Upper Red Lake

Upper Red Lake

Size
119,322ac
Boat Launch
No
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Upper Red Lake
Walleye
Walleye
Crappie
Crappie
Northern pike
Northern pike
Perch
Perch
Sturgeon
Sturgeon
Rock bass
Rock bass
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Bluegill
Bluegill

Overview

Upper Red Lake Map

Fishing Regulations

Special Fishing regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.

  • Northern Pike: All from 30-40” must be immediately released. Possession limit three, only one over 40”.
  • Walleye: Beginning May 10, 2025 through November 14, 2025, the daily and possession limit is five. Only one over 17” allowed in possession. Beginning November 15, 2025 through February 22, 2026 , the daily and possession limit is four. Only one over 17” allowed in possession.
  • The fish carcass retention requirements are still in effect. See page 37 of the Minnesota Fishing Regulations booklet.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • A person’s statewide bag limit may not include more than current bag limit of Red Lake walleye
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
2-3 in
Length Range
3 in
Length Range
2013
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2013
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2007
Jul
2013
Jul
Crappie
fish
8-23 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.2
0Statewide Range12.6668

Upper Red Lake Crappie abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Jul
2024
Jul
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized crappie based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202314
202214
202014
201714
201614
Largemouth bass
fish
13-14 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2010
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2010
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2010
Jul
Northern pike
fish
8-23 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
1.1
0Statewide Range19.75

Upper Red Lake Northern pike abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Jul
2024
Jul
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized northern-pike based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202141
201943
201740
Perch
fish
8-23 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
11.4
0Statewide Range43.5833

Upper Red Lake Perch abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Jul
2024
Jul
Rock bass
fish
8-23 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.05
0Statewide Range6.5668

Upper Red Lake Rock bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2022
Jul
2024
Jul
Sturgeon
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
0.05
0Statewide Range1.7371

Upper Red Lake Sturgeon abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Walleye
fish
8-23 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Outlier
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
43.8
0Statewide Range16.9168

Upper Red Lake Walleye abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Jul
2024
Jul
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized walleye based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202129