Little Grand

Little Grand is a 174-acre lake near the town of Saginaw, MN. There is no public access to Little Grand. Maximum depth is 58 feet with 48% of the lake shallower than 15 feet. Little Grand has an inlet from Baby Grand and an outlet to Big Grand. The connection to Big Grand is not navigable and fish movement is limited to periods of high water. There is a navigable channel for small watercraft between Little Grand and Baby Grand and fish movement is less restricted. Little Grand was surveyed during the summer of 2008 to update information about fish populations. Walleye abundance of 0.7 per gillnet lift was below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Walleye mean length was 19.8 inches but not enough individuals were sampled (4) to evaluate stock density or growth. The 2002 and 2005 year-classes were present. Northern pike abundance of 9.8 per gillnet lift was above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Mean length was 20.3 inches and growth was average when compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2002 to 2007 were represented. Fall shoreline seining captured 1 young-of-the-year (YOY) northern pike. The black crappie trapnet catch of 4.0 per lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Black crappie mean length was 8.6 inches and growth was average when compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2002 to 2006 were represented in the sample with strong 2002 and 2005 year-classes, comprising 81% of captured fish. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass were captured during the survey. Although YOY largemouth bass were sampled during the 1964 survey, largemouth bass were not sampled again until the 2008 survey. A total of five largemouth bass were caught in gillnets and three in trapnets. Mean length was 10.9 inches from the gillnets, with fish up to 16.9 inches sampled. Fall shoreline seining captured 7 YOY largemouth bass. A total of nine smallmouth bass were caught in gillnets, up from eight caught in 1992, the first time smallmouth bass were sampled in Little Grand Lake. Mean length was 16.6 inches with fish up to 18.6 inches sampled. Yellow perch abundance of 2.2 per gillnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Mean length of perch was 6.3 inches and growth was average when compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2004 to 2006 were represented. Other fish species sampled included black bullhead, brown bullhead, yellow bullhead, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, Johnny darter and white sucker. Information was collected on aquatic vegetation, substrate and water quality. Diversity of aquatic plants was good with 35 species or species groups identified along 20 transects. Clasping-leaf pondweed was the most frequently found plant (90% of transects) followed by Canada waterweed and variable-leaf pondweed (80% of transects each). Numerous plants species or species groups were found at only one transect (5%) including the bladderwort group, hardstem bulrush, horsetail group, rush group, sessile-fruited arrowhead, sweet flag, white-stem pondweed, wool grass and yellow waterlily. The most common substrate types were sand, gravel and rubble which were identified along 100%, 70% and 40% of the transects, respectively. Results of laboratory water analysis indicate Little Grand is a slightly alkaline, moderately hard water lake with good fertility.

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

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Little Grand. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Little Grand has a maximum depth of 58 feet and a mean depth of 15 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Little Grand is from 2008. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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