, the cold water has definitely slowed the metabolism of fish but that will increase their feeding activity as we continue to move forward. Species such as walleyes and northern pike have only a few more weeks to show in your bucket. February 28^th will end the season for both species, but there are still others to fish for.

Ice Fishing Tips!

Northern pike is moist often a fish that is less affected by cold water and they can continue to be active. By using Lakemaster mapping you can target areas where weeds and hard bottom near drop-offs exist. Tip-ups are still a good way to target these late-season pikes and allowing two tip-ups per angler can up your odds if you bring a friend or family member along. Smaller sucker minnows will most often produce the most flags. If I’m going to jig them or fish live to bait with a rod and reel I most often will use a slower moving bait then in early winter, drill several holes in an area from 8 to 20 feet and change holes often until you get bit. Many times attach a small sucker or medium shiner to your jig if that’s your presentation and it will definitely help. If there are weeds anywhere in the holes you drilled, concentrate your efforts in and around those locations.

Great Lakes to Fish for Northern Pike

Several of the good northern pike lakes in the Grand Rapids area that you may want to try are Swan, Trout Lake in Coleraine, Wabana, Big Winnie, and Pokegama. The last 2 weeks of the ice fishing season are coming up for northern pike and walleyes. Get out and give it a try on the mentioned lakes and it may be a good choice for the last of the season ice fishing trip.

To locate lakes, click HERE

There are great lodging properties in Itasca County on or close to the lakes mentioned above. To book/check out the lodging properties, click HERE. If you can’t make it up this winter to ice fish for northern pike or walleyes, don’t worry Summer and Fall are great times to book a fishing vacation too.

Top 5 Trip Ideas for a Romantic Getaway

Romantic Getaway- Visit Grand Rapids, MN

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner plan your romantic getaway in Grand Rapids, MN. There is no better gift than a special weekend out of town. If you haven’t planned what to do for your special person, here are 5 ideas to make this valentine’s day extra special.

1. Hotel, Wine Bar, & Snowshoeing!

In Grand Rapids, there are 5 outstanding hotels. Some of the great amenities that are offered at some of the properties include a pool, hot tub, dog-friendly, attached dining/bar and all are conveniently located close to town. During your stay, visit UnWined Up North. They were voted the #1 wine bar in Minnesota by Star Tribune. Locally owned and known for a wide array of wine and beer all made in Minnesota. During your stay, spend some time outdoors exploring the snowshoeing trails. Rentals are available at Ardent Bicycles. Guided snowshoeing is available every Thursday from 12:30-1:30 at Tioga Recreation with Stephanie from the City of Cohasset Park and Rec. Department. Snowshoes are available during this guided service for FREE! Check out other trails in the greater Grand Rapids area by clicking HERE.

Snowshoes Janna Salmela 2015

2. Experience the Arts During a Weekend Up North!

Part of a great romantic getaway is to take in a performance together. See the Itasca Strings Orchestra on February 12th at 7 pm at The Reif. The Itasca Symphony Orchestra Plays Bizet Featuring violist Evgeny Zvonnikov they will be playing Carmen Fantasy. Before the show, there are great dining options in the Grand Rapids area to treat your special someone. Don’t forget to stop at MacRostie Art Center to see their Face Value exhibit by Russ White. There is also a cool store on the corner called Stained Glass with Class that offered stained glass classes. Call today to book a time!

3. Relax & Re-connect at a Resort or Bed & Breakfast

Enjoy the coziness of a cabin in the winter or the ease of a Bed & Breakfast. Re-connect with your loved one for a romantic getaway while exploring Minnesota’s nature. Set up an ice shanty on one of 1,000+ lakes in the area for some amazing ice fishing. Check out the latest Ice Fishing Report. Another idea is to head over to Blackwater Cross County Ski trail for a night ski on their lit trails. Lights are on until 10 pm and they have a heated shack! For more cross-country ski trails, click HERE.

4. Weekend Ideas for the Adventurous Couples

If you and your significant other love snowmobiling or fat tire biking, the Grand Rapids area is the perfect place to make a valentines day weekend trip. There are over 1,000+ miles of groomed trails to explore. Check out the trails in advance by clicking HERE. If you are visiting to fat tire bike, Tioga is the place to go. There are over 25 miles of groomed trails from beginner to advanced. Click HERE to see the trail report.

