- Grand Rapids Marine Center: Grand Rapids Marine is your boating headquarters for Northern Minnesota. (P): (218) 326-0351 (Website): www.grandrapidsmarine.com
- R&R Rental: R & R Rental is your LOCAL source for rentals for all your outdoor activities in Northern Minnesota. Whether a summer day on the lakes or a winter week in the snow, we’ve got you covered. (P): 218-999-7368 (Website): https://www.rrrental.com/
FISHING
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1,000+ LAKES PRIME FOR FISHING
The Grand Rapids, MN area is home to more than 1,000 lakes prime for fishing. A fishing mecca for anglers in search of walleye, bass, crappies, northerns, musky, trout, panfish, perch and more. The Itasca area lakes have proven themselves by hosting a variety of amateur and professional fishing tournaments throughout the years. Check out our list at the bottom of the page for which lakes have the best bass and walleye fishing, including DNR reports and public access information.
The mighty Mississippi River runs right through our city, as well as a number of smaller rivers and tributaries located in the area. If you want to casually fish overhead off of a bridge or go by boat, the river is the perfect place to target those walleye, bass, bluegill, crappie or muskie.
Read the weekly fishing report provided by Tom Neustrom, professional fishing guide and owner of MN Fishing Connections Guide Service.
Tom Neustrom, Minnesota Fishing Connections | Phone: 218-327-2312 | Email: tom@mnfishingconnections.com | Website: http://www.mnfishingconnections.com
Fishing Report 6-24-2025
The fishing of late has been up and down over this last week due to the unsettled weather. With the extreme heat at times fueled by powerful storm fronts it’s a wonder that several species of fish haven’t vanished. They still have to eat and those are the times they can be very active, before and after the barometric changes that occur with storm fronts. The depths that you are fishing can change quickly, but don’t abandon locations you were successful prior to changes in the weather. Baits can differ for walleyes as we get into the summer season and there can be as many as 3 different bug hatches that can effect the walleye locations and their preference for a meal. The toughest one to coordinate a consistent bite is the dreaded Mayfly, but we have found ways to combat that at times.
Several of the guides have using spinner rigs in shallow water to trigger and entice walleyes to bite. Targeting weed beds, especially cabbage, can be a deadly combination in the summer. Most of us prefer when the water has a bit of color to it as not to spook them. With weed growth coming on, the water clarity has a tendency to slightly green up making the shallows much more attractive to fish. There is plenty of food and fishing shallow water whether trolling or casting jigs with a half a crawler, minnow or plastic can be much more rewarding. For many years very talented anglers such as Al Lindner has been preaching the shallow walleye bite is “a real deal”. Slip bobber fishing for walleyes has really taken off from years past and like other presentations has been modified and improved. Its not just a throw the bobber and leech out, open a can of pop or beer, and wait for the bobber to go down. There is style and methodology to properly being successful. Location, proper depth just above the fish is many times the key to getting bit. This past couple years I have seen anglers with a half of a crawler not just a leech have good success slip bobber fishing. A plain red hook with a bead or a small jig(1/24th to 1/32nd ) are perfect when choosing a component for a slip bobber rig. With the use of good electronics and proper positioning of the boat, it can be a deadly presentation. Big Winnie, Trout Lake in Coleraine, Pokegama Lake, Jessie Lake, and Bowstring have been consistently producing walleyes .
Panfish have been very active and the bite has been very good. Crappie and bluegill fishing has been excellent and they are off the beds. They for the most part have dropped to summer locations in 10 to 16 feet. New emerging weed beds are finally here and these will be locations to target in area lakes. One thing about Itasca County we have countless lakes that produce quality pan fish. There isn’t an area of Minnesota that has the quality of fishing that Itasca County and the Grand Rapids Area has. There is over 500 lakes in the Itasca County Area and Grand Rapids that has quality pan fishing.
Coming to Grand Rapids is not just an opportunity to fish but to enjoy the surroundings and the many things there are to enhance your trip. We are a target destination for travelers and everyone visiting a special place.
