Minnesota · Hubbard County
Grace Lake Fishing guide
Grace Lake sits in Hubbard County, Minnesota, and covers 860 acres, reaching 42 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 7.9 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 11 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Good numbers5.3per gill net17"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 78 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 76 fish
2025Lengths measured · 2 fish
2022Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 166 fish
2020Lengths measured · 154 fish
2015Largemouth bassJust a few9per hr (electrofishing)10"Typical20"Biggest
Lengths measured · 121 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 106 fish
2025Lengths measured · 15 fish
2022Lengths measured · 61 fish
2020Lengths measured · 113 fish
2015No recent survey rating.
Northern pikeOne of the best around15.8per gill net18"Typical34"Biggest
Lengths measured · 208 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 205 fish
2025Lengths measured · 3 fish
2022Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 80 fish
2020Lengths measured · 117 fish
2015Last recorded in the 1989 survey and not seen since.
BluegillFair numbers31.7per trap net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1430 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 863 fish
2025Lengths measured · 567 fish
2022Lengths measured · 1423 fish
2020Lengths measured · 62 fish
2015CrappieJust a few0.4per trap net9"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 59 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 51 fish
2025Lengths measured · 8 fish
2022Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 81 fish
2020Lengths measured · 6 fish
2015Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Yellow perchGood numbers8.8per gill net7"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 125 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 112 fish
2025Lengths measured · 13 fish
2022Lengths measured · 266 fish
2020Lengths measured · 1026 fish
2015Rock bassExcellent numbers2.6per seine haul6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 77 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 65 fish
2025Lengths measured · 12 fish
2022Lengths measured · 188 fish
2020Lengths measured · 66 fish
2015Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish Grace Lake through the year
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth.
- Early summer
- Pike are on the outside weed edge and points.
- Summer
- Pike are on the deep weed edge and points near the coolest water they can find. On a lake that drops to 42 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure. On a lake that drops to 42 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Northern pike | Walleye | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 34" | 28" | 20" |
| 2022 | 29" | 19" | 16" |
| 2020 | 33" | 25" | 18" |
| 2015 | 29" | 27" | 19" |
| 2010 | 37" | 28" | 18" |
| 2000 | 30" | 26" | 14" |
| 1995 | 33" | 26" | 2" |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Leadcore Line + Crankbaits
4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Topwater Popper
2.5–3" concave-face popper
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Hollow-Body Frog
3–3.5" hollow-body frog
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 1,150 fingerlings · 321 yearlings · 458 adults |
| 2024 | Walleye | 1,106 fingerlings · 692 yearlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 7,019 fingerlings · 11 yearlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 9,904 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 2,925 adults |
| 2020 | Walleye | 12,500 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 31,324 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 8,782 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 23,876 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 1,530 fingerlings · 472 yearlings · 1,236 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Grace Lake is a 860-acre, highly developed natural lake located in southern Beltrami County, approximately 8 miles southeast of Bemidji, MN. Grace has an average water clarity of 7 feet and a maximum depth of 42 feet. There is a DNR-owned public access northwest side of the lake, and a 4-acre Aquatic Management Area (AMA) on the southwestern shore of the lake. Grace Lake is primary managed for Walleye, Northern Pike, and Yellow Perch.
A standard survey was completed on Grace Lake in 2025 to assess the fish community. Gamefish species targeted by anglers in this lake include Walleye, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch.
Read the full DNR narrative
Walleye lengths ranged from 10 to 28 inches and averaged around 18 inches. Walleye abundance decreased from 2020, was below the lake's historical average, but still within the typical range for lakes with similar morphological characteristics. The Walleye population is sustained through annual fingerling stockings. Walleye yearlings and/or adults have also been stocked if fingerlings were unavailable. A total of 13 year classes were captured and ages ranged from 3 to 17 years old.
Northern Pike abundance increased from the 2020 survey, was above average for the lake, and above the typical range for similar lakes in Minnesota. Northern Pike lengths ranged from 14 to 34 inches and averaged 20 inches. Twenty-six percent of the Northern Pike captured in gill nets were larger than 22 inches and 11% were within the north-central zone regulation's protected slot of 22-26 inches.
Bluegill abundance decreased but was within the normal range for this lake type. High numbers of Bluegill were captured by gill nets, indicating fish were using deeper habitats during the survey. Bluegill lengths averaged 6 inches, with a few Bluegill over 9 inches captured. Bluegill growth was slow with fish averaging 5 inches at 4 years old. It is recommended that anglers keep smaller sunfish and release the larger fish to help improve and maintain the population's size structure.
Black Crappie abundance was similar to the historical average for the lake and the survey in 2020. Black Crappie lengths ranged from 5 to 12 inches and averaged 9 inches. Growth rates were average compared to similar lakes in the area, and ages ranged from 2 to 7 years old.
Largemouth Bass abundance has increased in the last couple surveys and was above average compated to the typical range for similar lakes in Minnesota. Largemouth Bass total length averaged 11 inches and ranged from 5 to 20 inches. Ages ranged from 2 to 9 years old.
Yellow Perch are considered important forage species for large predators like Walleye, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass. Yellow Perch abundance was below average and lengths ranged from 5 to 10 inches. Other species sampled during the survey included Brown Bullhead, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.
Grace Lake is infested with Curly-leaf Pondweed, an aquatic invasive species (AIS). AIS can be transferred by anglers and boats from infested to non-infested waterbodies. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. Please follow the current AIS regulations to avoid spreading to other lakes.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Grace Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Grace Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Grace Lake (W) (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Grace Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Midge Lake · 546 ac · 1.8 mi
- Wolf Lake · 1,076 ac · 2.6 mi
- Little Wolf Lake · 525 ac · 3.8 mi
- Andrusia Lake · 1,596 ac · 5.5 mi
- Irving Lake · 662 ac · 7.5 mi
- Marquette Lake · 528 ac · 7.7 mi
- Hart Lake · 226 ac · 8.1 mi
- Bemidji (main lake) · 6,596 ac · 8.4 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Grace Lake?
Grace Lake reaches 42 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 17 ft; about 40% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Grace Lake?
Grace Lake covers 860 acres with about 4.3 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Grace Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Grace Lake average 7.9 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Grace Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Grace Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Grace Lake have a public access?
Yes. Grace Lake has one public access site: Grace Lake (W) (trailer launch).
How big do northern pike get in Grace Lake?
The biggest northern pike measured in recent DNR surveys taped 34"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1995.
When was Grace Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Grace Lake in 2025, the most recent of 11 surveys on record.
Page updated .
Featured guide spot
Your guide service here
One featured guide per lake, with your photo, your writeup and a link straight to your booking page. Free through December 31, 2026.
Then $20 a month from January. Cancel any time.
The live map adds today's conditions and ranked spots for Grace Lake, plus a trip plan you can share:
Open Grace Lake on the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report