Resort Group

5. Beer Flights & Museums

Come experience a fun weekend at the local breweries! Sip a flight of craft beer while listening to live music and enjoy some great food. Rapids Brewing Company has a special menu for Valentine’s Day and Klockow Brewing Company allows you to bring in your own food! Near the breweries are 2 unique museums. Check out The Itasca County Historical Society which has a ton of unique exhibits and has an escape room. Call to book an hour! If you and your significant other are looking for a guided tour, the Judy Garland Museum has a guide every Friday and Saturday. Take a walk around and learn about the life of Judy Garland. The museum included the home she grew up in.

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Information on Booking a Trip

To see the different lodging properties in the greater Grand Rapids area visit our Stay Page. If you have any questions about booking a romantic getaway, feel free to call the Visit Grand Rapids office at (218) 326-9607 or e-mail us at info@visitgrandrapids.com

5 New Year’s Resolutions You Can Achieve in Grand Rapids

Winter Recreation- Visit Grand Rapids, MN

Make 2022 you’re year to do things that make you happy. One of the best ways to check things off your bucket list is to get started on it right away. Below is a list of 5 New Year’s resolution ideas that can be achieved in Grand Rapids.

1. Relax for Some Self-Care Time

Enjoy a day at the spa getting a massage, facial. manicure, pedicure, and other treatments. Self-care can also be spending time doing something you love.

2. Change of Scenery/ Travel

Get out of the busy city and work remotely from a Bed & Breakfast, a cozy hotel or try the resort life on the lake. Traveling to a new place can spark new ideas. Come see what a charming rural Minnesota town looks like and leave re-energized after relaxing up north.

3. Learn a New Skill or Hobby

The Grand Rapids area is home to a wide variety of outdoor recreation and art experiences. Try a class at Stained Glass with Class or MacRostie Art Center. If you’re looking to try something outdoors, head over to Mt. Itasca to try tubing, skiing, or snowboarding. Other hobbies to try include: snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and fat-tire biking. All of these rentals can be found at Ardent Bicycles.

4. See Live Music

The Reif offers spectacular shows and music acts. Visit their website to see upcoming shows. Other local musicians play at Klockow Brewing Company, Rapids Brewing Company, and UnWined Up North.

5. Take Time to Learn Some History

In Grand Rapids, there are 3 must-see museums. The Itasca County Historical Society, Judy Garland Museum, and the Children’s Museum. All of the museums offer interactive exhibits and the Itasca County, Historical Society offers the opportunity to book an hour to try out their escape room.

Come explore the greater Grand Rapids area and start fresh in 2022 by trying one of the above New Year’s Resolutions. Wishing you a happy and healthy 2022. For help with booking a trip, please call our office at (218) 326-9607, or to request a visitor guide, click HERE.

Grand Rapids, MN Ice Fishing Report 1-4-22

Ice Fishing Guide Service- Grand Rapids, MN

Happy New Year to all Minnesotans and come visit us in Grand Rapids all year long. The start of the 2022 year has brought us lots of snow and very cold temperatures. It is winter that Grand Rapids and all the things one can do when visiting.

Ice fishing is in full swing and with the colder weather, conditions continue to improve. Ice thickness varies from lake to lake and safety should always be implemented when out on the ice. It never hurts to call ahead and find out conditions. Any of the bait shops in the Grand Rapids area can provide you with up-to-the-minute conditions. So give them a call before venturing out on the ice.

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Walleye fishing has been good on area lakes and the best times seem to be early and late in the day. Big Winnie has been providing additional options for good size perch and nice northern pike. Now with the additional snow, travel by snowmobile or on a plowed road is the best option currently. Most of the offshore structures are giving up walleyes and nice perch mixed, but moving can be the key to finding pods of fish that want to bite. A Northland Buckshot Spoon or Coffin Spoon tipped with a minnow head is a sure-fire way to attract either species to the hole. If you drill 2 holes close together put a Dead Stick presentation in the hole you’re not jigging in with a single hook spoon or plain hook and a split shot. The “Silent Partner” approach can be the ticket at times.

