Grand

Grand Lake is a 655-acre, highly developed lake located approximately two miles south of Rockville in eastern Stearns County. The lake has moderate to good water quality with an average summer Secchi depth of 8.9 feet, reflecting improved water clarity since the last survey. It is classified as lake class 27. The watershed covers roughly 7,000 acres and land use is dominated by cultivated crops (41%), forest (25%), open water (14%), hay/pasture (8%), wetland (5%), grassland (3%), and residential (3%). A DNR public access is located on the south side of the lake and the lake is designated infested with starry stonewort (2017), and zebra mussels (2022). A standard lake survey was completed in 2025 to update fisheries data last collected in 2020. Grand Lake continues to support a balanced and moderately productive fishery typical of central Minnesota lakes. The 2025 standard lake survey indicated stable water quality and habitat conditions along with consistent recruitment among major gamefish. The fish community remains dominated by Walleye, Northern Pike, and Bluegill, with Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and several other warmwater species providing a variety of quality angler opportunities. Walleye remain the primary managed species in Grand Lake and continue to perform well under the current fingerling stocking program. The 2025 survey documented higher walleye abundance than in 2020 and above the long-term average. Fish ranged from approximately 11 to 26 inches, averaging 16 inches and 1.5 pounds. This reflects strong recruitment from the 2022 and 2024 stocking events, although the larger number of younger fish slightly lowered the average size compared to 2020. Growth remains average, with fish reaching 16 inches by age-3. Overall, the Walleye population provides a consistent and dependable fishery for anglers. Northern Pike remain abundant. The 2025 survey showed abundance similar to 2020 and continued to be above expected levels for lake class 27. Pike lengths ranged from 16 to 34 inches and averaged about 23 inches and 2.6 pounds, a noticeable improvement in size from the 2020 survey. Seventeen percent of pike sampled were longer than 26 inches compared to just 3% in 2020, suggesting modest gains in size structure. Recent angler harvest of small pike appears to be improving overall balance. The population remains high but offers good angling action with opportunities for larger fish. Bass sampling resumed in 2025 after being paused in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Spring day-time electrofishing in 2025 documented higher bass abundance than in 2015 and above the Sauk Rapids Area day-time average. Bass ranged from 8 to 18 inches and averaged 13 inches in length, with 68% of fish exceeding 12 inches and 19% exceeding 15 inches. The bass population is healthy, self-sustaining, and well balanced, supported by good spawning and rearing habitat along vegetated shorelines. Bluegill remain one of the most abundant species in Grand Lake. The 2025 survey showed higher bluegill abundance than in 2020 and exceeded the expected lake class values. Bluegill ranged from 3 to 9 inches and averaged 5.4 inches. Thirty-five percent were longer than 6 inches, but only 1 percent exceeded 8 inches. While Bluegill are plentiful, they continue to be dominated by small and medium-sized fish, a common condition in lakes with high competition and predation. The population appears stable with moderate reproduction each year. Black Crappie abundance increased slightly in 2025 compared to the previous survey. Fish ranged from 5 to 11 inches, averaging 8 inches in length. Crappies remain a popular target for anglers, and current numbers indicate improving fishing opportunities. Yellow Perch continue to be scarce. The 2025 survey showed similar low abundance compared to the past 3 surveys and remains well below expected values. Only a few individuals were sampled, measuring about six inches each. Their persistently low abundance is likely caused by sustained predation from the abundant Northern Pike and Walleye populations. Yellow Perch are not currently a significant component of the fish community or fishery. Other fish captured during the survey included Brown and Yellow Bullhead, Bowfin (Dogfish), Hybrid Sunfish, Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and White Sucker. Grand Lake maintains a healthy and diverse fish community. Walleye continue to perform well under current management, Northern Pike remain abundant and show modest size improvement, and Largemouth Bass populations are strong and well balanced. Bluegill are abundant and small while and Black Crappie populations are average and stable. Yellow Perch remain low but do not appear to affect the overall fishery balance. Habitat and water quality continue to support good spawning and recruitment conditions. Overall, Grand Lake provides excellent year-round angling potential with consistent Walleye catches, abundant Pike, and stable panfish numbers.

