Visit Grand Rapids Ice Out Report – Grand Rapids, Minnesota has OPEN WATER lakes. While not every lake is open, a lot of them are, and by next week (cross fingers) the rest will be open. 

Fishing Report by: Bryce Busching

Crappies can be found early spring just after ice out (when the water temperature is in the high 30s to low 40s) in deeper water between their wintering locations and their spawning grounds. Electronics can be key to locating these schools of crappies before they begin to move shallow. As the water starts to heat up in the mid to high 40s, crappies tend to push shallow (5ft – 10ft) during warm sunny days and then go out deeper (10ft – 25ft) on cool cloudy days. Good locations to target crappies during this time are inside corners with weeds near a spawning bay. Once water temps reach 50 degrees, crappies really start to go shallow into there spawning areas typically in weedy bays less than 6ft of water. Throughout the entirety of the spring a bobber and a minnow or plastic can be used to get crappies to bite to good success. Casting light hair jigs can also be successful when casting around weeds.

Places To Stay – There are many places to stay in the greater Grand Rapids, Minnesota area. Visit Grand Rapids represents 34 lodging properties in greater Grand Rapids, Minnesota that offer a diverse range of lodging amenities – so there is something for everyone. You will find in town Hotels and Motels that are conveniently located by in town trails, have offer a wide selection of on-site amenities, near shopping and places to eat & drink, and offer traditional individual overnight room type of lodging. Then there are Minnesota Resorts that are located on beautiful area lakes. These resorts offer a wide variety of on-site amenities with cabin and lodge style type of lodging. There are Bed and Breakfasts (two) within Grand Rapids that are historic and charming, and offer breakfast daily, and are located conveniently near trails and lakes. And then there are Vacation Rentals and Air BnB’s. The Vacation Rentals are all located on beautiful area lakes, and the AirBnB’s are located in town. Close to trails and lakes, offer more than one room lodging – entire apartment or entire rental home or cabin with multiple sleeping options. Visit Places To Stay in Grand Rapids for more information.

Fishing Resources – Before you head out remember that your Minnesota Fishing License is up to date. And make sure that you are abiding by the Minnesota Fishing Regulations that explains what you can fish for when, and explains fishing guidelines for Minnesota waters. And if you are going to be fishing from a boat in early season, WEAR A LIFE JACKET. The MN DNR has a great resource about Minnesota Boat and Water Safety.