Other lakes in the Grand Rapids area that are also producing walleyes are Pokegama, Big Splithand, Big Jessie, Moose, and Trout in Coleraine. The panfish bite has been decent on area lakes and especially during the midday. Small creatures that excite bluegills and crappies get active as the day goes on. Drill several holes in an area and use your electronics to locate schools of active fish. The bite may only last a few minutes and by drilling several holes you can literally “Hole Hop” and find the school again. Small tungsten jigs, tipped with a wax worm or soft plastic, in the 1/16^th to 1/32^nd size are great choices to use on 4# test fluorocarbon. A St. Croix Rod to SCT 30LXF is perfect for detecting those lite biters. Many lakes in the Grand Rapids area offer outstanding panfish opportunities. Little and Big Splithand, Pokegama, Big Bass in Cohasset, Bowstring, and Big Balsam just to mention a few.

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Ice fishing is not the only activity available in the winter with prime snowmobiling, cross country skiing trails, snowshoeing and even Fat Tire biking trails becoming more of an opportunity. Couple that with great restaurants, and motel and hotel accommodations, and Grand Rapids continues to be a destination for all seasons.

Grand Rapids Guide Service

Lyle Unger

To contact and check availability for a guided ice fishing trip.

Ice Fishing Report 12-21-21

Winter is always a slow process and an exciting one. In the Grand Rapids area, there is so much to do. Winter brings enjoyment with ice fishing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and fat-tire biking. Come ice fish and explore the hundreds of miles of groomed and off-road trails. The beauty of the Grand Rapids area is that all seasons make this destination one to add to your list of places to visit.

There are so many lakes to try out your ice fishing skills. If walleyes are your passion, there are countless lakes to try to catch trophy-size fish. When the ice conditions improve, there are several lakes that can produce walleyes in the 8-9 pound class as well as eating size walleye. Big Cutfoot, Big Splithand, Deer, Pokegama, and Trout lake produce big walleye every season. Most often early in the day and the last 2 hours are some of the best times to do battle with big walleye. A lesser thought of approach is daytime weed beds that can hold the biggest of walleyes during the day, especially during low light conditions. Tip-up fishing with a lively shiner or small sucker minnow can be just the meal they are looking for. Drill several holes along the edge of the weeds and change your tip-up position every 20-30 minutes. There may be a few pesky northern pikes that may come calling, but this can be a great presentation for catching big walleyes.

A most sought-after species that gets little attention until March and early April are the Yellow Perch that are located on nearly all our area lakes. Many anglers across the ice belt come to several of our lakes in search of the fast action of Yellow Perch. Not a very finicky fish but, they can be caught in great numbers and are an awesome species for the table. Big Winnie has had a reputation for jumbo Perch for decades and anglers from Wisconsin and Michigan have made yearly trips to the big lake for consistent fishing. Winnie provides great habitat for producing good numbers of larger Perch and that is what draws the anglers. Other lakes in the area to try for big Perch are Bowstring, Jay Gould, Big Splithand, and Pokegama. Drill several holes in depths of 8-20 feet around rocks and weeds and hole hop until you find them. A small spoon tipped with a minor hear or a couple of wax worms will do the trick.

Merry Christmas to all and put Grand Rapids on your list of places to visit during the holiday season.

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Fishing Report 10-6-21

This week’s Grand Rapids Fall Fishing Report is brought to you by Tom Neustrom. Tom is a professional fishing guide that owns, MN Fishing Connections guide service. Header photo caption: Tony Perlochek from Marshfield, WI caught and released this 26-inch Walleye on Big Winnie with Tom Neustrom.

With the warm weather, fishing continues to be good to excellent for several species in the grand rapids area. The Panfish, Croppies, sunfish have been cooperating quite well for anglers and some of the lakes to try are Pokegama, big bass in Cohasset, big and little split hand, and loon lake. The boat accesses are still marginal at best, so use special care when dropping your boat in the lake.

Small tungsten jigs with a wax worm or small minnow have been doing the job. Walleye fishing continues to be good on area lakes and look for that to continue until Fall turnover occurs. Water temperatures on most of the lakes are in the low to mid 60’s which is far above normal for this time of year. The jib and minnow bites continue to be the best presentation to use and on most area lakes the walleyes continue to be shallow water. There are exceptions to the rule with lakes such as Sugar, Deer, and Trout Lake in Coleraine. Where depths of 20-25 ft would be a better location. Those lakes that are very clear are much better on cloudy days or the last 1-2 hours before sunset. A jig and a shiner and a chub are getting the job done for walleye anglers. Another presentation to look at it in deeper clear lakes is a jigging rap. When there are 2 angles in the boat together using the jigging wrap and the other using jig and minnow, this is the best way to find out the bites. These 2 fisted approaches can really make a difference, especially on deep clear lakes with structure.