Grand Lake is a 650 acre lake located two (2) miles south of Rockville in eastern Stearns County. The lake has a maximum depth of 34 feet with moderate water quality. It has a modest watershed (26 inches) to help improve the size structure. Spring electrofishing is the preferred sampling method to assess Largemouth Bass populations; however bass sampling was not conducted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Largemouth Bass were last surveyed in 2015 and found in lower than average numbers; however the average size was good (14 inches) and 33% were longer than 15 inches. Bluegill abundance was similar to 2015 with a few quality size Bluegill present. Twenty-nine percent of the Bluegill sampled were longer than six (6) inches, but only 3% were longer than eight (8) inches. Five hundred fifty-six Bluegill were sampled and ranged in length from two (2) to nine (9) inches with an average length of five (5) inches. Black Crappie abundance in gill nets and trap nets was lower than 2015, but within the range of expected values for gill nets and below the expected values for trap nets. Only 10 Black Crappie were caught during the survey and ranged in length from six (6) to 12 inches with an average length of nine (9) inches. Surveys in late summer likely under represent panfish abundance and size structure. Targeted near-shore sampling around spawning time is recommended for both Bluegill and Black Crappie to better assess their abundance and size structure. Yellow Perch abundance was similar to 2015, but below the expected range of values for similar lakes. Only three (3) Yellow Perch were sampled during the survey and all were six (6) inches in length. Yellow Perch abundance has been low since 2008 and is likely limited due to high numbers of Northern Pike. Other species sampled included: Brown and Yellow Bullhead, Bowfin (Dogfish), Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and White Sucker.

Grand Lake is a 650 acre lake located two miles south of Rockville in eastern Stearns County. It has a maximum depth of 34 feet and a modest watershed dominated by row crops, forest and pasture. A DNR public access is located on the south side of the lake. Grand Lake is primarily managed for Northern Pike and Walleye and was last surveyed in 2008. Anglers can expect good fishing for smaller Northern Pike and good sized Walleye. Emergent and floating leaf vegetation was common along the south and west shoreline, primarily wild rice, yellow waterlily and bulrush. Submerged vegetation was not surveyed, but coontail and chara were the dominant species in 2008. Curly leaf pondweed was present but rare. Water clarity was good; Secchi depth was 5.5 feet in August and MPCA data show an average of six feet over the last ten years. Dissolved oxygen was adequate to support fish down to 20 feet in mid July. Walleye numbers were identical to 2008, but lower than 1998 and near the average for similar lakes. Walleye lengths ranged from 10.2 inches to 27.6 inches with an average length and weight of 18.5 inches and 2.0 pounds. Walleye ages ranged from 2 to 16 years old with most fish between 4 and 7 years old. Walleye growth was fast, averaging nearly 16 inches in three years. Walleye fingerlings have been stocked every other year for many years by the DNR and occasionally by the lake association. Northern Pike catches have been high in recent surveys. The catch rates in 2015, 2008 and 1998 were well above the expected range of values for similar lakes. Northern Pike lengths in 2015 ranged from 10.5 to 29.3 inches with an average length and weight of 19.0 inches and 1.7 pounds. Northern Pike were smaller compared to the last survey; only 6% of pike were 24 inches or longer in 2015, compared to 26% in 2008. Largemouth Bass were sampled in May by nighttime boat electrofishing; bass numbers were low, but size was good. The catch rate of 28.2/hour was low compared with the Sauk Rapids Area average of 73.6/hour; however, the results in 2008 (82.9/hour) were much higher. Lengths in 2015 ranged from 8.0 to 17.8 inches with an average length of 13.8 inches. Of catchable size fish (>8 inches), 33% were longer than 15 inches. Bluegill numbers were much higher than 2008, but within the range of expected values. Lengths ranged from 2.9 inches to 9.3 inches with an average length of 5.4 inches. Black Crappie numbers were low, but similar to other lakes like Grand. Lengths ranged from 4.2 to 12.2 inches with an average length of 8.2 inches. Surveys in late summer likely under represent panfish abundance and size; netting near shore around spawning time would probably be more effective. Very few Yellow Perch were caught, well below the average for similar lakes. Lengths ranged from 5.1 to 8.9 inches with an average length of 6.6 inches. Yellow Perch abundance is likely limited by high numbers of Northern Pike. Others species captured included Black, Brown, and Yellow Bullhead, Bowfin (Dogfish), Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed and White Sucker.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Hybrid Sunfish, 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 34 feet and a mean depth of 19 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Grand is from 2025.

Yes — Grand has confirmed starry stonewort and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.