Fishing information
BOAT RENTAL
GUIDED FISHING
MN Fishing Connections
Contact: Tom Neustrom
Phone: 218-259-2628
Email: tom@mnfishingconnections.comWalleye, Smallmouth & Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Crappie, Perch, Musky
Lake Pokegama, Trout Lake, Lake Winnibigoshish, Sand Lake, Bowstring Lake, Leech Lake, Cass Lake and more Grand Rapids area lake.
Northern Drift Outfitters
Contact: Jeff Johnson
Phone: 218-259-8893
Email: northerndriftoutfitters@gmail.comJeff specializes in fully guided fishing trips for walleye on many lakes located in the northern half of Minnesota. These lakes include Leech Lake, Lake Winnie, Red Lake, Cass Lake, Lake Bemidji, Bowstring Lake, Sand Lake, Pokegama Lake, Trout Lake, and many more. He is prepared to also put clients on northern pike, crappies, bluegills, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. Northern Drift Outfitters is fully insured and offers some of the best equipment on the market today. Over the past few years Jeff has enjoyed getting kids involved in fishing. His background in teaching has gave him the patience needed for the young ones in the boat. Families have came to love a day in the boat where all you have to do is sit back, relax, and catch fish.No matter the experience or skill level, Jeff will put the effort in to make sure your day is one you will not forget!
Available for seminars, promotions, radio and television productions and outdoor writer interviews. Member of Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA).
Grand Rapids Guide Service
Lyle Unger
Address: 517 SE 2nd Ave, Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Minnesota Fishing Guides like Lyle Unger of Grand Rapids Guide Service offer full and half day guided fishing trips on the northcentral lakes and rivers of Minnesota. Experience the difference a knowledgeable, skilled and personable professional fishing guide makes when it comes to putting you on the walleye, northern pike, bass
Area lakes
BASS LAKE
Location: Cohasset, 5 miles west of Grand Rapids
Acres: 2,407
Max Depth: 76 feet
Clarity: 10.7 feetPredominant Fish Species: Northern Pike, Walleye, Sunfish, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass
Public Accesses: 2 concrete, 1 earthen
Unique Qualities: Bass Lake has two different basins connected by a two-mile-long channel of marsh. The lake is stocked with walleye and has been a good producer of walleyes and bluegills for anglers.Member Place to Stay on Bass Lake:
BOWSTRING LAKE
Location: 17 miles north of Deer River (29 miles west and north of Grand Rapids)
Acres: 9,220
Max Depth: 32 feet
Clarity: 6 feetPredominant Fish Species: Black Crappie, Walleye, Bullhead, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch
Public Accesses: 4 (3 concrete, 1 earthen)
Unique Qualities: Excellent natural fish reproduction, especially for walleye and crappie. Bowstring Lake is a good all-around fishing lake with sand bars and rock points that provide a good structure for fish. Bowstring Lake connects with Sand Lake, another popular fishing lake.
Interesting Fact or Legend about Bowstring Lake: Relatively shallow lakes, like Bowstring, heat and cool quickly so they are at the forefront of fishing peaks in the spring and fall.
Member Place to stay on Bowstring Lake:
Bowstring Shores Resort
CARIBOU LAKE
Location: 26 miles north of Grand Rapids near Marcell
Acres: 240
Max Depth: 152 feet
Clarity: 28 feetPredominant Fish Species: Lake Trout, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass
Public Accesses: 1 gravel
Unique Qualities: Dramatic shoreline elevations and excellent water clarity compliment the fishing experience. Caribou Lake is the clearest natural lake in Minnesota with a 28 foot water clarity.
Interesting Fact or Legend about Caribou Lake:
The largest Kokanee Salmon ever caught in Minnesota was taken from Caribou Lake in 1971. It weighed 2 pounds, 15 ounces and measured 20 inches long.Caribou Lake has been featured in National Geographic Magazine. Local legend claims there is a house in the bottom of Caribou Lake which broke through the ice during a winter house move across the lake.
Member Place to Stay on Caribou Lake:
Buckhorn Resort on Caribou
CUTFOOT SIOUX LAKE
Location: nearest town is Squaw Lake
Acres: 2,768
Max Depth: 78 feet
Clarity: 12 feetPredominant Fish Species: Walleye, Black Crappie, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Tullibee, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Bullhead
Public Accesses: 3 concrete, 1 earthen
Unique Qualities: Cutfoot Sioux Lake is a very popular walleye fishing lake and can be crowded during the fishing opener. Cutfoot is connected to Lake Winnie and provides anglers with the choice of staying on Cutfoot or venturing out onto Big Winnie. The lake is stocked with walleye on a regular basis.
