Best Lakes for Fishing Near Grand Rapids
Minnesota
30 fishing lakes within driving distance of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, ranked by water quality and fishing-specific filters. Filtered for documented fish species (3+) and public access. Ranked by water quality and species diversity.
Grand Rapids sits in a lake-rich part of the upper Midwest: 30 graded lakes within reach, average grade A. Little Jay Gould Lake (A) leads the cluster.
Filtered for fishing, the nearby-lake list narrows further. fishing-specific signals — fish species, public access, depth profile, motor-boat congestion — interact with the letter grade in different ways depending on the use case.
| # | Lake | County | Grade | Distance | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Little Jay Gould Lake | Itasca | A | 3.9 mi | 21.5 ft | 56 ft |
| 2 | Jay Gould Lake | Itasca | A | 4.5 mi | 13 ft | 33 ft |
| 3 | Pokegama Lake | Itasca | A | 4.6 mi | 16.1 ft | 112 ft |
| 4 | Long Lake | Itasca | A | 5.9 mi | 16.9 ft | 85 ft |
| 5 | Siseebakwet Lake | Itasca | A | 8.9 mi | 19 ft | 105 ft |
| 6 | Deer Lake | Itasca | A | 11.4 mi | 13.1 ft | 121 ft |
| 7 | Bluewater Lake | Itasca | A | 12.6 mi | 18.5 ft | 120 ft |
| 8 | Wabana Lake | Itasca | A | 12.8 mi | 18 ft | 115 ft |
| 9 | Shallow Lake | Itasca | A | 13.1 mi | 16.4 ft | 85 ft |
| 10 | Little Trout Lake | Itasca | A | 13.9 mi | 22 ft | 80 ft |
| 11 | Johnson Lake | Itasca | A | 14.6 mi | 15.7 ft | 88 ft |
| 12 | Sugar Lake | Cass | A | 16 mi | 13.5 ft | 44 ft |
| 13 | Swan Lake | Itasca | A | 16.6 mi | 13.5 ft | 65 ft |
| 14 | Helen Lake | Itasca | A | 21 mi | 8 ft | 33 ft |
| 15 | Dead Horse Lake | Itasca | A | 21.4 mi | 9.8 ft | 30 ft |
| 16 | North Star Lake | Itasca | A | 22.9 mi | 19 ft | 90 ft |
| 17 | Little Sand Lake | Cass | A | 22.9 mi | 7.5 ft | 12 ft |
| 18 | Big Ole Lake | Itasca | A | 23.1 mi | 21.8 ft | 65 ft |
| 19 | Island Lake | St. Louis | A | 23.4 mi | 14.5 ft | 65 ft |
| 20 | Big Island Lake | Itasca | A | 23.4 mi | 16.4 ft | 42 ft |
| 21 | Burns Lake | Itasca | A | 26.8 mi | 16.1 ft | 100 ft |
| 22 | Thunder Lake | Cass | A | 28.8 mi | 16.5 ft | 95 ft |
| 23 | Six Mile Lake | Cass | A | 28.9 mi | 11.5 ft | 68 ft |
| 24 | Maple Lake | Itasca | A | 29.4 mi | 15.3 ft | 39 ft |
| 25 | Upper Trelipe Lake | Cass | A | 29.8 mi | 14 ft | 69 ft |
| 26 | Boy Lake | Cass | A | 30.1 mi | 10.5 ft | 45 ft |
| 27 | Bello Lake | Itasca | A | 31.5 mi | 13.1 ft | 58 ft |
| 28 | Island Lake | Cass | A | 32.1 mi | 15.5 ft | 45 ft |
| 29 | Long Lake | Itasca | A | 32.3 mi | 16.7 ft | 72 ft |
| 30 | Leavitt Lake | Cass | A | 32.6 mi | 7.9 ft | 60 ft |
Other activities near Grand Rapids
Where to stay near Grand Rapids
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Grand Rapids — book a place close to the best-rated lakes in the area.
Top-rated places to stay near Grand Rapids
Prices for Sep 18–20, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Grand Rapids?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Grand Rapids — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.