Red Lake (Upper Red) Fishing
Beltrami County, 119,294 acres, 15 feet deep.
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First look at Red Lake (Upper Red)
The DNR lists Red Lake (Upper Red) as a lake covering 119,294 acres in Beltrami County. Soundings put the deepest water at 15 feet, with an average of 12 feet. About 40% of the lake, 47,681 acres, is under 15 feet deep. About 20 miles separate the lake from Kelliher. Surveys come from the Bemidji area fisheries office.
DNR surveys have recorded walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and lake whitefish. LakeFinder shows 2 accesses, unmapped. The newest catch data come from a large lake survey on July 1, 2025. Walleye numbers, 50.85 per gill net, landed above the range the DNR expects (3.3-14.8).
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These rows come from the large lake survey on July 1, 2025; the normal range is the DNR range for lakes of the same class.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 1,017 | 50.85 | 3.3-14.8 | 0.99 | 0.9-1.5 |
| Walleye | Survey seining | 1,597 | 99.81 | |||
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 20 | 1 | 0.9-4.3 | 3.09 | 2.4-4.3 |
| Northern pike | Survey seining | 3 | 0.19 | |||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 148 | 7.4 | 9.9-57.1 | 0.36 | 0.2-0.3 |
| Yellow perch | Survey seining | 5,011 | 313.19 | |||
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 4 | 0.2 | 0.1-0.7 | 1.31 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Black crappie | Survey seining | 39 | 2.44 | |||
| Lake whitefish | Survey seining | 62 | 3.88 |
Gill net totals, Red Lake (Upper Red)
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
The Red Lake (Upper Red) fishery in the DNR report
“Upper Red Lake is a 120,000 acre lake, 60% (72,000 acres) of which is under the jurisdiction of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians (Red Lake Band).”
“The remaining 40% (48,000 acres) falls under the jurisdiction of the State of Minnesota.”
“Walleye, the primary species sought by anglers, is managed under a cooperative plan with the Red Lake Band that establishes target harvest levels that vary according to the mature female population.”
“As a result, fishing regulations are frequently adjusted to achieve harvest levels within these targets.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Red Lake (Upper Red) (report). Checked October 2026.
Where trailers back down on Red Lake (Upper Red)
Red Lake (Upper Red) has these LakeFinder access rows: DNR (concrete) and DNR (concrete).
Fishing Red Lake (Upper Red) from shore
- Tamarack River Shore Fishing Siteshore fishing site, DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife, Tamarac River (W) Public Water Access Site
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Depth and shape of Red Lake (Upper Red)
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Red Lake (Upper Red) elevation
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Red Lake At Waskish, Mn | 73.47 ft gage height | Oct 19 7:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 19, 2026 8:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
US Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District (CWMS), reading for Oct 17, 2026. Retrieved Oct 19, 2026 8:33 pm ET.
USACE St. Paul District series Upper Red Lake at Waskish, MN, Waskish gauge; datum OTHER. Reading on file 1,173.6 ft on 2026-10-19.
The Red Lake (Upper Red) level history is a DNR volunteer gauge series, not a live feed.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Fish on record for Red Lake (Upper Red)
Species for Red Lake (Upper Red) come from DNR survey nets, so small or rare fish may be missing.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Bag and size limits on Red Lake (Upper Red)
Special and experimental regulations on Red Lake (Upper Red):
| Species | Regulation | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Pike | All from 30-40" must be immediately released. Possession limit three, only one over 40". | |
| Walleye | Beginning May 9, 2026 through November 14, 2026, the daily and possession limit is five; only one over 17" allowed in possession. Beginning November 15, 2026 through February 28, 2027, the daily and possession limit is four; only one over 17" allowed in possession. | |
| All species | A person's statewide bag limit may not include more than current bag limit of Red Lake walleye | |
| All species | State anglers: The actual boundary is not a true north-south line. To simplify, it's recommended that anglers stay east of the longitudinal coordinate of 94 deg. 43' 12.0" to ensure they are on state waters. | |
| All species | The fish carcass retention requirements are still in effect. See page 37 of the Minnesota Fishing Regulations booklet. | |
| All species | Those portions of Red Lake located within the Red Lake Indian Reservation are closed to non-band members except by special authorization of the tribal council. |
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (not more than 2 over 26", all from 22-26" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (either 2 northern pike over 26" and none from 22 to 26" or 1 from 22 to 26" and 1 over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
Map position places Red Lake (Upper Red) in the North-central Zone for pike and bass.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Red Lake (Upper Red) compared with its neighbors
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Lake (Upper Red) | 119,294 | 15 | 0 | 50.85 | |
| Bullhead Lake | 20 miles southeast | 36 | 17 | 1 | |
| Pine Lake, Koochiching County | 25 miles southeast | 8 | 44 | 0 | |
| Battle Lake, Koochiching County | 27 miles southeast | 286 | 8.5 | 0 | |
| Island Lake, Beltrami County | 27 miles southwest | 424 | 14 | 1 | |
| Bottle Lake | 28 miles southeast | 6 | 63 | 0 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Close by Red Lake (Upper Red)
Lakes a short haul from Red Lake (Upper Red)
- Bullhead Lake20 miles southeast
- Pine Lake, Koochiching County25 miles southeast
- Battle Lake, Koochiching County27 miles southeast
- Island Lake, Beltrami County27 miles southwest
- Bottle Lake28 miles southeast
Bait counters serving Red Lake (Upper Red)
- Northwoods Fish Housesbait and tackle shop, Kelliher, 8 miles
- Outdoor Authority Fish House Rentalsbait and tackle shop, Beltrami, 12 miles
- Hillman's Store & Bait Stationbait and tackle shop, Waskish, 12 miles
- Big Dick'sfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Kelliher, 20 miles
Places to bunk near Red Lake (Upper Red)
- Ponemah9 miles
- Redby19 miles
- Kelliher20 miles
Minnesota counties sharing Red Lake (Upper Red)
- Beltrami Countyseat: Bemidji
Spinning and baitcasting picks for Red Lake (Upper Red)
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Species in the nets at Red Lake (Upper Red)
Photo: Fizzishin, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Unknown, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Answers before you launch on Red Lake (Upper Red)
Where does Red Lake (Upper Red) sit on a Minnesota map?
The lake point falls in Beltrami County, managed from the Bemidji fisheries office, about 20 miles from Kelliher.
What acreage does LakeFinder give Red Lake (Upper Red)?
119,294 surface acres, 15 feet at the deepest.
Where is the public access on Red Lake (Upper Red)?
Access is listed without a map point (2 accesses).
Is Red Lake (Upper Red) a good panfish lake?
walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, lake whitefish and rock bass, per DNR surveys.
Is Red Lake (Upper Red) above normal for walleye?
A large lake survey on July 1, 2025; walleye ran 50.85 per gill net.
Is Red Lake (Upper Red) under experimental regulations?
Northern Pike: All from 30-40" must be immediately released. Possession limit three, only one over 40".; Walleye: Beginning May 9, 2026 through November 14, 2026, the daily and possession limit is five; only one over 17" allowed in possession. Beginning November 15, 2026 through Febru.
Do I need a Minnesota license for Red Lake (Upper Red)?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
When does Red Lake (Upper Red) freeze and thaw?
Neither ice dates nor clarity are published.
Where can I buy minnows near Red Lake (Upper Red)?
Closest on our list: Northwoods Fish Houses, 8 miles.
Hook up the trailer for Red Lake (Upper Red)
The license page lists every Minnesota limit.