Red (Upper Red)

Beltrami County, Minnesota — DOW #04003501

201 Surveys

Special Regulations for Red (Upper Red)

This lake has regulations that differ from statewide defaults. Always check before fishing.

All from 30-40" must be immediately released. Possession limit three, only one over 40".
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.
A person's statewide bag limit may not include more than current bag limit of Red Lake walleye
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.
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.

Invasive Species Alert

Red (Upper Red) has confirmed populations of:

zebra mussel

Clean, drain, and dry all equipment before moving to another water body. It's the law in Minnesota.

119,294.35

Acres

15 ft

Max Depth

12 ft

Mean Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Red (Upper Red). Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1986-09-01	Standard gill nets	0.8 (below normal)	0.9 – 4.3	1.90 lb	6
2011-07-01	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.9 – 4.3	2.22 lb	20
2011-07-01	Survey seining	0.1	—	—	2
2012-07-01	Standard gill nets	2.1 (normal)	0.9 – 4.3	2.79 lb	42
2012-07-01	Survey seining	1.0	—	—	29
2021-07-01	Standard gill nets	2.1 (normal)	0.9 – 4.3	2.60 lb	42
2021-07-01	Survey seining	0.1	—	—	3
2020-07-01	Standard gill nets	1.1 (normal)	0.9 – 4.3	2.40 lb	22
2020-07-01	Survey seining	0.2	—	—	4
2022-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.9 (normal)	0.9 – 4.3	4.05 lb	19
1989-09-30	Standard gill nets	2.0 (normal)	0.9 – 4.3	2.84 lb	16
1991-06-11	Standard gill nets	2.6 (normal)	0.9 – 4.3	2.06 lb	21
2000-09-30	Standard gill nets	2.7 (normal)	0.9 – 4.3	5.44 lb	54
2024-07-01	Standard gill nets	1.1 (normal)	0.9 – 4.3	2.54 lb	22
2024-07-01	Survey seining	0.1	—	—	1

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1986-09-01	Standard gill nets	5.1 (normal)	3.3 – 14.8	1.38 lb	41
2011-07-01	Survey seining	38.7	—	—	619
2011-07-01	Standard gill nets	45.2 (above normal)	3.3 – 14.8	1.00 lb	904
2012-07-01	Survey seining	13.2	—	—	397
2012-07-01	Standard gill nets	60.8 (above normal)	3.3 – 14.8	0.92 lb	1216
2021-07-01	Survey seining	38.0	—	—	760
2021-07-01	Standard gill nets	37.5 (above normal)	3.3 – 14.8	1.08 lb	751
2020-07-01	Survey seining	9.9	—	—	248
2020-07-01	Standard gill nets	43.6 (above normal)	3.3 – 14.8	1.22 lb	873
2022-07-01	Survey seining	166.3	—	—	2660
2022-07-01	Standard gill nets	44.6 (above normal)	3.3 – 14.8	0.99 lb	893
1989-09-30	Standard gill nets	24.4 (above normal)	3.3 – 14.8	1.32 lb	195
1991-06-11	Standard gill nets	11.4 (normal)	3.3 – 14.8	1.02 lb	91
2000-09-30	Standard gill nets	12.1 (normal)	3.3 – 14.8	1.22 lb	241
2024-07-01	Survey seining	36.8	—	—	589
2024-07-01	Standard gill nets	43.8 (above normal)	3.3 – 14.8	0.86 lb	876

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1986-09-01	Standard gill nets	3.5 (below normal)	9.9 – 57.1	0.36 lb	28
2011-07-01	Survey seining	96.4	—	—	1542
2011-07-01	Standard gill nets	20.1 (normal)	9.9 – 57.1	0.23 lb	401
2012-07-01	Survey seining	100.2	—	—	3005
2012-07-01	Standard gill nets	17.4 (normal)	9.9 – 57.1	0.28 lb	347
2021-07-01	Survey seining	277.9	—	—	5559
2021-07-01	Standard gill nets	8.8 (below normal)	9.9 – 57.1	0.27 lb	176
2020-07-01	Survey seining	145.4	—	—	3634
2020-07-01	Standard gill nets	13.3 (normal)	9.9 – 57.1	0.25 lb	265
2022-07-01	Survey seining	2.6	—	—	42
2022-07-01	Standard gill nets	13.4 (normal)	9.9 – 57.1	0.35 lb	268
1989-09-30	Standard gill nets	11.4 (normal)	9.9 – 57.1	0.18 lb	91
1991-06-11	Standard gill nets	7.3 (below normal)	9.9 – 57.1	0.24 lb	58
2000-09-30	Standard gill nets	58.3 (above normal)	9.9 – 57.1	0.11 lb	1165
2024-07-01	Survey seining	123.9	—	—	1982
2024-07-01	Standard gill nets	11.4 (normal)	9.9 – 57.1	0.32 lb	228

