Fishing near Grand Rapids, Michigan
Kent County, population 198,917.
- 3 milesto nearest lake
- 8launches nearby
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo, nearby stand in for Grand Rapids: NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, CC BY-SA 2.0
A fishing base in Grand Rapids
Kent County includes Grand Rapids, a city with 198,917 residents as of 2020. Drive roughly 3 miles east and you reach Reeds Lake, the closest lake page. Size leader among the lakes below: Green Lake, Allegan County at 298 acres. Riverside Park #2 is the nearest launch with a page, about 3 miles out.
Roughly 6 miles separates town from the Indian Mill Creek, the closest trout stream page. For fishing from shore, head 2 miles to Reeds Lake fishing site, East Grand Rapids.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Lake options from Grand Rapids
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | Satellite clarity | Trout Type | Fish on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reeds Lake | 3 miles east | 270 | 0 | 6.5 ft (2023) | bullhead, carp, crappie | |
| Pickerel Lake, Kent County | 12 miles northeast | 67 | 0 | 7.8 ft (2023) | carp, catfish, crappie | |
| Campau Lake | 13 miles southeast | 82 | 1 | 5.1 ft (2023) | ||
| Bostwick Lake | 13 miles northeast | 213 | 0 | 10.1 ft (2023) | ||
| Green Lake, Allegan County | 15 miles south | 298 | 1 | 11.4 ft (2023) | black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass | |
| Camp Lake, Kent County | 15 miles north | 135 | 1 | 12.8 ft (2023) |
Stream fishing near Grand Rapids
- Plaster Creek6 miles
- Indian Mill Creek6 miles, Type 1
- Buck Creek7 miles, Type 4
- East Fork Sand Creek7 miles, Type 1
- Mill Creek, Kent County9 miles, Type 1
Straight-line distances from the Census point for Grand Rapids; EGLE lake layer, MDNR Fish Atlas and trout regulation Types.
Where to fish near Grand Rapids, on the map
- Riverside Park #2Grand River, 3 miles
- Riverside Park #3Grand River, 4 miles
- Johnson ParkGrand River, 6 miles
- Knapp Street Bridge Boat AccessGrand River, 7 miles
- Grandville Boat AccessGrand River, 7 miles
- Rogue River Mouth Boat AccessGrand River, 8 miles
- Ada Boat AccessGrand River, 9 miles
- Grand River ParkGrand River, 10 miles
Bank fishing around Grand Rapids
- Reeds Lake fishing site, East Grand RapidsReeds Lake, 2 miles
- Georgetown Township 8th Ave Park fishing site, Georgetown TownshipGeorgetown Township 8th Ave Park, 9 miles
- Grand River Park – Grand River plus pond fishing site, Georgetown TownshipGrand River Park – Grand River plus pond, 10 miles
- Bear Creek fishing site, CannonsburgBear Creek, 12 miles
- Pickeral Lake fishing site, CannonsburgPickeral Lake, 12 miles
- Eastmanville Bayou – Grand River fishing site, Allendale TownshipEastmanville Bayou – Grand River, 16 miles
Current river data near Grand Rapids
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Grand River At Grand Rapids, Mi | 1,710 cfs, 1.56 ft gage height | Oct 23 4:00 am |
| Plaster Creek At 28th Street At Grand Rapids, Mi | 11 cfs, 3.12 ft gage height | Oct 23 4:00 am |
| Grand River At N Park St Ne At Grand Rapids, Mi | 3.43 ft gage height | Oct 23 4:00 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 23, 2026 4:32 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Picking up minnows in Grand Rapids
Bait and tackle counters by Grand Rapids
- Tbn Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Grand Rapids, 2 miles
- Nomad Anglersbait and tackle shop, Grand Rapids, 4 miles
- Wyoming Gun & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Wyoming, 5 miles
- Sierra, 3631 28th St SEbait and tackle shop, Grand Rapids, 5 miles
- Gander Mountain, 2890 Acquest Ave SEbait and tackle shop, Grand Rapids, 6 miles
- Brenner's Servicebait and tackle shop, Comstock Park, 6 miles
- Rylee's Ace Hardware Incbait and tackle shop, Grand Rapids, 7 miles
- Sierra, 4910 Wilson Ave SWbait and tackle shop, Wyoming, 8 miles
A guided day on Grand Rapids
- Getting Bit Guide Servicecharter, Grand Rapids, (616) 570-2946
Tournament dates close to Grand Rapids
| Date | Event | Water | Fish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027-08-17 | Bonanza Bass Club opens | Campau Lake | Bass |
| 2027-08-17 | Bonanza bass club bass tournament | Campau Lake | Bass |
| 2026-09-08 | Taco Tuesday – Ne Gr – Evenings – Opens | Wabasis Lake | Bass |
| 2026-09-01 | Taco Tuesday – Ne Gr – Evenings – Opens | Big Pine Island Lake | Bass |
| 2026-08-26 | Wmb – Midweek Therapy – Grand Rapids – Evenings | Reeds Lake | Bass |
| 2026-08-19 | Wmb – Midweek Therapy – Grand Rapids – Evenings | Big Pine Island Lake | Bass |
| 2026-08-18 | Tuesday Morning Bass | Big Pine Island Lake | Bass |
| 2026-08-17 | Wmb – Cotm south | Reeds Lake | Bass |
| 2026-08-10 | Hilltop Sports Monday Nights | Wabasis Lake | Bass |
| 2026-08-09 | Wmb – Sunday Funday – East | Reeds Lake | Bass |
MDNR Fishing Tournament Information System, public registrations for Kent County, checked October 2026.