Interesting Fact or Legend about Cutfoot Sioux Lake: Send us an interesting fact about Cutfoot Sioux Lake and we will post it here.
DEER LAKE
Location: Deer River, northwest of Grand Rapids
Acres: 4,097
Max Depth: 121 feet
Clarity: 11 feetPredominant Fish Species: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Sunfish, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and some Muskellunge
Public Accesses: 1 concrete
Unique Qualities: Deer Lake is moderately developed with family homes, cabins, and some smaller family resorts. The lake supports diverse fish species and is actively managed for walleye, musky and smallmouth bass.
Interesting Fact or Legend about Deer Lake: Deer Lake is sometimes referred to as the Lake of Changing Colors.
JESSE LAKE
Location:
Talmoon, 32 miles northwest of Grand Rapids Acres: 1,753
Max Depth: 42 feet
Clarity: 8 feetPredominant Fish Species: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike
Public Accesses: 1 concrete
Unique Qualities: Jessie Lake is actively managed for walleyes and was aggressively stocked in 2002 and 2003. The relatively shallow depth of Jessie Lake allows for heating and cooling of the lake water slightly ahead of traditional lake trends in northern Minnesota.
Member Place to Stay on Jessie Lake:
Jessie View Resort
Rising Eagle Resort
Loons Landing
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Information: Unique qualities: Be aware of the locations of dams along the Mississippi River and how they will impact your ability to navigate upstream or downstream. Fishing between the Blandin Paper Mill Dam and the Pokegama Dam is popular during the summer months. The river has bays which hold bass and panfish, and has several bridges that provide opportunities to fish underneath from shore.
Interesting Fact or Legend about the Mississippi River: The Mississippi River landing in Grand Rapids was the furthermost stopping point for the early steamships on the river. At Grand Rapids the river became too shallow for the ships to continue northward and thus Grand Rapids became the entertainment, trading, and merchant shopping hub to the northern region.
MOOSE LAKE
Location: Deer River, northwest of Grand Rapids
Acres: 1274
Max Depth: 61 feet
Clarity: 7.5 feetPredominant Fish Species: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Sunfish, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, Smallmouth Bass, and some Muskellunge
Public Accesses: 1 concrete
Interesting Fact or Legend about Moose Lake: If you know an interesting fact or legend about Moose Lake please send us an email and we will post it here!
Member Places to Stay on Moose Lake:
Moose Lake Resort
POKEGAMA LAKE
Location: Grand Rapids
Acres: 6,612
Max Depth: 112 feet
Clarity: 18.5 feetPredominant Fish Species: Bluegill, Northern Pike, Rockbass, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Crappie
Public Accesses: 7 (5 concrete, 2 earthen)
Unique Qualities: Pokegama Lake is a 6612 acre recreational lake that provides access by water to Jay Gould Lake and the Mississippi River. The natural topography of Pokegama Lake provides the varied natural structure which sustains good quality and quantities of all game fish species. The lake has hosted a number of fishing tournaments over the years including bass, perch, and walleye tournaments.
Interesting Fact or Legend about Pokegama Lake: The name Pokegama is a Native American word meaning many fingers or many bays.
Member Places to Stay on Pokegama Lake:
Pokegama lake Resort
Green Heron B&B
PRARIE LAKE
Location: 5 miles north of Grand Rapids off Highway 38 – The Edge of the Wilderness National Scenic Byway.
Acres: 1064
Max Depth: 31 feet
Clarity: 6.5 feetPredominant Fish Species: Black crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, and Walleye
Public Accesses: 2 concrete
Unique Qualities: Prairie Lake has a unique outcropping of rocks on its southern edge that forms the Prairie Lake Gorge. This scenic spot is a popular photography location that can also be accessed via a short hike from Gunn Park along the Itasca Bike Trail. The location is not signed so listen for clues along the bike trail to know where to find the lake and its’ gorge.