LKW

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1986-09-01	Standard gill nets	0.3 (above normal)	0.0 – 0.2	0.45 lb	2
2011-07-01	Survey seining	0.2	—	—	3
2011-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.3 (above normal)	0.0 – 0.2	1.35 lb	7
2012-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.2 (normal)	0.0 – 0.2	1.90 lb	4
2021-07-01	Survey seining	0.1	—	—	1
2022-07-01	Survey seining	0.3	—	—	5
1991-06-11	Standard gill nets	0.1 (normal)	0.0 – 0.2	0.20 lb	1
2000-09-30	Standard gill nets	1.8 (above normal)	0.0 – 0.2	0.61 lb	36
2024-07-01	Survey seining	0.9	—	—	14

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1986-09-01	Standard gill nets	1.4 (normal)	0.8 – 2.4	0.95 lb	11
2011-07-01	Survey seining	21.7	—	—	347
2011-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.7 (below normal)	0.8 – 2.4	1.75 lb	14
2012-07-01	Survey seining	11.3	—	—	339
2012-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	0.8 – 2.4	1.32 lb	9
2021-07-01	Survey seining	12.4	—	—	248
2021-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.7 (below normal)	0.8 – 2.4	1.40 lb	13
2020-07-01	Survey seining	10.2	—	—	254
2020-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.6 (below normal)	0.8 – 2.4	0.99 lb	11
2022-07-01	Survey seining	249.9	—	—	3999
2022-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.8 – 2.4	2.35 lb	8
1989-09-30	Standard gill nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.8 – 2.4	0.93 lb	3
1991-06-11	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.8 – 2.4	0.75 lb	2
2000-09-30	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.8 – 2.4	0.95 lb	16
2024-07-01	Survey seining	55.3	—	—	885
2024-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.8 – 2.4	1.66 lb	5

Freshwater Drum

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1986-09-01	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.8 – 11.9	0.70 lb	1
2011-07-01	Survey seining	0.3	—	—	5
2011-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.9 (normal)	0.8 – 11.9	1.54 lb	18
2012-07-01	Survey seining	7.7	—	—	230
2012-07-01	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.8 – 11.9	1.31 lb	20
2021-07-01	Survey seining	61.1	—	—	1222
2021-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.9 (normal)	0.8 – 11.9	1.30 lb	18
2020-07-01	Survey seining	15.9	—	—	397
2020-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.9 (normal)	0.8 – 11.9	1.67 lb	19
2022-07-01	Survey seining	2.0	—	—	32
2022-07-01	Standard gill nets	2.9 (normal)	0.8 – 11.9	1.29 lb	58
1989-09-30	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.8 – 11.9	0.74 lb	8
1991-06-11	Standard gill nets	0.9 (normal)	0.8 – 11.9	0.79 lb	7
2000-09-30	Standard gill nets	0.6 (below normal)	0.8 – 11.9	0.66 lb	12
2024-07-01	Survey seining	0.5	—	—	8
2024-07-01	Standard gill nets	1.9 (normal)	0.8 – 11.9	1.46 lb	38

GOE

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1986-09-01	Standard gill nets	0.5	—	0.55 lb	4
2011-07-01	Survey seining	0.1	—	—	2
2011-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.86 lb	4
2012-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	1.01 lb	7
2021-07-01	Standard gill nets	6.4	—	0.85 lb	128
2020-07-01	Survey seining	0.3	—	—	7
2020-07-01	Standard gill nets	5.8	—	0.70 lb	116
2022-07-01	Standard gill nets	3.9	—	0.98 lb	78
1991-06-11	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	0.30 lb	1
2024-07-01	Survey seining	0.3	—	—	4
2024-07-01	Standard gill nets	4.7	—	1.04 lb	93

Golden Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2011-07-01	Survey seining	3.1	—	50
2012-07-01	Survey seining	3.2	—	97
2021-07-01	Survey seining	2.3	—	45
2020-07-01	Survey seining	6.3	—	158
2022-07-01	Survey seining	4.8	—	77
2024-07-01	Survey seining	4.1	—	65