Northern Pike fishing has been good and many times you will catch an occasional Northern while using jig fishing for Walleyes. They seem to occupy the same water column as the Walleyes do and for some reason on bright sunny days, they are even more active. Northern Pike fillets are very tasty once you learn how to take the y bone out. The meat is firm and white and has a taste all its own. Sometimes trolling shad wraps spoons and spinnerbaits are great ways to attract Northers this time of year. We in the Grand Rapids area are enjoying one of the most colorful Falls we have seen in years. Come join us in the outdoor wonderland of the north.

Top 10 Things To Do In Itasca County This Fall

Itasca County is vibrant with fall colors, and a warm fall breeze! Come explore and see what’s happening up north this fall. Here is a list of the top 10 things to do this fall!

1.Rasmussen’s Cowhorn Crossing Farm

Pumpkins, hayrides, animals and fall activities can all be experiences from September 25th- October 31st at Rasmussen’s Cowhorn Crossing Farm. Hours include: Thursday & Friday evenings 4-6pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am-6pm.

2. Fish in Itasca

There are over 1,000 lakes to fish in Itasca County. Fish from a variety of fish and stay up to date on fishing conditions by checking out our weekly fishing report done by local fishing guides. To see a full list of lakes in Itasca County, click HERE.

Jim Lindner small mouth bass — Jim Linder caught this nice smallmouth bass on a Grand Rapids, MN area.

3. Fall Colors Tour Road Trip!

Fall colors have began to show on the trees up north in the greater Grand Rapids area. Take a fall colors tour on Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway. Stop along 4 communities and 14 discovery sites along 47 miles. On your way up, travel along the Great River Road.

4. Live Music Downtown

There is always live music going on downtown at Klockow, Rapids Brewing Company and UnWined Up North! In addition, see music at The VFW, The Eagles Club and The Reif.

5. Fall Hiking

Hike two beautiful State parks in Itasca. Scenic State Park is located in Bigfork and Schoolcraft State Park in Deer River. Both are great groomed trails, perfect to experience fall leaves. For other great hiking spots in Itasca, click HERE.

6. See a show at The Reif or Edge Center for the Arts

The Reif is located in Grand Rapids and the Edge Center for the Arts is located in Big Fork. Both have a variety of shows in the upcoming fall season. To see the full list of show, Click the hyperlinks.

7. Lavaliers Berry Patch

Although Lavaliers doesn’t have any apples this fall, visit Saturdays and Sundays September 15th- October 24th to get pumpkins, squash, brussels sprouts, honey and sunflowers. Hours at 9am-2pm. Stop by to get get the perfect sunflower photos!

8. Fall ATV Ride

The Itasca County area offers thousands of acres of federal, state, county and industrial forest land that are open to off-highway vehicle riding, and several designated trails. Forest or logging roads are an excellent choice for ATV/OHV use as well. In Itasca County, there are over 200 miles of ATV trails to ride. To see the different trails to ride and learn more, click HERE.

9.Farmers’ Market

The Farmers’ Market is open until the end of October. Stop by Wednesday’s and Saturday’s from 9am-1pm. They now have online ordering and pick-up!

10. Fall Events Happening!

Fall is a great time to get out and explore beautiful Northern Minnesota. To see events happening, go to our calendar page. Some fun events coming up include Klockotober Fest, Fall Phenology at Forest History Center and First Friday Art Walk.

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, see our lodging page for a list of Hotels, Motels, Vacation Rentals, Airbnb’s and Resorts.

To receive a physical Visitor Guide or see a interactive version, click HERE.

2021 Grouse Season in Grand Rapids, MN: Looking Good

It’s shaping up to be a beautiful grouse season in Northern Minnesota! Unofficial reports and personal observations from foresters, dog handlers, observant residents, and those scouting for grouse are sounding good. These observations include large broods (adult hen and juveniles) from Aitkin to the Canadian border. Consistent with the last few years the distribution of these birds is patchy with pockets of good numbers. To be successful, plan on being mobile if the area you normally hunt or have scouted does not produce good numbers. Try moving 10-20 miles in a different direction and pick a couple good covers to test. With the incredible abundance of public land and publicly accessible land around Grand Rapids, Minnesota you should be able to quickly find another spot with a mapping app that has both satellite imagery and ownership layers (e.g. OnX). This bit of technology has made scouting new areas much easier and will give you a lot of confidence in exploring the seemingly endless land access opportunities in the greater Itasca County area.

