Getting out in nature to go fishing is easy to do in the East Grand Forks, Minnesota, area. Whether you want to go fly fishing on a river, cast a line from the shores of a lake, or take a boat out to a hidden island for deep water fishing, check out these six awesome fishing spots.
Red River State Recreation Area
Right on the edge of East Grand Forks and on the banks of the Red River of the North and Red Lake Rivers, you’ll find the Red River State Recreation Area. This greenway features hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, a 113-site campground, and plenty of waterways to fish and boat from. The area is surrounded by forest and prairie land and is home to a variety of wildlife, bird, and fish species.
Not only can you catch favorites such as channel catfish, smallmouth, and largemouth bass, but this riverine ecosystem is also home to lake sturgeon, northern pike, black crappie, walleye, and a variety of lake trout. If you enjoy ice fishing during the winter months, Upper Red Lake is the perfect spot for walleye. Please keep in mind that the Lower Red Lake area is tribal waters and you’ll need to hire a local tribal Chippewa guide to fish in this area.
Larimore Dam and Recreational Area
Pack up the family and your fishing gear and head about 30 miles west of East Grand Forks to Larimore Dam and Recreational Area. This family-friendly recreation area features nature trails to explore, bicycle paths, and a 144-site campground. Kids of all ages can enjoy playing baseball, sand volleyball, basketball, and horseshoes. There’s even a nine-hole golf course and a 26-acre arboretum.
Of course, fishing takes the spotlight here. Behind the dam, which is 66-feet high, the pool covers 72 acres where you can fish from shore, the pier, or you can launch a nonmotorized boat to fish the deeper parts of the pool. Try your hand at fishing for walleye, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, bullheads, and perch. During the winter you can go sledding or snowshoe along the trails surrounding the pool, and you can go ice fishing with other locals who enjoy this winter sport.
Ryan Park Pond
Just 6 miles from town in North Dakota, you and the kids can go fishing at Ryan Park Pond. This is a great place for kids to learn how to fish from the numerous piers scattered around the 3-acre pond. With a maximum depth of 16 feet, you can catch favorites such as bluegill, crappie, panfish, perch, northern pike, and largemouth bass. After a couple of hours of fishing, take a hike on the trail surrounding the pond, and then have lunch at one of the picnic areas./p>
Turtle River State Park
Just 23 miles west of East Grand Forks is the 784-acre Turtle River State Park. This stunning park has over 12 miles of hiking trails that take you through hardwood, deciduous, and conifer forests. Many of the trails meandering along the Turtle River where anglers can fly fish for stocked rainbow and brown trout as well as northern pike. If you forgot your fishing gear, you can borrow some from the rangers at the park office. Plan on spending a few quiet days at turtle River State Park by camping or renting a cabin that has electricity, flushing toilets, and hot water showers.
The park was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps and as you wander the trails you’ll notice beautiful stone bridges and log buildings. The park is open year-round and the visitor center hosts special events throughout the year including fishing derbies. Sign up for one of these fishing denies and see how well you do at catching trout.
Buffalo River State Park
Plan a couple of days to go fishing at Buffalo River State Park about 90 miles south of East Grand Forks. Enjoy visiting a vast prairie with grouse, bobolinks, prairie chickens, and upland sandpipers. Bring your fishing gear and fish along the shores of the Buffalo River where you can catch smallmouth bass and stocked brown and rainbow trout. Anglers can also catch perch, channel catfish, and sunfish, bluegill, and northern pike. You can either wade fish to get to deeper holes, take a kayak, or canoe and drift down the Buffalo River.
Bring your RV and camp at one of the 44 drive-through sites that have water, electricity, and a fire ring. Showers and toilets are available for all campers.
Icelandic State Park
Head north about 88 miles towards the Canadian border to fish at Icelandic State Park. One of the highlights of this 912-acre park is Lake Renwick as well as the historical buildings found in the Pioneer Heritage Center. The center hosts seasonal events that show you what homesteading life was like in North Dakota in the 1800s. Before or after a day of fishing, walk through the Gunlogson Nature Preserve and stroll along the Tongue River looking for bird species such as the pileated woodpecker and western wood-pewee.
Anglers enjoy fishing for northern pike, bluegill, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, walleye, and tiger muskie. Kids will enjoy swimming in the lake and there’s a concession stand near the swimming beach. You can rent canoes, kayaks, or paddleboards, so you can explore the lake and fish the deeper waters in the center of the lake. Stay for a few days at one of the campgrounds or rent one of the three rustic log cabins. If you decide to stay in the town of Pembina, you’ll find charming hotels and nice little places to eat like the Blue Fox Coffeehouse or the Bean and Brush.
What Are Your Favorite Fishing Spots?
We hope you were able to catch some fish at these awesome fishing spots near East Grand Forks. What was your personal best? Where is your favorite place to fish? Did we miss a hidden fishing hole that you’d like to let us know about? If so, drop us a line and we’ll add it to our list.
Connect with us
