Minnesota DNR Trail Reports
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ICE FISHING REPORT & TRAIL CONDITIONS
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ICE FISHING REPORT
Special Thanks to Sam Westensee for sharing the weekly Ice Fishing Reports. For daily reports stop into locally owned sporting good and bait shops like Thousand Grand Lakes Sporting Goods.
Caption: Alex Timm with a nice winter walleye from a Grand Rapids, MN area lake.
1/15/2025 Ice Fishing Report: The lakes are in great shape and the fish are biting in the Grand Rapids area. Most lakes in the area have hit 15” of ice and now have a couple inches of snow on top.
Walleyes are still being caught mainly in the evening and after dark periods but have been biting consistently. Most fish are eating minnows on a dead stick but some bigger fish are being caught on more aggressive baits like ripp’n raps or jigging raps. Mid lake humps still seem to be the most productive locations.
The panfish bite has been good. Fish are still suspended over basins and have been very willing to bite. The snow cover on the ice has made it easier to get on schools without spooking them. Small jigging spoons tipped with euro larvae or wax worms have been the go to setup.
If you want to catch some pike, grab a few sucker minnows and set tip ups on a weed edge. Anglers and spear fishermen have seen an increase in pike activity over the last week or so.
1/8/25 Ice Fishing Report: The recent cold snap has continued to build ice on area lakes. We are seeing 12-16 inches of good solid ice. Snowmobiles and atv’s are good to go pretty much anywhere and we are seeing more truck traffic on some lakes. Use your best judgement and always check first if you are unsure about ice. There is still very little snow cover, so make sure you have a good pair of cleats.
The walleye bite overall has been tougher in the last week. Anglers are marking plenty of fish but getting them to bite is a different story. Most of the action is coming from mid lake humps in 20-25 feet. Be patient, most of the bites are coming in the lowlight evening hours and after dark. Rainbows and shiners on a dead stick seem to be the most productive presentation.
The panfish bite is still decent. Small jigs tipped with waxies and larvae are producing bites in the basins. The Tungsten Bullfly from VMC has been a favorite jig this winter. Fish can spook easily with the lack of snow so sitting in a spot and picking off roaming fish may produce better results than chasing schools.
Trail reports...
Itasca Snowmobile Trails (Winter 2024/205)
Thank you to the following Itasca County Snowmobile Clubs for their regular snowmobile trail reports. For more information regarding the Grand Rapids, Minnesota area Snowmobile Trails learn more HERE.
DOWNLOAD THE 2024/2025 ITASCA COUNTY SNOWMOBILE MAP HERE.
Marcel Snowdrifter Snowmobile Club (1/14/25) Hey everybody! I’m happy to say that just about all of our trails have been groomed at least once everything is cleared brushed and ready to rock ‘n’ roll. The town of Marcell and surrounding areas always receive a little bit more snow than you might expect. The high concentration of lakes gives us 3/4 of an inch almost every day Which nobody ever hears about. Our base is very sturdy and trails are smooth for the most part. There are a few swamps that were late to freeze that are a little bumpy, but for the most part, the riding is very good. Come on up and ride people.
Itasca Driftskippers Snowmobile Club: 1/13/25) Well….. this fluffy snow is kinda like winning a $2 pull tab. It’s better than zero ! I heard there were a lot of sleds out yesterday packing the Driftskipper trails and today we are out rolling the trails and packing with the Big Reds. It’s nice to get out and stretch their legs a bit. Been sitting idle for way too long ! After this stuff is packed down we’ll see if there is enough base to start pulling drags. Hoping for more of this snow in the near future !! I’ll post another update after our day is done.
Greenway Snowmobile Club (1/13/25) We got 5.5-6.5 inches of snow on our trail system over the weekend. Some of the crew have been out rolling the trails to help the base. A year and a half without being on the trails really shows in the places we couldn’t get the brusher to. Anything you can do to help brush and pack trails would be amazing. Bring some clippers and start riding. At least we have something to start working with!! Let’s go! Bring on more snow!
Lawron Trail Riders (1/12/25) Hey sled heads, it’s like Christmas all over again. We got some nice puffy fluffy snow! It would be best if some snowmobiles did some packing on the trails. Bring a brush clipper. Two years of growth on the trails that needs to be taken care of. We will let the snow settle down alittle bit (fluffy snow pushes of the trail pretty easy) but will have the groomer out panning this week for sure. We should have a nice base by the weekend. It’s a start! Let’s go 2025! Prez
Haypoint Jackpine Snowmobile Club (1/12/25) Dan and Paul had the groomers out today to pack what they could. As you can see the light, fluffy snow doesn’t pack down well but it’s a start! The Soo Line is very choppy so definitely will need a thicker base to smooth it out. Hoping for more snow asap!
Swampsiders Snowmobile Club (1/14/25) All are trails are looking good and rideable. Would encourage anyone willing to ride these next few days to help pack swamps. Still a few small trees and window slappers. Swamps are looking really good also. I rode 74 miles Sunday and checked ice in them. Plan to spend next few warm days rolling the trails to help set the base again. Once we get more snow we are ready to groom. Also Powell’s will be up on circle L brushing for us. He is going west from intersection of circle L and Circle T. Then going east from there and down part of little bear.
Squawlake/Alvwood Snowmobile Club (1/14/25) Our trails have been packed and trees trimmed around the trail. We will start grooming to get a base started. More snow is needed in order for us to do more extensive trail grooming.
Northern Lights Nordic Ski Association Trails (Winter 2024/2025)
Special thanks to the Northern Lights Nordic Ski Association for keeping the cross country ski trails in the Itasca County area well maintained and groomed in the winter months. In order to ski on these trails, you must purchase a Minnesota Ski Pass HERE. To learn more about the Northern Lights Nordic Ski Association and membership, learn more HERE. Learn more about Itasca County Cross Country Skiing HERE.