Pack Water

If you plan to hunt with a dog, bring extra water bottles this year. This summer was hot and dry in the Northwoods and much of the low laying areas, ditches, small creeks, bogs, and even beaver ponds have dried up or are extremely low. Much of those traditional watering holes for dogs are dry to stagnant. Surface water conditions should improve as the trees lose their leaves and evapotranspiration (evaporation plus transpiration from leaves) declines in to fall. With hopes for a little bit of precipitation, it is anticipated that some of the low areas will begin to hold water again and moist soils will support migrating woodcock as they fly through and forage for invertebrates in flight covers in October.

Dog Friendly Place to Stay

Grand Rapids remains an excellent hub for grouse hunters in Northern Minnesota. The town has a culture built around outdoor recreation and is welcoming of hunters and anglers from across the United States and beyond. Many of the town’s hotels are pet friendly and are accustomed to lodging hunting dogs in fall. You can find yourself in good hunting cover within 10 minutes of town in the morning and return later that evening to plenty of places to eat and enjoy a drink to celebrate your time in the woods. With two local breweries and many local eateries the town provides comfortable accommodations for a wide range of tastes.

Blog By: Meadow Kouffeld

Woods and Meadow LLC.

For more information on hunting walking trails, shooting hours, limits and how to be apart of the spruce grouse genetics study, go to https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/grouse/index.html.

Last Minute Labor Day Trip Ideas

Welcome to Grand Rapids! This Labor Day weekend there is so much to do and explore. Here are a few ideas to make for a fun 3 day weekend!

Things To Do

1. Forest History Center

Join meteorologist and astronomer Mike Lynch to view the wonders of the night sky such as planets, stars, nebulae and more. Lynch will have his large reflecting telescopes set up for viewing, including two giant 20-inch reflector telescopes that are among the largest mobile telescopes in Minnesota. Learn about celestial photography, as Lynch takes amazing photos that will be made available to participants at no additional charge. This event will take place September 4th from 8:30-11:00. In addition to regulars hours, they will be open Monday from 10am-4pm. For more information click HERE.

2. Bovey Farm Days

Bovey Farm Days was established in 1912. Enjoy a variety of events happening this weekend.

3. Spend Time On The Lake

There is nothing better than a cruise on the lake or a day of fishing. As summertime comes to a close, relax with an extra day on one of the many many lakes in the greater Grand Rapids area.

4. Hike Great Trails and Explore State Parks

Hike over 1.6 million acres of the Chippewa National Forest. If that wasn’t enough ground to cover, check out Hill Annex Mine State Park, Scenic State Park and Schoolcraft State Park!

5. Live Music Downtown!

All weekend you can hear music downtown! Rapids Brewing Company, Klockow Brewing Company and UnWined Up North all have music. Also, you can Sam and Matthew Miltich, Nathan Norman, and Briand Morrison performing from 6 – 8 at Old Central School for First Friday! Also, see Michael Smith at Hotel Rapids.

6. Mountain Bike at Tioga Recreation

Looking for an adventurous way to spend the extended weekend? Check out Tioga Recreation. Ride 25 miles of easy to hard curves, loops, and hills. These world class trails make for the perfect biking adventure. Hop in the crystal blue mine pit after a ride.

7. 27th Annual Wissota Classic at the Speedway

Have a fun date night or family night at the Grand Rapids Speedway for their annual Wissota Classic. For more information on the races, click HERE.

Lodging Options

The greater Grand Rapids area offers a variety of lodging options. Choose from a Hotel, Motel, Airbnb, Resort, Vacation Rental and a Bed and Breakfast. To see a full list of properties, click HERE.

Next Weekend in Grand Rapids

Already have plans for Labor Day Weekend and still want to Visit Grand Rapids? Next weekend September 10th-11th is Grand Rapids Riverfest! See Headliners Trampled by Turtles and Yonder Mountain String Band. Get your tickets today!

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