Minnesota · Douglas County
Grant Lake Fishing guide
Grant Lake covers 177 acres in Douglas County, Minnesota, reaching 60 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 10.8 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 11 times, most recently in 2022, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Fair numbers1.8per gill net17"Typical20"Biggest
Lengths measured · 11 fish
Recent · 2020Lengths measured · 11 fish
2020Lengths measured · 42 fish
2014Lengths measured · 44 fish
2009Lengths measured · 49 fish
2004BluegillJust a few10.8per trap net5"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 97 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 97 fish
2022Lengths measured · 51 fish
2014Lengths measured · 139 fish
2009Lengths measured · 23 fish
2004Rates 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 Grant Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 10.8 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- 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 60 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.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. At 10.8 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Largemouth are on the shallow spawning flats and protected bays, where beds go on firm bottom next to isolated cover.
- Summer
- Largemouth are in and along the weeds: cabbage and milfoil edges, matted cover and shade. On a lake that drops to 60 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
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 | Walleye | Largemouth bass | Smallmouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | — | 15" | 7" |
| 2020 | 20" | 17" | 17" |
| 2014 | 21" | 17" | 16" |
| 2009 | 24" | 14" | 17" |
| 2004 | 26" | 17" | — |
| 1999 | 26" | 15" | — |
| 1994 | 19" | 18" | — |
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:
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 · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
Smallmouth bass · Jigs & bladed
Tail Spinner
Compact lead body with a free-spinning blade on the tail
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 | 64,000 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 64,000 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 64,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 64,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2022 survey
A trap net survey was conducted on Grants Lake on July 12-13, 2022 by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Bluegill comprised a majority of the trap net catch by number. The number of Bluegill sampled per net was above the 25% quartile and below the 50% quartile for similar Lake Class 31 lakes and the average length was 5.5 inches, with 22% over seven inches. Bluegill, Hybrid Sunfish, Bowfin, and Northern Pike comprised a majority of the trap net catch by biomass.
The fish data collected in this trap net survey were combined with data from an August 2020 gill net survey and July 2020 survey of nearshore fishes to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g. Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Smallmouth Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g. Black Bullhead and Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.
Read the full DNR narrative
Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Grants Lake is in good health as indicated by an FIBI score above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Long Prairie River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Grant Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Grant 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
- Grants Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Grant Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Blackwell Lake · 307 ac · 0.6 mi
- Mill Lake · 451 ac · 1.7 mi
- Lake Rachel · 448 ac · 2.1 mi
- Grill Lake · 67 ac · 2.2 mi
- Round Lake · 81 ac · 2.5 mi
- Crooked Lake · 284 ac · 2.6 mi
- Pocket Lake · 263 ac · 2.8 mi
- Lake Oscar · 997 ac · 3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Grant Lake?
Grant Lake reaches 60 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 25 ft; about 36% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Grant Lake?
Grant Lake covers 177 acres with about 2.5 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Grant Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Grant Lake average 10.8 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Grant Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2022) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is Grant Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Grant Lake have a public access?
Yes. Grant Lake has one public access site: Grants Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Grant Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 20"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1994.
When was Grant Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Grant Lake in 2022, the most recent of 11 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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