What Grace Lake offers anglers

Grace Lake is a shallow, weedy walleye and pike lake in Beltrami County that rewards anglers who understand how to fish vegetation. The lake runs about 1,200 acres and rarely exceeds 30 feet deep—most of it sits between 8 and 18 feet. That shallow profile means the entire lake warms quickly in spring, turns over fast in fall, and grows thick with aquatic plants from June through September. Walleye here relate hard to weed edges and the few deeper holes; pike hunt the same structure and grow fat on the abundant forage.

The character of Grace Lake is defined by what it is not: it is not a trophy lake, and it is not a place to fish open water. What it is, instead, is a lake where consistent mid-sized walleye (14 to 18 inches) and pike (20 to 28 inches) are catchable year-round if you know where to look. Summer is the hardest season because the weeds choke the lake, but spring and fall produce steady action, and winter ice fishing can be excellent once you locate the deeper pockets where walleye congregate.

Key Takeaways

  • Grace Lake is shallow and heavily weeded, so success depends on finding weed edges and the few deeper holes rather than covering open water.
  • Walleye bite best in spring (April through May) and fall (September through October) when vegetation is thinner and fish move more actively.
  • Summer fishing requires patience and knowledge of the deepest holes; many anglers skip this season or fish early morning and late evening.
  • Pike are present year-round and often easier to catch than walleye, especially around shallow weed beds and near the inlet and outlet.
  • A Minnesota fishing license and a current Beltrami County fishing stamp are required; check the Minnesota DNR website for current regulations on walleye and pike limits.

Spring and fall: the best seasons for walleye

Spring (April through May) is when Grace Lake fishes easiest. The water temperature climbs from the low 40s into the 50s, walleye move shallow to feed, and the weeds have not yet filled in. Fish the edges of emerging vegetation in 6 to 12 feet of water using live minnows under a slip bobber, or work jigs tipped with minnows along the deeper weed lines. The inlet area, where water enters the lake, often holds concentrations of walleye in spring because baitfish funnel through it.

Fall (September through October) mirrors spring in many ways: water temperature drops from the 70s into the 50s, walleye feed aggressively before winter, and the weeds begin to thin. Fish the same depths and structure as spring, but focus on the deeper holes—walleye often stage in 15 to 20 feet of water in mid-fall before moving to their winter haunts. Jigs and live minnows work well; so do crankbaits that reach the 8 to 12-foot zone.

Summer fishing: patience and deep holes

Summer is the season most anglers avoid on Grace Lake, and for good reason. By mid-June, aquatic plants cover much of the lake, oxygen levels in the deeper water drop, and walleye retreat to the few holes deeper than 25 feet. These holes are scattered and not always easy to find without a good map and a depth finder. If you fish summer, focus your effort on the deepest basin in the lake and fish early (5 a.m. to 9 a.m.) or late (8 p.m. to dark) when walleye move shallower to feed.

Pike, by contrast, thrive in summer weeds. If you want action during the warm months, target pike in the shallow weed beds using large topwater plugs, spinnerbaits, or soft plastics. Early morning and dusk produce the most strikes. Many anglers who fish Grace Lake in summer focus on pike and accept that walleye will be a bonus rather than the main event.

Winter ice fishing and the deeper pockets

Once the lake freezes (usually by mid-December), Grace Lake becomes a different fishery. The shallow weeds no longer matter; instead, walleye concentrate in the deeper holes where oxygen levels remain stable. A good map or GPS unit is essential—you need to know where those 25 to 30-foot holes sit. Drill multiple holes and use a depth finder to confirm you are in the right zone.

Live minnows under a tip-up work well, as do small jigging spoons tipped with minnow heads. The bite is often slow, but the fish are there. Pike also winter in the deeper water and can be caught on the same rigs. Many anglers fish Grace Lake in winter specifically because the shallow structure that makes summer difficult becomes irrelevant, and the lake fishes more like a traditional deep walleye lake.

Tackle and technique for shallow, weedy water

Grace Lake demands tackle that handles vegetation without fouling. Use a slip bobber rig with a live minnow in 6 to 15 feet of water—the bobber keeps your bait above the weeds and lets you adjust depth quickly. Jigs (1/4 to 1/2 ounce) tipped with minnows or soft plastics work well along weed edges; cast parallel to the vegetation rather than into it, and work the jig slowly through the zone where weeds thin out.

For pike, larger presentations work better. Spinnerbaits (1/2 to 3/4 ounce), large soft plastics (4 to 6 inches), and topwater plugs all produce strikes in the shallow weed beds. Pike in shallow lakes like Grace often hit aggressively, so do not be afraid to use bright colors and make noise. A 7-foot medium-heavy rod gives you the backbone to set the hook in weeds and horse a pike away from vegetation.

Access and regulations

Grace Lake has a public boat launch on the north shore, accessible via County Road 6. The launch is maintained by Beltrami County and is open year-round, though winter access depends on road conditions. There is no fee to launch, but you must display a valid Minnesota fishing license and a Beltrami County fishing stamp on your boat.

Check the current Minnesota DNR fishing regulations for walleye and pike limits before you fish—regulations change, and Beltrami County sometimes has special rules that differ from the statewide standard. The DNR website (mndnr.gov) has the most current information, and you can also call the Beltrami County DNR office. Walleye are typically catch-and-release or slot-limit fish on many Minnesota lakes, so confirm the current rule for Grace Lake.

Nearby lakes and alternative options

If Grace Lake is too weedy for your preference or if you want to explore the area, several other Beltrami County lakes offer different character. Bemidji Lake, just south of Grace, is larger and deeper, with more open water and a different walleye population. Cass Lake, to the east, is a major fishery with walleye, northern pike, and lake trout. Each lake has its own rhythm and season; many anglers fish multiple lakes in the same trip to match conditions and mood.

Grace Lake itself is worth returning to across seasons. The shallow, weedy character that makes it challenging in summer becomes an asset in spring and fall. If you fish it in the right season with the right technique, you will find consistent walleye and pike action that rewards patience and attention to structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fish Grace Lake year-round?

Yes. Spring and fall offer the easiest fishing; summer is difficult but possible if you focus on deep holes and pike; winter ice fishing can be excellent once the lake freezes solid. Most anglers fish Grace Lake most actively from April through May and September through October.

What size walleye and pike should I expect to catch?

Walleye typically run 14 to 18 inches, with occasional fish to 22 inches. Pike average 20 to 28 inches and are more common than large walleye. Grace Lake is not known for trophy fish, but it produces steady action on keeper-sized fish across the year.

Do I need a boat to fish Grace Lake?

A boat makes fishing much easier because the lake is large and structure is scattered. Shore fishing is possible near the inlet and outlet, but you will cover more water and find fish more consistently from a boat. The public launch is well-maintained and easy to use.

What is the best bait for walleye on Grace Lake?

Live minnows (shiners or chubs, 3 to 4 inches) work best under a slip bobber or on a jig. Soft plastics and crankbaits also produce, especially in fall. Pike respond better to larger presentations like spinnerbaits and topwater plugs.

How deep should I fish in summer?

Target the deepest holes in the lake—typically 25 to 30 feet. Use a map or GPS to locate these pockets, and fish early morning or late evening when walleye move shallower. If you cannot find the deep holes, focus on pike in the shallow weeds instead.