Record-book catches and plants by Grand Rapids
| Water | Species | Number | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bostwick Lake | Fathead minnow | 13 | 2025-11-19 |
| Bostwick Lake | Hybrid Sunfish | 650 | 2025-11-19 |
| Bostwick Lake | Walleye | 750 | 2025-11-19 |
| Campau Lake | Muskellunge | 188 | 2024-10-31 |
| Campau Lake | Channel catfish | 2,500 | 2024-06-18 |
DNR State Record Fish table and MDNR Fish Stocking Report (FSIS), 2024 to 2026.
Harvest rules close to Grand Rapids
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | 5 in any combination; minimum 14 inches | Possession: Sat. before Memorial Day – Dec. 31; catch-and-immediate-release open all year |
| Walleye (Lower Peninsula) | 5; minimum 15 inches | Last Sat. in April – March 15 |
| Northern pike (Lower Peninsula) | 2; minimum 24 inches | Last Sat. in April – March 15 |
| Muskellunge | Only 1 per angler per license year (April 1 – March 31); mandatory harvest registration within 24 hours; minimum 42 inches (46, 50 or 38 inches on listed waters) | Possession: 1st Sat. in June – March 15; catch-and-immediate-release open all year |
| Yellow perch | 25 | Open all year |
| Sunfish and crappie | 25 in any combination of the listed species | Open all year |
| Channel catfish | 10; minimum 12 inches | Open all year |
| Flathead catfish | 5; minimum 15 inches | Open all year |
| White bass | 10 | Open all year |
| Cisco and whitefish | 5 in any combination | Open all year |
| Burbot | 5 | Open all year |
| Trout in unclassified lakes | 5, no more than 3 of which may be 15 inches or greater; minimum 8 inches | Open all year |
2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations; walleye and pike rows for the Lower Peninsula. Lake pages show trout Types and any exception.
Places around Grand Rapids
Michigan towns a short drive from Grand Rapids
- East Grand Rapids3 miles
- Wyoming6 miles
- Walker6 miles
- Comstock Park6 miles
- Northview6 miles
Grand Rapids, county by county
- Kent Countyseat: Grand Rapids
What Piscifun sells for Grand Rapids anglers
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Water around Grand Rapids as the camera saw it
Photo: Lola Audu, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: bigmikesndtech, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Michiganguy123, CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers for anglers based in Grand Rapids
How many miles does Grand Rapids sit from a lake page?
Reeds Lake, 3 miles east.
Where do Grand Rapids boaters usually back in?
Try Riverside Park #2, 3 miles out.
Does Grand Rapids have a fishing pier within reach?
Reeds Lake fishing site, East Grand Rapids, roughly 2 miles.
Which bait counter serves Grand Rapids best?
Nearest on our list: Tbn Outfitters (2 miles).
Do the lakes around Grand Rapids record walleye?
Walleye are not on the lists of the closest lakes.
What Michigan county contains Grand Rapids?
Kent County.
How far is the first trout stream from Grand Rapids?
The Indian Mill Creek, roughly 6 miles, Type 1 water.
When can I keep pike near Grand Rapids?
It follows the Lower Peninsula season, opening Last Sat. in April.
Can a visitor to Grand Rapids buy a one-day Michigan license?
Daily license $10, nonresident annual $76.
Start a fishing trip in Grand Rapids
Each listed spot opens with directions.