Fish Ladder Park

Park · Grand Rapids

Fish Ladder Park

Park · Grand Rapids

606 Front Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Highlights

Watch salmon migrate up ladder, fish in river or relax

606 Front Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 Get directions

grandrapidsmi.gov

@onthegrid

On the Grid : Fish Ladder Park

"A long time ago, the rapids in the Grand River were pretty grand. Now, thanks to a dam built where the river flows through downtown, it’s a little more controlled, but still mighty pretty. Come early fall, pull up a spot at the fish ladder to watch steelhead, coho and salmon swim their way up stream. Or, if you packed your waders, join the dozens of fisherman gathered at the dam looking to reel in a big one." - Visualhero

https://onthegrid.city/grand-rapids/west-side/fish-ladder-park

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@onthegrid

"Fish Ladder Park, West Side. A long time ago, the rapids in the Grand River were pretty grand. Now, thanks to a dam built where the river flows through downtown, it’s a little more controlled, but still mighty pretty. Come early fall, pull up a spot at the fish ladder to watch steelhead, coho and salmon swim their way up stream. Or, if you packed your waders, join the dozens of fisherman gathered at the dam looking to reel in a big one."

Grand Rapids

View Postcard for Fish Ladder Park

@onthegrid

Grand Rapids

View Postcard for Fish Ladder Park

Brian Dible

Google

This place was pretty cool to see. If I'm correct they are working on funding to improve the place. The restroom facilities are not the greatest, but are there. There was a fish cleaning station which I thought was cool. It was neat to see the ladder and watch people fish. The water isn't very deep, but the undercurrent right at the dam seemed to be very dangerous.

Erin Papow

Google

Very cool place! Check it out if you're in the area. The fish weren't using the ladder when were were there but you're still able to fish and see all sorts of fish just swimming beneath the lookout areas.

Axel Adams

Google

It had trash on the ground and smelled due to people smoking stuff. Otherwise it was a nice view of the water, buildings surrounding, and the bridge(s). There also was some sort of trash pile of wood and blue drums on the water bank near the boat launch but it could have been an abandoned raft as well, hard to tell.

Corrin Rodriguez

Google

This is one of my and my husband's favorite places to come and take walks and enjoy the beautiful scenery. We also love to go fishing near here! Just remember that there is no fishing allowed in the Fish Ladder itself!!!! We just came today and walked around a little bit south of the Fish Ladder and found a lot of usable and fixable lures, and also some very pretty shells. If you haven't visited Fish Ladder Park yet, I highly recommend it! If you have been here before, I also highly recommend you come back again soon! This place is so beautiful, and relaxing.

Lily

Google

I love the fish ladder. We love to see the salmon run and take in nature. There are always fishermen outside and It's a beautiful peaceful place for a walk right on the Grand River. There's path you can walk along the Grand River and take in the views. There are restrooms at the entrance and a place to clean fish. But the area mainly the parking and entrance that definitely needs clean up. it always seems really trashed not very nice to look at. But otherwise a very beautiful place to take a walk and enjoy the fish.

Brian Fowler

Google

I like the fish ladder. I came here with a friend and she had never been here before, just had been mentioning about it from her dad. 10/10 is a lot better when it's warmer towards the evening. A lot of bugs though, stay protected.

Shawn Lubbers

Google

It was fun to go and watch the fish either succeeding up the ladder or not and trying again. Nice to see architectural art melding into nature. There is a walk way so that you can view the Grand river, the fishermen and the outline of the city. It's free to go. It was a bit busy but this is the time of year that the fish are going upstream and Art Prize is happening right now. We were still able to see the fish. They were really fast so I was not able to get a shot of the fish. It was still a cool experience.

Jared Whetstone

Google

This park is kept very clean. You can feel very safe at this park. There are bathrooms but they are not usable at this time! It is a beautiful view of the Grand River and you see a lot of fish attempting to climb the ladder it is very cool to watch. There is no cost to get into this park there is not a great deal of parking but usually is not too crowded. Had a great time with my dog and my wife. I highly recommend this as a place to stop and check out when you're in Grand rapids.