DOWNLOAD THE ITASCA SKI MAP
Mount Itasca (Friday January 17, 2025) Scheduling: the races scheduled for this weekend (Jan 18-19) have been cancelled due to cold temperatures. The venue will be groomed and open to public skiing through the weekend. Enjoy if you are hardy! (Jonathan Arntson)
Legion Park Trail (Thursday January 16, 2025) Really nice base with another inch of fresh snow. Skate deck was fairly firm. Shallow set tracks washed out by many skiers. Great glide with mild temps in 30’s. (Catherine McLynn)
Sugar Hills (Thursday January 16, 2025) Most of the trail system had a very soft skating deck and tracks. Only the portions closest to the chalet had recent grooming. Regardless, today was what you dream about in the middle of summer. 29 degrees and deep powder on Sugar Hills. All trails were skiable, just a lot more work in the deep snow. Kudos to the groomer for adding scenic loops on Long Lake. I’d never noticed them before, so maybe it’s a new and awesome touch! (Jeff Pesta)
Suomi Hills (Wednesday January 15, 2025) Groomed north Suomi all trails open. Hard ice base with settled 3″ of sugar snow on top made for a terrible track setting. Recommend only skiing the loops close to the parking lot and maybe the Balloon Lake loop. I only track set 1/2 of the Balloon Lake loop. Spruce Island Lake loop has a terrible track set, as the groomer slid sideways on all the side sloped areas. Worst ever grooming attempt.
(Dale Juntunen)
Alder Pond (Wednesday January 15, 2025) County Groomer Gals were rolling and setting track on main loops beyond parking lot with outhouse. So I broke trail because I wanted to explore the new loop. It was like skiing on eggs trying to avoid the frozen ruts under the fresh snow. First part was beginner friendly until the hills in the pines. It was death defying avoiding the ruts on a steep hill with a turn. But I lived to tell that the end was also beginner friendly. I am eager to go back when it is groomed! (Catherine McLynn)
Trout Lake (Wednesday January 15, 2025) Wonderful fresh powder and soft tracks in good shape. Blue wax covering polar provided excellent kick. These conditions are very forgiving and a great time for novice skiers to try some of the rolling trails of Itasca County.
(Jeff Pesta)
Minnesota Power (Wednesday January 15, 2025) Trails were groomed and tracks were set this morning. There is so little snow that you may poke through to bare ground on the tracks, but all trails are ready! (Stephanie Kessler, Cohasset City Parks)
Robin Baker Blueberry Hills (Monday January 13, 2025) All trails groomed. They are in good shape. Tracks set on almost all trails. Still some areas too thin to set tracks. But skate lanes are nice. (David Parrish)
Portage Park (Monday January 13, 2025) Trails were groomed today after the snow from Sunday. Go enjoy them! (Stephanie Kessler, Cohasset City Parks)
Amen Lake (Sunday January 12, 2025) Groomed Amen and south Suomi. About 5″ of light snow on top of a solid base. Track is squirrelly in places due to the groomer sliding, but plenty skiable. (Randy Zupan)
Cowhorn (Saturday December 14, 2024) Skied loops 2 and 3, all trails have yet to be groomed. Base is frozen wet snow topped with a bit of fluff, feels a bit crusty but the frozen base prevents bottoming out and scraping up ski bottoms. Lots of boot tracks on parts of loop 2. Not great skiing, but better than not skiing. (Ken Boss)
Golden Anniversary (Monday December 9, 2024) Skied counter-clockwise around the McKinley Lk loop, over to the outhouse intersection, and most direct route back to trailhead. Temperature was at thawing so snow was soft. Low lateral stability and variable friction made for challenging conditions, especially while breaking trail on the first loop.
(Brad Bensen)
Mountain Bike & Fat Tire Bike Trails
Special thanks to the Grand Rapids and Itasca Mountain Bike Association GRIMBA for regular Tioga Recreation Area
1-16-25 Tioga Recreation Trail Report – Winter Fat Bike Trails and some of the haul roads were groomed tonight! Iron Maidenhair, Minneflowta, Gurley Flynn, Iron Lady. Greenway, Rough Rider, Thrillseeker connector, Thrillseeker, Tioga Party, Flying Carpe Diem Connector (hub 4 to Tioga Party), Good Vibrations, Nineteen, Sixteen, Powers Run, Ruby Slipper, and No Place Like Home. PLEASE be mindful of our trails, watch your tires pressure and the weather. Recommend air pressure 2 – 4 PSI If you’re leaving rut drop your PSI.
1-14-25 Tioga Recreation Trail Report – Four groomers were out this evening. A huge thank you to Delle, Scott and Wendy. The only trails not groomed tonight were Iron Maidenhair and Minneflowta. Greenway, Thrillseeker and Flying Carpe were only gone over one time, so may still be soft underneath. Please watch your tire pressure and if you are leaving ruts, decrease the air or exit the trails. Thank you.
snowmobile rentals...
R&R Rental
Grand Rapids Location
20760 US-169
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 999-7368
(In partnership with Charter Rentals LLC)
51898 County Road 310
Bigfork, MN 56628
218-245-1470
CROSS COUNTRY SKI, BIKE, & SNOWSHOE RENTALS
Ardent Bicycles
951 NW 4th St, Grand Rapids, MN 55744
218-999-5470
www.ardentbicycles.com
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:
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GRAND RAPIDS, MINNESOTA
WHAT'S NEW
Fishing Report
Trail Conditions
Latest News
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.