SPIDER LAKE
Location: 8 miles SW of Marcell, 32 miles north of Grand Rapids
Acres: 1,349
Max Depth: 36 feet
Clarity: 12.5 feetPredominant Fish Species: Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Walleye, Largemouth Bass
Public Accesses: 1 concrete
Unique Qualities: Spider Lake supports diverse fish species and is managed for walleye production.
SPLITHAND
Location: Grand Rapids
Acres: 1,420
Max Depth: 34 feet
Clarity: 8.5 feetPredominant Fish Species: Yellow Perch, Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Black Crappie, Sunfish
Public Accesses: 1 concrete
Unique Qualities: Splithand Lake is a residential lake with no commercial resort properties remaining on the lake. Its relatively shallow depth allow for heating and cooling water temperatures ahead of normal trends.
Interesting Fact or Legend about Splithand Lake: If you know an interesting fact or legend about Splithand Lake please send us an email and we will post it here!
SUGAR LAKE
Location: 14 miles southwest of Grand Rapids
Acres: 1306
Max Depth: 105 feet
Clarity: 26 feetPredominant Fish Species: Yellow Perch, Walleye, Rock Bass, Northern Pike, and Bluegill.
Public Accesses: 1 concrete
Unique Qualities: Sugar Lake is managed for walleye and northern pike production. Locals recommend fishing the lake in the evening or on cloudy days because of the crystal clear water.Interesting Fact or Legend about Sugar Lake: A unique sand composition in the bottom of Sugar Lake along with exceptionally clear water creates an aquamarine color reflection. Sugar Lake Lodge was the host location of the 1999 Governor’s Fishing Opener with Jessie Ventura.
Member place to stay on Sugar Lake:
Sugar Lake Lodge
TURTLE LAKE
Location:
Marcell, 35 miles north of Grand Rapids Acres: 2,052
Max Depth: 137 feet
Clarity: 12 feetPredominant Fish Species: Bluegill, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Tullibee (cisco), Yellow Perch
DNR Stocking/Lake Report (link to: https://www.dnr.state.mn.
us/lakefind/showreport.html? downum=31072500) Public Accesses: 1 concrete
Unique Qualities: Turtle Lake is an aesthetically beautiful lake with clear, deep water. Its reputation for large smallmouth bass and a diverse fish species make it a popular fishing destination for recreational anglers. If you are lodging in Grand Rapids and plan to fish on Turtle Lake, Frontier Sports in Marcell is a good place to stop for fishing bait and last-minute supplies.
Interesting Fact or Legend about Turtle Lake: Do you know of a legend or fact about Turtle Lake? Please send us an email?
WASSON LAKE
Location: Near Bigfork, 35 miles northeast of Grand Rapids
Acres: 450
Max Depth: 67 feet
Clarity: 14 feetPredominant Fish Species: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Northern Pike, Black Crappie
DNR Stocking/Lake Report (link to: https://www.dnr.state.mn.
us/lakefind/showreport.html? downum=31028100) Public Accesses: none
Unique Qualities: Wasson Lake is a 450 acre, spring fed lake similar in appearance to a Canadian lakescape. With only one family resort, no public access and the lack of development around the lake, the lake provides a quiet experience ideal for fishing, canoeing, kayaking and wildlife viewing. The provides excellent fishing for large and smallmouth bass, northern pike, crappies and bluegills.
Member Place to Stay on Wasson Lake:
Loon Point Resort
LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH
Location:
North of Deer River Acres: 58,544
Max Depth: 70 feet
Clarity: not recordedPredominant Fish Species: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Crappie, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, and Tullibee (Cisco)
Public Accesses: 7 concreteDNR Stocking/Lake Report (link to: https://www.dnr.state.mn.
us/lakefind/showreport.html? downum=11014700) Unique Qualities: Lake Winnie is a large lake that is popular with walleye anglers during open water season, and perch anglers during the ice fishing season. The lake is widely regarded as one of the top walleye fisheries in Minnesota. Much of the land around Lake Winnie is federal forestland and part of the Chippewa National Forest. Lake Winnibigoshish is actively managed for walleye production.
Interesting Fact about Lake Winnie: The state record Musky (muskellunge) was caught in Lake Winnie in 1957. It weighed 54 pounds and measured 56 inches long.
