HEREGrandRapids
Grand Rapids MI
Fishing
Report
Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, MDNR regulations, and community fishing coverage for Kent lakes and rivers.
Bass: Hot Bite Crappie: Active Catfish: Active 8 Waters Profiled
First Look • Fishing Conditions
🌘
Waning Crescent
Illumination: 21%
55°F
45°F
13 mph
1005
as of 9:55 PM ET
Very Good — decreasing moon builds toward new moon peak. Dawn and dusk feeding surges expected.
Kent • West Michigan MI
Your Local Fishing Resource
HEREGrandRapids is your local source for fishing reports, conditions, and MDNR regulations across Kent. Use the waters list to find lakes, rivers, and reservoirs near you, the regulations section for current limits, and the guides directory to book a trip.
Current Conditions • Grand Rapids Waters
Species Status
Largemouth Bass
HOT
Fall feeding frenzy. Bass are chasing shad and blueback herring. Crankbaits and swimbaits dominate.
Top BaitCrankbait, Swimbait, Jig
Depth10-20 ft structure
Smallmouth Bass
FAIR
River smallmouth in deeper holes and pools. Slower presentations required.
Top BaitTube Jig, Crawfish Pattern, Ned Rig
DepthShoal tail-outs, 3-12 ft
Crappie
FAIR
Summer or late fall. Fish are deeper — target 12-20 ft brush piles with tube jigs.
Top BaitSmall Tube Jig, Live Minnow, Slip Float
Depth12-20 ft brush
Catfish
FAIR
Winter catfish are catchable but slower. Concentrate in deepest lake holes and river pools.
Top BaitCut Shad, Chicken Liver, Prepared Stink Bait
DepthChannel edges, 10-30 ft
Bluegill / Bream
FAIR
Bluegill in slower mode. Small jigs under a float near dock pilings and woody structure.
Top BaitCricket, Worm, Small Jig (1/32 oz)
DepthSpawning: 1-4 ft. Non-spawn: dock edges 4-10 ft
Trout
ACTIVE
Trout active in stocked waters. Cold water temperatures keep fish feeding.
Top BaitPowerBait, Night Crawler, Inline Spinner
DepthStocked areas — designated lakes and streams
Species status is based on seasonal patterns and current conditions for Kent waters. Always verify MDNR regulations for creel limits, size minimums, and any current advisories before heading out.
Report a Bite Update
First Look
Weather & Fishing Conditions
55F
Cloudy
Feels like 55°F
as of 9:55 PM ET
Wind
13 mph WSW
Humidity
87%
Pressure
1005 hPa
Est. Water Temp
45°F
Moon
Waning Crescent
Sunrise / Sunset
7:21 am / 5:31 pm
Location
Grand Rapids, MI
On-the-Water Tips
- Conditions are average today. Fish will bite — focus on structure, work the dawn bite, and let the fish tell you the depth.
Solunar Index
Fishing Conditions Dashboard
Air Temperature
55°F
Too Hot — Dawn/Dusk
Wind Speed
13 mph
Gusty — Windy Bank
Barometric Pressure
1005 hPa
Low — Fish Deep
Moon Phase
🌘
Good
Extended Outlook
5-Day Fishing Forecast
TONIGHT
Scattered Rain Showers
57° / 47°
12 mph wind
FAIR
THU
Rain Showers
55° / 39°
12 mph wind
FAIR
FRI
Chance Rain Showers
49° / 34°
9 mph wind
FAIR
SAT
Mostly Sunny
52° / 33°
6 mph wind
FAIR
SUN
Sunny
56° / 37°
8 mph wind
FAIR
Lakes & Rivers
Water Body Profiles
8 fishing waters within Kent — with species, access, tips, and restrictions.
Grand River
River (Michigan's longest river)
Angler Tip
Reeds Lake
Freshwater all-sports lake
Angler Tip
Rogue River
River (Grand River tributary)
Angler Tip
Wabasis Lake
Inland all-sports lake (county park)
Angler Tip
Murray Lake
All-sports freshwater lake
Angler Tip
Bostwick Lake
All-sports freshwater lake
Angler Tip
Lincoln Lake
Inland lake (largest in Kent County)
Angler Tip
Lake Michigan (via Grand Haven / Holland)
Great Lake
Angler Tip
Did We Miss a Spot?
Know a Grand Rapids-area fishing lake, pond, or river stretch that should be on this list? Let us know.
Report a Fishing SpotLocal Experts
Field Guides
No Grand Rapids-area fishing guides are listed yet.
Guide Service or Charter Captain?
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Community
Here We...
Reel Them In...
Big catches, personal bests, and tournament fish from Grand Rapids anglers.
Cast Them Cold...
Your favorite post-fishing spots. Where do you go when the rods are stowed?
