Grand

Grand was surveyed during the summer of 2019 to evaluate and update information about fish populations after a significant winterkill in 2013-14, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the post-winterkill Walleye stocking program. Largemouth Bass, Bluegill and Black Crappie are the primary management species for Grand Lake. Largemouth Bass were sampled during a spring electrofishing survey at a rate of 24.8 per hour which was average compared to other Duluth Area lakes. Average length was 13.6 inches. Largemouth Bass abundance has been steadily increasing since the winterkill event and the lake is providing quality bass angling opportunities again. Black Crappie abundance of 4.2 per trapnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes. Average length was 8.4 inches with fish up to 12.4 inches sampled. Bluegill abundance was average at 7.9 per trapnet lift. Average length was relatively small at 5.5 inches. Yellow Perch abundance of 6.1 per gillnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes. Average size was 7.6 inches. After the winterkill of 2013-14, Walleye fry were stocked in the spring of 2014, 2015 and 2016 to provide a short-term Walleye fishery. Survival rates of fry post winterkill can be exceptional, with abundant food resources and a lack of predation by other fish. Walleye abundance of 5.0 per gillnet lift in 2019 was average compared to other similar Minnesota Lakes. Walleye average length was large at 17.6 inches, with some fish exceeding 20 inches. All Walleye captured corresponded to the 2014 and 2016 stocked year-classes, however no specimens were aged to the 2015 stocked year-class. Anglers should expect good Walleye fishing for the next couple years before these cohorts begin to diminish. Walleye do not reproduce naturally at sustainable levels in Grand Lake and stocking return rates have been shown to be low when the fishery is balanced several years after winterkill events. For these reasons, stocking of Walleye in Grand Lake is only planned following significant winterkill events. Northern Pike abundance of 6.1 per gillnet lift was down substantially from the last assessment (30.8). Average size was small at 18.9 inches. Anglers should expect good catches of small Northern Pike as two strong year-classes of young fish were present.

Grand was surveyed during the summer of 2015 to evaluate and update information about fish populations after a significant winterkill in 2013-14, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the post-winterkill Walleye stocking program. Largemouth Bass, Bluegill and Black Crappie are the primary management species for Grand Lake. All species had some specimens that were aged to years prior to the winterkill event of 2013-14 indicating that a total winterkill did not happen. Largemouth Bass were sampled during a spring electrofishing survey at a rate of 3.1 per hour which was below average compared to other Duluth Area lakes. Average length was 14.8 inches. Although not as abundant as prior to the winterkill, some quality bass are still present with some approaching 18 inches. Black Crappie abundance of 3.0 per trapnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes. Average length was 8.9 inches with fish up to 11.2 inches sampled. Bluegill abundance was average at 1.2 per trapnet lift. Average length was 7.1 inches. Yellow Perch abundance of 19.7 per gillnet lift was above average compared to other Minnesota lakes. Average size was good at 8.6 inches. After the winterkill of 2013-14, Walleye fry were stocked in the spring of 2014 and 2015. Walleye abundance of 1.0 per gillnet lift was below average compared to other Minnesota Lakes. Walleye average length was 13.4 inches. Almost the entire sample was from the 2014 year-class, suggesting that the initial Walleye fry stocking post winterkill may establish a year-class. One large specimen was aged to the 2007 year-class. The 2015 year-class was too small to be susceptible for capture so the strength of that year-class is unknown. Northern Pike abundance of 30.8 per gillnet lift was the highest on record for Grand Lake dating back to 1955. Average size was small at 19.4 inches and 1.7 pounds. Anglers should expect good catches of Northern Pike as several very strong year-classes were present.

Grand is a 1,592 acre lake with 95% (1,510 acres) littoral area and a maximum depth of 24 feet. The lake is located 4 miles northwest of Hermantown, MN and has two public accesses. There is one access on the northwest corner of the lake off of Township #182 (Dickerman Road), and the other is located on the north shore off of Township #610 (McGregor Road). Both accesses are steep ramps with limited parking. Grand Lake was last assessed in 2005. Grand Lake was surveyed during the summer of 2010 to update information about fish populations and to evaluate the success of the walleye stocking program. Walleye fry have been stocked in odd years since 1999. Walleye abundance of 1.0 per gillnet lift was down from 2005 (1.9) and was below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Walleye average length was impressive at 21.5 inches, but not enough individuals were captured to evaluate stock density or growth. Year-class representation was scattered with eight year-classes present from 1989 through 2001. Forty-five percent of the walleyes aged corresponded to stocked year-classes. Zero walleyes were captured from the last four fry stocking events. A total of 46 largemouth bass were sampled with electrofishing equipment. The catch rate of largemouth bass was 73.9 fish per hour of electrofishing on-time. Largemouth bass average length was 14.0 inches and growth was fast compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2000 through 2009 were represented in the sample, with strong 2005 and 2007 year-classes. Shoreline seining captured 4 young-of-the-year (YOY) largemouth bass with an average length of 2.5 inches. Northern pike abundance of 5.4 per gillnet lift was down from 2005 (6.3) and average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. The 2010 northern pike catch rate is the lowest on record in seven investigations dating back to 1955. Average length was 19.3 inches and growth was slow compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2000 to 2009 were represented except 2001. Black crappie abundance of 4.0 per trapnet lift was up from 2005 (3.7) and was average when compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Black crappie mean length was 8.2 inches and growth was slow compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2003 to 2008 were represented. Shoreline seining captured 4 YOY black crappie with an average length of 2.2 inches. Bluegill abundance of 6.2 per trapnet lift was up from 2005 (4.1) and average when compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length of sampled bluegills was 6.9 inches and growth was average compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2001 to 2008 were represented. Yellow perch abundance of 13.4 per gillnet lift was up from 2005 (7.8) and was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length of perch was 6.6 inches and growth was average compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2000 to 2009 were represented. Other fish species sampled included black and brown bullhead, golden shiner, hybrid sunfish, rock bass, pumpkinseed sunfish and white sucker. Information was collected on aquatic vegetation, substrate and water quality. Forty-six aquatic plant species or species groups were identified along 40 transects. Clasping-leaf pondweed was the most frequently found plant (93% of transects) followed by flatstem pondweed (83%) and bushy and Robbins' pondweeds (both 73%). The most common substrate types were sand, gravel and detritus which were identified along 93%, 55% and 30% of the transects, respectively. Results of laboratory water analysis indicate Grand is an alkaline, moderately hard water lake with low fertility. Grand Lake was included in an index of biotic integrity (IBI) assessment in 2010. In addition to standard gillnets and trapnets, beach seines and backpack electrofishing equipment were used to index species richness of the nearshore lake habitat.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and Black Crappie in Grand. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Grand. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Grand has a maximum depth of 24 feet and a mean depth of 10 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Grand is from 2019.

No invasive species are on record for Grand in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.