WABANA
Location: 12 mi N of Grand Rapids on Mn Hwy 38, then 1.5 mi E on Cnty Rd 60, then 4.5 mi N on Cnty Rd 335 to W shore.
Acres: 2,221.18
Max Depth: 115 feet
Clarity: 18.8 feetPredominant Fish Species: black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass, tullibee (cisco), walleye, yellow bullhead, yellow perch, white sucker, banded killifish, blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, bluntnose minnow, brook stickleback, central mudminnow, common shiner, golden shiner, Iowa darter, Johnny darter, least darter, mimic shiner, mottled sculpin, pugnose shiner, spottail shiner, tadpole madtom
Public Accesses: 2 ramp (type=concrete slab)
Interesting Fact or Legend about Wabana Lake: Wabana Chain of Lakes which includes Trout Lake, Bluewater Lake, and Little Trout Lake. The lakes were formed from ice-block pits left behind by glaciers.
Member Place to stay on Wabana Lake:
Birch Bay Resort
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GRAND RAPIDS, MINNESOTA
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BASS LAKE
Location: Cohasset, 5 miles west of Grand Rapids
Acres: 2,407
Max Depth: 76 feet
Clarity: 10.7 feet
Predominant Fish Species: Northern Pike, Walleye, Sunfish, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass
Public Accesses: 2 concrete, 1 earthen
Unique Qualities: Bass Lake has two different basins connected by a two-mile-long channel of marsh. The lake is stocked with walleye and has been a good producer of walleyes and bluegills for anglers.
Member Place to Stay on Bass Lake:
BOWSTRING LAKE
Location: 17 miles north of Deer River (29 miles west and north of Grand Rapids)
Acres: 9,220
Max Depth: 32 feet
Clarity: 6 feet
Predominant Fish Species: Black Crappie, Walleye, Bullhead, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch
Public Accesses: 4 (3 concrete, 1 earthen)
Unique Qualities: Excellent natural fish reproduction, especially for walleye and crappie. Bowstring Lake is a good all-around fishing lake with sand bars and rock points that provide a good structure for fish. Bowstring Lake connects with Sand Lake, another popular fishing lake.
Interesting Fact or Legend about Bowstring Lake: Relatively shallow lakes, like Bowstring, heat and cool quickly so they are at the forefront of fishing peaks in the spring and fall.
Member Place to stay on Bowstring Lake:
Bowstring Shores Resort
CARIBOU LAKE
Location: 26 miles north of Grand Rapids near Marcell
Acres: 240
Max Depth: 152 feet
Clarity: 28 feet
Predominant Fish Species: Lake Trout, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass
Public Accesses: 1 gravel
Unique Qualities: Dramatic shoreline elevations and excellent water clarity compliment the fishing experience. Caribou Lake is the clearest natural lake in Minnesota with a 28 foot water clarity.
Interesting Fact or Legend about Caribou Lake:
The largest Kokanee Salmon ever caught in Minnesota was taken from Caribou Lake in 1971. It weighed 2 pounds, 15 ounces and measured 20 inches long.
Caribou Lake has been featured in National Geographic Magazine. Local legend claims there is a house in the bottom of Caribou Lake which broke through the ice during a winter house move across the lake.
Member Place to Stay on Caribou Lake:
Buckhorn Resort on Caribou
CUTFOOT SIOUX LAKE
Location: nearest town is Squaw Lake
Acres: 2,768
Max Depth: 78 feet
Clarity: 12 feet
Predominant Fish Species: Walleye, Black Crappie, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Tullibee, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Bullhead
Public Accesses: 3 concrete, 1 earthen
Unique Qualities: Cutfoot Sioux Lake is a very popular walleye fishing lake and can be crowded during the fishing opener. Cutfoot is connected to Lake Winnie and provides anglers with the choice of staying on Cutfoot or venturing out onto Big Winnie. The lake is stocked with walleye on a regular basis.
Interesting Fact or Legend about Cutfoot Sioux Lake: Send us an interesting fact about Cutfoot Sioux Lake and we will post it here.
