Grand Lake

Grand Lake near 45.4367, -94.3370 is a lake in Stearns County, Minnesota. Grand Lake covers about 649 acres, reaches a recorded 34 feet and holds about 12,334 acre-feet.

How the Size and Shape of Grand Lake Affect Fishing

Grand Lake is small enough to check weeds, wood, rock and the first deep drop without spending the whole day moving around.

Fish and Baits at Grand Lake

Fish reported from Grand Lake include banded killifish, black bullhead, black crappie, blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, bowfin, brook stickleback, brown bullhead, central mudminnow, common shiner, fathead minnow, golden shiner, green sunfish, iowa darter, johnny darter, largemouth bass, least darter, mimic shiner, northern pike, pumpkinseed, spottail shiner, tadpole madtom, walleye, white crappie, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.

Bass

For bass at Grand Lake, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.

Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish

For panfish at Grand Lake, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill, pumpkinseed, and green sunfish, and keep a small jig, minnow or worm close to bottom for yellow perch.

Walleye

For roaming fish at Grand Lake, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.

Northern Pike

For large predators at Grand Lake, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.

Bullheads

For bottom fishing at Grand Lake, fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads.

Other Reported Fish

Other choices at Grand Lake include these plans: work a tough soft plastic or cut bait near weeds and wood for bowfin.

How the Seasons Change Grand Lake

Spring at Grand Lake is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer is a good time to fish shade, weeds and the first drop into deeper water. Fall at Grand Lake can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.

A Simple Plan for Fishing Grand Lake

On a first trip to Grand Lake, check one quiet cove, one rocky or firm point and the nearby deep water with a moving lure, then use a jig or worm where you find fish.

Useful Tackle for Grand Lake

A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at Grand Lake, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for northern pike.

Grand Lake FAQs

Where should an angler start on the 649-acre Grand Lake?

At Grand Lake, pick one cove and the closest point or drop into deep water, then fish that small area well before making a long move.

Should anglers fish the 34-foot deep end of Grand Lake?

Not every trip. A better place at Grand Lake is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.

What does the 12,334 acre-foot storage figure mean at Grand Lake?

At Grand Lake, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.