Grass

Grass Lake is a small lake in northwestern Wright County with surface area of 92 acres and a maximum depth of 35 feet. The Clearwater River flows through Clearwater Lake and into Grass Lake via a short, navigable channel and exits Grass Lake on the north end over a small low head dam; no other public access exists. The Clearwater River flows into the Mississippi River at the town of Clearwater, past a larger dam that is a barrier to fish movement. The watershed is large and dominated by agriculture. The lake is primarily managed for Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass. This is the first survey since 2005. Emergent vegetation was abundant; cattail and white waterlily were the dominant species along shore. No submergent plant survey was done in 2014, but coontail, chara, and northern milfoil were predominant in 2005 and submerged vegetation was abundant in 2014. Eurasian watermilfoil was not found in the 2005 survey, but is now widespread in Clearwater Lake and likely exists in Grass Lake. Water clarity was good; Secchi depth was 7.0 feet in August 2014. Northern Pike catch rates were similar between 2014 and 2005 and remained within the expected range of values for lakes similar to Grass Lake. Northern Pike in 2014 ranged in length from 15.0 to 31.2 inches with an average length and weight of 20.5 inches and 1.7 pounds. Although catch rates were similar, only 11% of Northern Pike in 2014 were longer than 24 inches versus 28% in 2005. Largemouth Bass were surveyed in May by daytime boat electrofishing. The catch rate was well below the Montrose Area average. Largemouth Bass lengths ranged from 9.2 to 18.4 inches with an average length of 13.6 inches. Of the catchable size fish (> 8 inches) caught, 46% were longer than 15 inches; however, only 11 fish were captured. The Bluegill catch rate was lower than 2005, but still in the expected range of values for similar lakes. Bluegill lengths ranged from 2.4 to 8.4 inches; average length and weight were 5.1 inches and 0.12 pounds. Black Crappie were caught in low numbers (below the expected range) in 2014 and catch rates in 2005 were similarly low. Black Crappie lengths ranged from 7.5 to 10.0 inches with an average length and weight of 9.3 inches and 0.52 pounds. Only seven Black Crappie were caught in the survey. One Walleye was captured in the survey; Walleye are stocked in Clearwater Lake and some likely migrate to Grass Lake. Only one Yellow Perch was sampled; Yellow Perch catches have been very low since the 1985 survey. Other species captured included: Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.

Grass Lake is a small lake in northwestern Wright County with surface area of 92 acres and a maximum depth of 35 feet. The Clearwater River flows through Clearwater Lake and into Grass Lake via a short, navigable channel and exits Grass Lake on the north end over a small low head dam; no other public access exists. The Clearwater River flows into the Mississippi River at the town of Clearwater, past a larger dam that is a barrier to fish movement. The watershed is large and dominated by agriculture. The lake is primarily managed for Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass. This is the first survey since 2005. Emergent vegetation was abundant; cattail and white waterlily were the dominant species along shore. No submergent plant survey was done in 2014, but coontail, chara, and northern milfoil were predominant in 2005 and submerged vegetation was abundant in 2014. Eurasian watermilfoil was not found in the 2005 survey, but is now widespread in Clearwater Lake and likely exists in Grass Lake. Water clarity was good; Secchi depth was 7.0 feet in August 2014. Northern Pike catch rates were similar between 2014 and 2005 and remained within the expected range of values for lakes similar to Grass Lake. Northern Pike in 2014 ranged in length from 15.0 to 31.2 inches with an average length and weight of 20.5 inches and 1.7 pounds. Although catch rates were similar, only 11% of Northern Pike in 2014 were longer than 24 inches versus 28% in 2005. Largemouth Bass were surveyed in May by daytime boat electrofishing. The catch rate was well below the Montrose Area average. Largemouth Bass lengths ranged from 9.2 to 18.4 inches with an average length of 13.6 inches. Of the catchable size fish (> 8 inches) caught, 46% were longer than 15 inches; however, only 11 fish were captured. The Bluegill catch rate was lower than 2005, but still in the expected range of values for similar lakes. Bluegill lengths ranged from 2.4 to 8.4 inches; average length and weight were 5.1 inches and 0.12 pounds. Black Crappie were caught in low numbers (below the expected range) in 2014 and catch rates in 2005 were similarly low. Black Crappie lengths ranged from 7.5 to 10.0 inches with an average length and weight of 9.3 inches and 0.52 pounds. Only seven Black Crappie were caught in the survey. One Walleye was captured in the survey; Walleye are stocked in Clearwater Lake and some likely migrate to Grass Lake. Only one Yellow Perch was sampled; Yellow Perch catches have been very low since the 1985 survey. Other species captured included: Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.

Grass Lake is accessible via navigable channel from Clearwater Lake. It has no other public access. From an angling standpoint Grass Lake is interesting to explore. It is not as heavily developed and the east side is fringed with cattails. Water depths drop off quickly from the shoreline. For some reason Eurasian water milfoil has not colonized Grass Lake even though it is present in Clearwater and Augusta Lakes.In 2005 all the lakes of the Clearwater Chain were surveyed including Louisa-Marie, Caroline, Augusta, Clearwater and Grass. The lake surveys included electrofishing for largemouth bass, trap and gill nets, and various measurements of the biological, chemical and physical communities.Largemouth Bass Sampling largemouth bass abundance was not accomplished, however, it is thought that the largemouth population is similar to Clearwater Lake. Largemouth bass were sampled by evening electrofishing on Clearwater Lake at a rate nearly 1.5 times the median for Montrose area lakes. Of the catchable size bass (greater than 8 inches), 45 percent were greater than 12 inches. The average length oflargemouth bass sampled was 11.2 inches, while the largest bass sampled was 20.1 inches. Approximately 10 bass tournaments are conducted each year on Augusta, Clearwater, Grass and Otter Lakes.Northern PikeImportant sport species captured with gill nets included northern pike and walleye. Of these only northern pike were abundant, 10.3/gill net. The catch of northern pike was above that of lakes similar to Grass. Northern pike ranged in length from 16.5 to 30.4 inches with a mean length of 21.5 inches. Anglers can expect good fishing for smaller northern pike.WalleyeWalleye are present at a low level of abundance. Walleye are not stocked but fish may freely move into the lake from adjoining Clearwater Lake, which is stocked with walleye fry every other year. During this survey walleye ranged in length from 19.5 to 23.1 inches with a mean length of 20.9 inches.Bluegill and Black CrappieImportant species captured in trap nets were bluegill (18.7/trap net) and black crappie (1.3 /trap net). The catch of bluegill was within the range of expected values for lakes similar to Grass. Bluegill ranged in length from 3.0 to 8.3 inches with a mean length of 5.8 inches. Black crappie ranged in length from 9.0 to 9.8 inches with a mean length of 9.4 inches.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Rock Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, and Black Crappie in Grass. 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 Grass. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Grass has a maximum depth of 35 feet and a mean depth of 9.9 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Grass is from 2014. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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