DEER LAKE
Location: Deer River, northwest of Grand Rapids
Acres: 4,097
Max Depth: 121 feet
Clarity: 11 feet
Predominant Fish Species: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Sunfish, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and some Muskellunge
Public Accesses: 1 concrete
Unique Qualities: Deer Lake is moderately developed with family homes, cabins, and some smaller family resorts. The lake supports diverse fish species and is actively managed for walleye, musky and smallmouth bass.
Interesting Fact or Legend about Deer Lake: Deer Lake is sometimes referred to as the Lake of Changing Colors.
JESSE LAKE
Location:
Acres: 1,753
Max Depth: 42 feet
Clarity: 8 feet
Predominant Fish Species: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike
Public Accesses: 1 concrete
Unique Qualities: Jessie Lake is actively managed for walleyes and was aggressively stocked in 2002 and 2003. The relatively shallow depth of Jessie Lake allows for heating and cooling of the lake water slightly ahead of traditional lake trends in northern Minnesota.
Member Place to Stay on Jessie Lake:
Jessie View Resort
Rising Eagle Resort
Loons Landing
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Information: Unique qualities: Be aware of the locations of dams along the Mississippi River and how they will impact your ability to navigate upstream or downstream. Fishing between the Blandin Paper Mill Dam and the Pokegama Dam is popular during the summer months. The river has bays which hold bass and panfish, and has several bridges that provide opportunities to fish underneath from shore.
Interesting Fact or Legend about the Mississippi River: The Mississippi River landing in Grand Rapids was the furthermost stopping point for the early steamships on the river. At Grand Rapids the river became too shallow for the ships to continue northward and thus Grand Rapids became the entertainment, trading, and merchant shopping hub to the northern region.
MOOSE LAKE
Location: Deer River, northwest of Grand Rapids
Acres: 1274
Max Depth: 61 feet
Clarity: 7.5 feet
Predominant Fish Species: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Sunfish, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, Smallmouth Bass, and some Muskellunge
Public Accesses: 1 concrete
Interesting Fact or Legend about Moose Lake: If you know an interesting fact or legend about Moose Lake please send us an email and we will post it here!
Member Places to Stay on Moose Lake:
Moose Lake Resort
POKEGAMA LAKE
Location: Grand Rapids
Acres: 6,612
Max Depth: 112 feet
Clarity: 18.5 feet
Predominant Fish Species: Bluegill, Northern Pike, Rockbass, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Crappie
Public Accesses: 7 (5 concrete, 2 earthen)
Unique Qualities: Pokegama Lake is a 6612 acre recreational lake that provides access by water to Jay Gould Lake and the Mississippi River. The natural topography of Pokegama Lake provides the varied natural structure which sustains good quality and quantities of all game fish species. The lake has hosted a number of fishing tournaments over the years including bass, perch, and walleye tournaments.
Interesting Fact or Legend about Pokegama Lake: The name Pokegama is a Native American word meaning many fingers or many bays.
Member Places to Stay on Pokegama Lake:
Pokegama lake Resort
Green Heron B&B
PRARIE LAKE
Location: 5 miles north of Grand Rapids off Highway 38 – The Edge of the Wilderness National Scenic Byway.
Acres: 1064
Max Depth: 31 feet
Clarity: 6.5 feet
Predominant Fish Species: Black crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, and Walleye
Public Accesses: 2 concrete
Unique Qualities: Prairie Lake has a unique outcropping of rocks on its southern edge that forms the Prairie Lake Gorge. This scenic spot is a popular photography location that can also be accessed via a short hike from Gunn Park along the Itasca Bike Trail. The location is not signed so listen for clues along the bike trail to know where to find the lake and its’ gorge.
SPIDER LAKE
Location: 8 miles SW of Marcell, 32 miles north of Grand Rapids
Acres: 1,349
Max Depth: 36 feet
Clarity: 12.5 feet
Predominant Fish Species: Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Walleye, Largemouth Bass
Public Accesses: 1 concrete
Unique Qualities: Spider Lake supports diverse fish species and is managed for walleye production.
SPLITHAND
Location: Grand Rapids
Acres: 1,420
Max Depth: 34 feet
Clarity: 8.5 feet
Predominant Fish Species: Yellow Perch, Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Black Crappie, Sunfish
Public Accesses: 1 concrete
Unique Qualities: Splithand Lake is a residential lake with no commercial resort properties remaining on the lake. Its relatively shallow depth allow for heating and cooling water temperatures ahead of normal trends.
