Fishing Report & Trail Conditions

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FISHING REPORT

Weekly Fishing Report by: Tom Neustrom

5-7-2026

The excitement for the 2026 fishing opener is building. The water is cold, and the fish haven’t been moving around much since spawn. Fish early and late in the day, and in the shallows. As the sun comes up move out to 12-15 ft of water. There are no weed beds yet because ice just went off of many lakes in the Itasca County area. Pay attention to where a little bit of flow from a creek or river flowing into the lake. Most often that will give a little bit of warmer water that feeds into the larger bodies of water. Make sure you target those areas. The most consistent presentation is a jig and a minnow.

There are some plastics that will work fairly well, but usually those are a better choice once the water warms up. Right now you have to pay attention to where the wind has been blowing in the past few days; it has had a lot more NW effect. Pay attention to the north and west side of good walleye lakes in the Grand Rapids are that might be the answer to catching a few fish. For my choice, I will pick a darker water lake during the conditions that have prevailed. They will warm up quicker by sometimes 4-6 degrees and better opportunity to catch walleyes.

Some good walleye lakes in the Itasca County area to consider in early fishing season are: Splithand, Bowstring, Jessie and Sugar.

Good luck and most of all stay warm and safe! Here is to good fishing will be had the rest of the 2026 season.

Photo: Tom Neustrom, professional fishing guide and inductee of Minnesota Fishing and Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame (previous year walleye caught on opener)

Fishing Rentals & Guides

BOAT RENTAL

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/

GUIDED FISHING

MN Fishing Connections
Contact: Tom Neustrom
Phone: 218-259-2628
Email: tom@mnfishingconnections.com
Visit Our Site
Walleye, 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.com
Visit Our Site
Jeff 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
Phone: (218) 259-7140
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

Ice Fishing Guides

Grand Rapids Guide Service
Lyle Unger
218-259-7140

Northern Drift Outfitters
Jeff Johnson
218-259-0354

Wings and Walleyes
Reed Ylitalo
218-259-0354

Bros Guide Service
Brian Brosdahl
218-340-6051

Trail reports...

ATV/OHV Trails

Itasca County ATV Trails open dates for Itasca ATV Trails are May-October 31. Open dates in the Spring are as following, but keep in mind that wet conditions may change the opening dates:

April 1st – Alborn/Pengilly, Blue Ox, Thistledew

May 2nd – US Forest Service Alvwood/ Squaw Lake, Island Lake Connection

May 15th – Wilderness Wheelers trails open

Mountain Bike & Fat Tire Bike Trails Reports

We want to thank the Grand Rapids and Itasca Mountain Bike Association who keeps the mountain bike and fat tire bike trails well groomed and maintained. The volunteers have a wonderful passion for the sport which shows through their well groomed and maintained trails.

5-4-26 GRIMBA Report for Tioga Recreation Area

Due to the enormous amount of volunteers and hours they have put in fixing not only the normal winter to spring shifts and changes , but also fixing the damage that was created by riders and E-Motos during the thaw.

Tioga is OPEN!
There are still trails that are and WILL remain CLOSED for atleast another week or more. Trails that will remain closed are as follows;
Ironmaiden Hair
Minneflowta
Hockey Hair
Ruby Slipper
Greenway Rough Rider
Ghost Plane ( not half as bad as usual!! Will open soon!!)

There is still plenty of work to be done, so stay tuned for work days/nights.

Snowmobile Trail Reports

We want to thank the many Itasca County Snowmobile Club volunteers, and MN DNR and Itasca County staff for all their work to maintain and groom the 300 miles of trails.

Haypoint Jackpine Snowmobile Club

2-20-2026 We have been made aware of quite a few trees down on our trails. Use caution riding and if possible move them off to the side. We are getting to them as quick as we...

Bushwackers Snowmobile Club

2-20-2026 The trail is groomed from Deer River to the taconite trail and from Deer River to the Squaw Lake trail. The groomer had some mechanical issues on the way back from the Squaw lake trail where the trail crosses highway 46. It is still there but off the trail. Please be aware when traveling...

38er’s Snowmobile Club

2-20-2026 We groomed the Suomi yesterday & it came out great. Only a couple of sleds over it so the set up should have been really good. We’re grooming the Clearwater today…. Safe sledding...

Marcell Snowdrifters Snowmobile Club

2-18-2026 We have got some snow! Guys from the club are making a concentrated effort to get this all packed down and cleared as soon as possible. Mike, Dirk, Ed, and our friend Erick Lindbeck will all be out in our grooming trucks all through the day and I would imagine into the nighttime. Our...

Greenway Snowmobile Club

2-20-2026 The crews got out and got most of the trail system groomed this week. There is a chance the groomer will be going from Warba to Jacobson tomorrow, so if you’re out that way, be...

Buschwacker’s Trail Report

Itasca Cross Country Ski Trail Reports

We want to thank the Northern Lights Nordic Ski Association, Itasca County and the MN Department of Natural Resources for working together to keep the 198KM of cross country trails in Itasca County well groomed and maintained.

Mount Itasca– Updates will begin next winter.

Suomi Hills – Updates will begin next winter. (Dale Juntunen)

Minnesota Power Updates will begin next winter. (Erika Kuehn)

Alder Pond Updates will begin next winter. (Catherine McLynn)

Legion Park Trail Updates will begin next winter. (Jeff Pesta)

Stoney Ridge Updates will begin next winter. (Catherine McLynn)

Robin Baker Blueberry Hills Updates will begin next winter. (Jeff Pesta)

Sugar Hills Updates will begin next winter. (Chip Tabor)

Wabana Updates will begin next winter. (Jeff Pesta)

Cowhorn Updates will begin next winter. (Dave Kooda)

Portage Park Updates will begin next winter. (John Segari)

Trout Lake Updates will begin next winter. (Jonathon Rulseh)

Forest History Center Updates will begin next winter. (Bryan French)

Big Ridge Updates will begin next winter. (Kara Clifton

Golden Anniversary Updates will begin next winter. (Catherine McLynn)

Amen Lake Updates will begin next winter. (Randy Zupan)

Snowmobile rentals...

R&R Rental
Grand Rapids Location
20760 US-169
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 999-7368

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

If you are looking for paved bicycle trails, then the Mesabi Trail that runs from the Mississippi River to the Boundary Waters is for you. This trail is over 100 miles long. Most of the trail is interconnected by a well maintained paved trail. The trail starts at the Itasca Fairgrounds in Grand Rapids and runs to Ely, Minnesota. There are over 20 trailheads where you can access the Mesabi Trail, so if you want to ride just a portion of the trail you can do that. There is a Mesabi Trail Shuttle Service that is available in the event you want to travel through several communities and are interested in lodging options as well. Learn More HERE.

You may be surprised to learn just how many attractions Grand Rapids, MN has to offer. We are home to many talented artists that you can explore through live performances, art walks & galleries. You can also be a part of the history in Grand Rapids by stepping back in time at one of our many historical attractions. You are sure to find things for all ages in Grand Rapids!

Places to Stay

Hotels

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Things To Do

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Food & Drink

Explore the Outdoors

Fishing

Maps & More

ATV/OHV