Coverage
Fishing News HERE
Local — Grand Rapids and West Michigan
Local
DNR Launches 3-Year Study After 27 Lake Sturgeon Stranded
ONTONAGON, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has started a three-year effort to learn why 27 threatened lake sturgeon ended up cut off in shallow pools below a hydroelectric dam in the western Upper Peninsula this summer, and whether it will keep happening. The fish were found below Victoria Dam in a channel
Nov 4, 2026
Local
Invasive Mudsnails Turn Up in Southern Michigan
KENT COUNTY, Mich. — A tiny invasive snail that has spread through several of northern Michigan's best-known trout rivers has now been found in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula for the first time, state invasive species officials said Monday. New Zealand mudsnails were collected in Bear Creek, a small coldwater stream that feeds
Nov 3, 2026
Local
DNR Uses DNA Tests to Gauge Walleye Stocking Success
MARQUETTE, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is rolling genetic parentage tests into walleye stocking checks statewide after a Upper Peninsula pilot showed the multimillion-dollar program can succeed in one lake and barely register in others. Biologists briefed the Natural Resources Commission in Marquette this week on parentage-based tagging, which matches DNA from
Oct 17, 2026
More at Outdoor Sports
Hunting, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for Grand Rapids and West Michigan MI
Tackle, Rods and Reels
Essential Gear HERE
Gear reviews and picks for the Grand Rapids angler — rods, reels, tackle, and kayaks tested for West Michigan MI waters.
Gear Reviews — Tested for West Michigan MI Waters
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Learn About Gear AdvertisingMDNR
MDNR Regulations
License requirements, bag limits, and size limits for Kent waters. Always verify current regulations at michigan.gov.
MI Fishing Licenses
Bag & Size Limits — Grand Rapids Waters
Regulations shown are for general reference (checked 2026-10-16). Special rules apply on many individual lakes and rivers. Always verify current rules with Michigan Department of Natural Resources at michigan.gov before keeping fish.
Spawn Timing & Key Dates
Season Calendar
Apr 21–29, 2026
Walleye stocked: Grand River
Knapp St., West River Dr. and Lowell sites (MDNR stocking database).
Apr 22–24, 2026
Coho & steelhead stocked: Rogue River
42,438 coho and Michigan-strain rainbow trout at Jerico Rd. (MDNR stocking database).
Apr 25, 2026
Trout opener; Lower Peninsula walleye & pike
Statewide trout opener and the inland Lower Peninsula walleye and northern pike openers (MDNR).
May 7, 2026
Brown trout stocked: Buck Creek
4,500 brown trout at each of two sites (MDNR stocking database).
May 23, 2026
Bass possession season opens
Most waters; Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair and Detroit rivers open June 20 (MDNR).
Jun 6, 2026
Muskellunge possession season opens
Statewide muskie possession opener (MDNR).
Feb 14–15, 2026
Free Fishing Weekend
Fishing licenses waived; all other rules apply (MDNR).
Jun 13–14, 2026
Free Fishing Weekend
Fishing licenses waived; all other rules apply (MDNR).
Spawn timing is approximate and based on typical Kent water temperature patterns. Actual timing varies by year and water body. MDNR trout stocking schedules are published annually — visit michigan.gov for exact dates and stocking locations.
Questions and Answers
Fishing FAQ
Common questions about fishing in the Grand Rapids area, answered.
-
Yes. Anglers 17 and older need a Michigan fishing license to fish public waters; anglers under 17 may fish without one but must follow all fishing rules. Licenses are sold by the Michigan DNR (michigan.gov/dnr).
-
The Grand River is the centerpiece. MDNR lists the Grand River below the Sixth Street Dam in Grand Rapids as a spring steelhead spot, along with the Rogue River below the Rockford Dam and the Flat River below the King Mill Dam in Lowell. MDNR stocked walleye in the Grand River at its Knapp St., West River Dr. and Lowell sites in late April 2026, and stocked 21,480 walleye in Lincoln Lake on June 9, 2026.
-
Yes. Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation rents kayaks at Riverside Park, which has an accessible kayak launch, a protected lagoon with calm water, and access to the Grand River. Rentals run on summer weekends; the city listed rates of $5 an hour for youth and $10 an hour for adults. Check the city's kayaking page for the current schedule and any closures.
-
MDNR recommends the Grand River below the Sixth Street Dam for steelhead. Nearby, MDNR stocked the Rogue River at Jerico Rd. with 42,438 coho salmon (April 22, 2026) and Michigan-strain rainbow trout (April 23 and 24, 2026), and stocked brown trout at three Rogue River sites on May 26, 2026. The Flat River at its Main St. site received 5,295 rainbow trout on April 28, 2026. Michigan's trout possession season on most streams opens the last Saturday in April (April 25 in 2026).
-
Yes, in nearby Kent County streams. MDNR's 2026 records include brown trout in Buck Creek (4,500 fish at each of two sites on May 7), rainbow and brown trout in the Rogue River (April and May), brown and rainbow trout in the Coldwater River (May 6), and rainbow trout in the Flat River (April 28). Michigan's trout possession season on most streams opens the last Saturday in April (April 25 in 2026).
FISHING NEWS NEAR GRAND RAPIDS MI
Fishing coverage from the 10 closest HERE cities.
Latest Grand Rapids Fishing News
DNR Launches 3-Year Study After 27 Lake Sturgeon Stranded
ONTONAGON, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has started a three-year effort to learn why 27 threatened lake sturgeon ended up cut off in shallow pools…
Invasive Mudsnails Turn Up in Southern Michigan
KENT COUNTY, Mich. — A tiny invasive snail that has spread through several of northern Michigan's best-known trout rivers has now been found in the southern half of…
DNR Uses DNA Tests to Gauge Walleye Stocking Success
MARQUETTE, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is rolling genetic parentage tests into walleye stocking checks statewide after a Upper Peninsula pilot showed the multimillion-dollar program…
DNR Pike Rules Open Otsego Marsh, Lift Small-Fish Caps
LANSING, Mich. — Fresh DNR northern pike rules that took hold Oct. 15 reopen Otsego County marsh water year-round and let anglers keep more smaller pike on four…