Interesting Fact or Legend about Splithand Lake: If you know an interesting fact or legend about Splithand Lake please send us an email and we will post it here!
SUGAR LAKE
Location: 14 miles southwest of Grand Rapids
Acres: 1306
Max Depth: 105 feet
Clarity: 26 feet
Predominant Fish Species: Yellow Perch, Walleye, Rock Bass, Northern Pike, and Bluegill.
Public Accesses: 1 concrete
Unique Qualities: Sugar Lake is managed for walleye and northern pike production. Locals recommend fishing the lake in the evening or on cloudy days because of the crystal clear water.
Interesting Fact or Legend about Sugar Lake: A unique sand composition in the bottom of Sugar Lake along with exceptionally clear water creates an aquamarine color reflection. Sugar Lake Lodge was the host location of the 1999 Governor’s Fishing Opener with Jessie Ventura.
Member place to stay on Sugar Lake:
Sugar Lake Lodge
TURTLE LAKE
Location:
Acres: 2,052
Max Depth: 137 feet
Clarity: 12 feet
Predominant Fish Species: Bluegill, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Tullibee (cisco), Yellow Perch
DNR Stocking/Lake Report (link to: https://www.dnr.state.mn.
Public Accesses: 1 concrete
Unique Qualities: Turtle Lake is an aesthetically beautiful lake with clear, deep water. Its reputation for large smallmouth bass and a diverse fish species make it a popular fishing destination for recreational anglers. If you are lodging in Grand Rapids and plan to fish on Turtle Lake, Frontier Sports in Marcell is a good place to stop for fishing bait and last-minute supplies.
Interesting Fact or Legend about Turtle Lake: Do you know of a legend or fact about Turtle Lake? Please send us an email?
WASSON LAKE
Location: Near Bigfork, 35 miles northeast of Grand Rapids
Acres: 450
Max Depth: 67 feet
Clarity: 14 feet
Predominant Fish Species: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Northern Pike, Black Crappie
DNR Stocking/Lake Report (link to: https://www.dnr.state.mn.
Public Accesses: none
Unique Qualities: Wasson Lake is a 450 acre, spring fed lake similar in appearance to a Canadian lakescape. With only one family resort, no public access and the lack of development around the lake, the lake provides a quiet experience ideal for fishing, canoeing, kayaking and wildlife viewing. The provides excellent fishing for large and smallmouth bass, northern pike, crappies and bluegills.
Member Place to Stay on Wasson Lake:
Loon Point Resort
WINNIBIGOSHISH
Location:
Acres: 58,544
Max Depth: 70 feet
Clarity: not recorded
Predominant Fish Species: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Crappie, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, and Tullibee (Cisco)
Public Accesses: 7 concrete
DNR Stocking/Lake Report (link to: https://www.dnr.state.mn.
Unique Qualities: Lake Winnie is a large lake that is popular with walleye anglers during open water season, and perch anglers during the ice fishing season. The lake is widely regarded as one of the top walleye fisheries in Minnesota. Much of the land around Lake Winnie is federal forestland and part of the Chippewa National Forest. Lake Winnibigoshish is actively managed for walleye production.
Interesting Fact about Lake Winnie: The state record Musky (muskellunge) was caught in Lake Winnie in 1957. It weighed 54 pounds and measured 56 inches long.
WABANA
Location: Near Grand Rapids
Acres: 2221.18
Max Depth: 115 feet
Clarity: 18.8 feet
Predominant Fish Species: black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass, tullibee (cisco), walleye, yellow bullhead, yellow perch, white sucker, banded killifish, blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, bluntnose minnow, brook stickleback, central mudminnow, common shiner, golden shiner, Iowa darter, Johnny darter, least darter, mimic shiner, mottled sculpin, pugnose shiner, spottail shiner, tadpole madtom
DNR Stocking/Lake Report (link to: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/showstocking.html?downum=31039200&context=desktop )
Public Accesses: Yes
Member Place to Stay on Wabana Lake:
Birch Bay Resort