Spottail Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2011-07-01	Survey seining	686.4	—	10983
2012-07-01	Survey seining	124.5	—	3734
2021-07-01	Survey seining	116.2	—	2324
2020-07-01	Survey seining	130.2	—	3254
2022-07-01	Survey seining	131.3	—	2101
2024-07-01	Survey seining	61.8	—	988

QBS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2011-07-01	Survey seining	0.1	—	—	1
2011-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	5.96 lb	2
2012-07-01	Survey seining	1.8	—	—	54
2012-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	4.67 lb	1
2021-07-01	Survey seining	3.4	—	—	68
2021-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	4.70 lb	1
2020-07-01	Survey seining	0.2	—	—	5
2020-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	7.24 lb	1
2022-07-01	Survey seining	3.9	—	—	63
1989-09-30	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	0.90 lb	1
1991-06-11	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	1.70 lb	1
2024-07-01	Survey seining	0.1	—	—	2
2024-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	4.33 lb	3

Fathead Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2011-07-01	Survey seining	2.4	—	38
2012-07-01	Survey seining	0.3	—	8
2021-07-01	Survey seining	0.3	—	6
2020-07-01	Survey seining	1.0	—	26
2022-07-01	Survey seining	7.1	—	113
2024-07-01	Survey seining	0.4	—	6

EMS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2011-07-01	Survey seining	191.6	—	3065
2012-07-01	Survey seining	158.0	—	4741
2021-07-01	Survey seining	159.5	—	3190
2020-07-01	Survey seining	40.3	—	1007
2022-07-01	Survey seining	78.0	—	1248
2024-07-01	Survey seining	307.0	—	4912

Rock Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2011-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.1 – 1.1	0.65 lb	1
2012-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.1 (normal)	0.1 – 1.1	0.34 lb	2
2022-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.1 – 1.1	0.15 lb	1
2000-09-30	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.1 – 1.1	0.40 lb	1
2024-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.1 – 1.1	0.32 lb	1

Trout-Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2011-07-01	Survey seining	13.8	—	—	220
2012-07-01	Survey seining	26.0	—	—	779
2012-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	0.01 lb	1
2021-07-01	Survey seining	67.7	—	—	1353
2020-07-01	Survey seining	16.8	—	—	421
2022-07-01	Survey seining	20.6	—	—	330
2024-07-01	Survey seining	22.3	—	—	357

Common Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2011-07-01	Survey seining	16.6	—	266
2012-07-01	Survey seining	0.3	—	9
2021-07-01	Survey seining	1.3	—	26
2020-07-01	Survey seining	3.8	—	96
2022-07-01	Survey seining	5.4	—	86
2024-07-01	Survey seining	0.9	—	14

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2011-07-01	Survey seining	0.1	—	1
2024-07-01	Survey seining	0.2	—	3

RVS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2011-07-01	Survey seining	131.3	—	2101
2012-07-01	Survey seining	25.0	—	749
2021-07-01	Survey seining	64.0	—	1279
2020-07-01	Survey seining	64.6	—	1616
2022-07-01	Survey seining	336.6	—	5385
2024-07-01	Survey seining	80.2	—	1283

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2011-07-01	Survey seining	3.7	—	—	59
2011-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.1 – 0.7	0.17 lb	5
2012-07-01	Survey seining	6.3	—	—	190
2012-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.6 (normal)	0.1 – 0.7	0.29 lb	12
2021-07-01	Survey seining	2.0	—	—	40
2021-07-01	Standard gill nets	1.1 (above normal)	0.1 – 0.7	0.76 lb	21
2020-07-01	Survey seining	1.8	—	—	46
2020-07-01	Standard gill nets	2.4 (above normal)	0.1 – 0.7	0.54 lb	48
2022-07-01	Survey seining	0.5	—	—	8
2022-07-01	Standard gill nets	1.6 (above normal)	0.1 – 0.7	0.88 lb	31
1989-09-30	Standard gill nets	1.0 (above normal)	0.1 – 0.7	0.30 lb	8
1991-06-11	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.1 – 0.7	0.53 lb	4
2000-09-30	Standard gill nets	1.8 (above normal)	0.1 – 0.7	0.75 lb	35
2024-07-01	Survey seining	1.1	—	—	17
2024-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.2 (normal)	0.1 – 0.7	1.10 lb	4

Johnny Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2011-07-01	Survey seining	0.1	—	2
2012-07-01	Survey seining	1.7	—	51
2021-07-01	Survey seining	2.1	—	43
2020-07-01	Survey seining	0.2	—	6
2024-07-01	Survey seining	0.1	—	2

