Red Lake River Fishing
Polk County and 3 other counties, Red Lake River State Water Trail.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo, nearby stand in for Red Lake River: Jimmy Dreger, CC BY-SA 3.0
The short version on the Red Lake River
The Red Lake River is a Minnesota river with its course in Polk County and 3 other counties. About 192 miles are mapped in Minnesota. Goodridge is the closest Census city, roughly 9 miles away. The Red Lake River State Water Trail follows it.
Readings come from 4 active gauges. There are 19 public accesses along it.
The Red Lake River at the latest reading
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Red Lake River Near Red Lake, Mn | 32 cfs, 68.21 ft gage height | Nov 12 4:30 am |
| Red Lake River At High Landing Nr Goodridge, Mn | 276 cfs, 3.18 ft gage height | Nov 12 5:00 am |
| Red Lake River At Crookston, Mn | 1,410 cfs, 6.43 ft gage height | Nov 12 5:00 am |
| Red Lake River At Fisher, Mn | 1,530 cfs, 13.55 ft gage height | Nov 12 4:30 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 5:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Launching on the Red Lake River
- Red Lake River, Neptune Bridge Access1 ramp, 4 trailer stalls, Pennington County, river mile 175.1
- Red Lake River, Co Rd 3 Bridge Accesscarry-in access, Pennington County, river mile 166.8
- Red Lake River, High Landing Access1 ramp, 2 trailer stalls, Pennington County, river mile 163.4
- Red Lake River, Kratka Crossing Accesscarry-in access, Pennington County, river mile 150.6
- Red Lake River, Smiley Bridge Access1 ramp, 2 trailer stalls, Pennington County, river mile 140.9
- Red Lake River, Hwy 1 Access1 ramp, 8 trailer stalls, 1 dock, Pennington County, river mile 128.6
- Red Lake River, Hwy 59 Access1 ramp, 10 trailer stalls, 1 dock, Pennington County, river mile 128.1
- Red Lake River, Oakland Park Access1 ramp, Pennington County, river mile 126.9
- Red Lake River, Mill Yard Park Accesscarry-in access, Pennington County, river mile 125
- Red Lake River, St. Hilaire City Park Access1 ramp, 5 trailer stalls, Pennington County, river mile 114.8
- Red Lake River, Voyageur's View Accesscarry-in access, Red Lake County, river mile 93.9
- Clearwater River, Sportsman Park Access1 ramp, 5 trailer stalls, toilet, Red Lake County, river mile 93
- Red Lake River, Huot Park Access1 ramp, 5 trailer stalls, toilet, Red Lake County, river mile 79.5
- Red Lake River, Gentilly Public Water Access Access1 ramp, Polk County, river mile 67
- Red Lake River, US Hwy 2/Hwy 9 Public Water Access Access1 ramp, Polk County, river mile 60
- Red Lake River, Central Park Access1 ramp, 5 trailer stalls, toilet, Polk County, river mile 55.5
- Red Lake River, Hwy 75 By-pass Access1 ramp, 10 trailer stalls, Polk County, river mile 51
- Red Lake River, Fisher Landing Accesscarry-in access, Polk County, river mile 27.9
- Red Lake River, Red River Rec. Area Access1 ramp, 12 trailer stalls, Polk County, river mile 0.3
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Kittle route lines, USGS gauges.
Lakes and pools on the Red Lake River
- Red Lake River Reservoir97 acres
Fish you may keep from the Red Lake River
The DNR posts no rule for the Red Lake River by name.
| 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 |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
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Neighbor lakes around Red Lake River
- Red Lake River Reservoir10 miles
Bait and tackle closest to Red Lake River
- L & M Fleet Supplyfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Thief River Falls, 10 miles
Minnesota towns closest to Red Lake River
- Goodridge9 miles
- Thief River Falls10 miles
- Plummer11 miles
- St. Hilaire12 miles
Rivers one stop past the Red Lake River
- Poplar River29 miles
- Moose River30 miles
- Sand Hill River42 miles
- Tamarac River, Marshall County44 miles
Red Lake River, county lines
- Polk County
- Pennington County
- Red Lake County
- Clearwater County
Piscifun gear suited to the Red Lake River
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Handy answers on the Red Lake River
Through which counties does the Red Lake River run?
Look in Polk County, Pennington County, Red Lake County and Clearwater County.
Do I need a trout stamp on the Red Lake River?
It is outside the trout stream layer.
What is the Red Lake River discharge today?
The 4 USGS gauges readings sit above.
Is there a boat launch on the Red Lake River?
19 public accesses, such as Red Lake River, Hwy 59 Access.
Are there bait limits on the Red Lake River?
No special DNR rule; the statewide rows apply.
Do kids need a license on the Red Lake River?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Is there a bait and tackle stop near the Red Lake River?
L & M Fleet Supply, roughly 10 miles from the midpoint.
Which town sits near the Red Lake River?
The closest Census city is Goodridge (9 miles).
Which fish can I hook in the Red Lake River?
Expect walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass.
Spend a morning on the Red Lake River
Limits and flow are on this page.