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Fishing Report & Trail Conditions

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    FISHING REPORT

    grand rapids ice fishing report

    Weekly Ice Fishing Reports Brought to you by: Sam Westensee

    3-10-2026

    We still have plenty of ice around the Grand Rapids area, and most lake accesses are holding up fairly well. Truck travel is still possible on many lakes, though there’s quite a bit of water sitting on top of the ice. Fishing pressure has been fairly light lately, but anglers who are getting out are still finding some success.

    Bluegills have pushed shallow in many areas and are being sight-fished in water as shallow as five feet. Target weed beds near traditional spawning areas and you should be able to locate fish. Crappies, on the other hand, are still holding deeper and have been a bit tougher for many anglers to get going.

    Pout fishing has also been solid. Fish are being caught both during the day and after dark. Look for the steepest breakline you can find and fish it with a heavier jig tipped with fatheads.

    Rainbow trout action continues to be excellent on stocked lakes in the area. The best bite has been in shallow water from sunrise through mid-morning. Wax worms and euro larvae have both been producing well. The most consistent lakes lately have been Taylor and Kremer.

    Photo: Reid Johnson, Eelpout

    More Fishing Resources
    More About our Lakes and Beaches

    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 Safety
    MN DNR Ice Safety
    More Ice Fishing Resources

    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...

    SUBMIT TRAIL CONDITIONS

    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...

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    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...

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    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...

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    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...

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    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...

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    Buschwacker’s Trail Report

    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...

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    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. This year’s cross country ski season is going very well! While there isn’t a lot of snow, the groomers have done a great job with what Mother Nature has given them. We update these reports once a week – by Thursdays, just in time for the weekend. Come for cross country skiing, stay for the cozy lodging, new places to eat & drink, live theater performances, live music, art walk, seasonal events, cultural & historical experiences, and additional unique winter wonderland outdoor experiences.

    Itasca County Ski Trails Map
    Northern Lights Nordic Ski Membership
    MN Ski Pass
    More Information About Cross Country Skiing

    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)

    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. Enjoy winter fat tire biking at its best through the winter wonderland of a forest that wraps around Tioga Pit Lake. This very scenic area presents beginner to intermediate level trails to ride in the winter.

    SUBMIT TRAIL CONDITIONS

    Tioga

    3-24-2026 Hi All, I spent three and a half hours on the trails today. The trails are soft in a lot of parts and snow and ice still cover a major portion of each trail. PLEASE stay off them. A couple people have been out and caused damage to them that will need a few...

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    TIOGA | 03/02/2026

    Club Name: GRIMBA Trail Name: TIOGA Date of Report: 03/02/2026 Trail Conditions & Grooming Report: Ahh. Spring is in the air. For the next week, the temps will be way above freezing, so please stay off the trails during these times. Early mornings and midnight rides may not harm them. Studded tires will likely be...

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    Tioga | 02/26/2026

    Club Name: GRIMBA Trail Name: Tioga Date of Report: 02/26/2026 Trail Conditions & Grooming Report: Grooming happened again this evening. With tomorrow’s warm weather we are asking you to a stay off the trails. Today’s visitors were hard on the trails as tire pressures were not low enough. Also had one rider when temp was...

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    Tioga | 02/25/2026

    Club Name: GRIMBA Trail Name: Tioga Date of Report: 02/25/2026 Trail Conditions & Grooming Report: In the last two days, all the normal trails have been groomed and have set up well. Riding should be great! If it warms up as the forecast states, please find something else to do. Thank...

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    TIOGA | 02/21/2026

    Club Name: GRIMBA Trail Name: TIOGA Date of Report: 02/21/2026 Trail Conditions & Grooming Report: Trails and haul roads received some trail love this evening. Check them...

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    TIOGA | 02/11/2026

    Club Name: GRIMBA Trail Name: TIOGA Date of Report: 02/11/2026 Trail Conditions & Grooming Report: As the weather warms and the wonderful sun shines on us, we request you stay off the fat tire trails. Even though the forecast calls for a high of about 28 degrees, the sun will make the trails vulnerable, and...

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    TIOGA | 02/08/2026

    Club Name: GRIMBA Trail Name: TIOGA Date of Report: 02/08/2026 Trail Conditions & Grooming Report: I believe the trails are in great shape at this point. Please refrain from being on them tomorrow as it is supposed to warm to 30+ by 9:00, then the forecast calls for rain. Tuesday should be better. As usual,...

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    Tioga | 01/30/2026

    Club Name: GRIMBA Trail Name: Tioga Date of Report: 01/30/2026 Trail Conditions & Grooming Report: All trails at Tioga Recreation were groomed last night. Please be mindful of your tire pressures. Check your back trail. If you are leaving ruts or spinning going up hills, please let out some more air. Thank...

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    Tioga | 01/26/2026

    Club Name: GRIMBA Trail Name: Tioga Date of Report: 01/26/2026 Trail Conditions & Grooming Report: Trails groomed today are as follows: Gurley Flynn, first half of Ruby Slipper, Iron Powers Run, Greenway Rough Rider, Iron Lady, Thrillseeker, Tioga Party, Flying Carpe', Veda's Free Press, Gears Knob. Also groomed most of the haul...

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    Tioga Recreation | 01/17/2026

    Club Name: GRIMBA Trail Name: Tioga Recreation Date of Report: 01/17/2026 Trail Conditions & Grooming Report: With what little snow we had in the last few days, I decided to groom tonight. All trails with the exception of Good Vibrations, No Place and Seven iron Men were groomed. Most haul roads were also groomed. There...

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    Snowmobile rentals...

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

    CROSS COUNTRY SKI, BIKE, & SNOWSHOE RENTALS

    This weekly cross country ski report is brought to you by: Northern Lights Nordic Ski Association Trail Report. Remember to purchase your MN Ski Trail Pass. You must have to ski on these trails. Please support the Itasca cross-country ski trails by considering being a member of the Northern Lights Nordic Ski Club

    2-7-24: with the warm weather and rain, the cross country ski trails have little snow and lots of ice. There is still snow at Mt Itasca cross country ski trails, however, continued rain and warm temperatures the snow will turn to ice, so use caution when on the trails.

    ATV/OHV Trails

    Typical 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 and B&B Connection, Balsam, Little Moose, UPM Blandi

    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.