RHS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2011-07-01	Survey seining	1.0	—	16
2012-07-01	Survey seining	0.1	—	3
2021-07-01	Survey seining	0.1	—	2
2020-07-01	Survey seining	0.1	—	3
2024-07-01	Survey seining	0.1	—	1

BNS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2011-07-01	Survey seining	0.1	—	1

Iowa Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2012-07-01	Survey seining	0.0	—	1

Shorthead Redhorse

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2012-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.1 – 0.9	1.31 lb	7
2021-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.1 – 0.9	2.87 lb	1
2022-07-01	Survey seining	0.3	—	—	5
1991-06-11	Standard gill nets	0.1 (normal)	0.1 – 0.9	1.30 lb	1

Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2012-07-01	Survey seining	0.1	—	2
2021-07-01	Survey seining	0.1	—	2

LKS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	6.92 lb	1

CNM

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-07-01	Survey seining	0.1	—	0.01 lb	1

UK1

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2022-07-01	Survey seining	0.8	—	12

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-09-30	Standard gill nets	0.1 (normal)	0.1 – 0.6	0.80 lb	1
2000-09-30	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.1 – 0.6	1.20 lb	1

Burbot

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2024-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.1 (normal)	0.0 – 0.2	0.73 lb	2

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Nearby Marinas

A&H Shrinkwrapping Services

Bemidji, MN

(218) 358-0454

★ 5

Bemidji Marine

Bemidji, MN

(888) 759-8875

★ 4.5

Biddy's landing

Ponemah, MN

★ 5

Diamond Point Park

Bemidji, MN

(218) 333-1859

★ 4.6

Dick's Boat & RV Storage

Bemidji, MN

(218) 751-4827

★ 3

Grace Lake Boat Access

Bemidji, MN

★ 4.4

Resorts & Lodges Near Red (Upper Red)

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Red (Upper Red).

Pimushe Resort

Fishing Resort Bemidji

(218) 586-2094

Red Lake Cabin LLC

Fishing Resort Kelliher

(320) 424-2329

The Dahlin Lodge - Upper Red Lake Cabin Rental

Fishing Resort Kelliher

(218) 604-0840

Cedar Rapids Lodge

Fishing Resort Tenstrike

(218) 243-2487

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Red (Upper Red). Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black Crappie Bluegill Burbot Freshwater Drum Goldeye Lake Sturgeon Lake Whitefish Northern Pike Quillback Redhorse Rock Bass Shorthead Redhorse Walleye White Sucker Yellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Red (Upper Red)

Bemidji Area Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(763) 670-6033

Chad's Guide Services

Fishing Guide

(218) 556-0823

First City Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(218) 689-5550

Kevin Cochran’s Musky Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(507) 456-9023

Northcountry Guide Service & Promotions

Fishing Guide

(218) 766-1814

Northern Walleye Adventures

Fishing Guide

(218) 209-8824

View all 8 guides →

Other Lakes in Beltrami County

Plan Your Trip to Red (Upper Red)

Weather forecast for Red (Upper Red) — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 48.1312°N, 94.7665°W — Get Directions
View on MN DNR LakeFinder for the latest survey data and lake info
Review Minnesota fishing regulations for season dates and limits
A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+ — buy online at dnr.state.mn.us

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.

Red (Upper Red)

Special Regulations for Red (Upper Red)

Invasive Species Alert

DNR Fish Surveys

Northern Pike

Walleye

Yellow Perch

LKW

White Sucker

Freshwater Drum

GOE

Golden Shiner

Spottail Shiner

QBS

Fathead Minnow

EMS

Rock Bass

Trout-Perch

Common Shiner

Bluegill

RVS

Black Crappie

Johnny Darter

RHS

BNS

Iowa Darter

Shorthead Redhorse

Bullhead

LKS

CNM

UK1

Brown Bullhead

Burbot

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Dunham's Sports

Hillman's Store & Bait Station

J B Lures

L&M Fleet Supply

Northland Fishing Tackle

Northwoods Bait & Tackle

Trappers Bait Shop

Up North Sports

Nearby Marinas

A&H Shrinkwrapping Services

Bemidji Marine

Biddy's landing

Diamond Point Park

Dick's Boat & RV Storage

Grace Lake Boat Access

Resorts & Lodges Near Red (Upper Red)

Fish Species

Fishing Guides Near Red (Upper Red)

Other Lakes in Beltrami County

Andrusia

Balm

Bass

Beltrami

Bemidji (main lake)

Benjamin

Plan Your Trip to Red (Upper Red)