At 288,800 acres, Red Lake is the largest of all inland lakes in Minnesota. It’s also at the center of one of the most tragic fisheries failures, and at the same time, the subject of perhaps the most successful joint recovery effort in fishing history.
The lake is split into upper and lower basins, with all of Lower Red Lake and about 60% of Upper Red Lake under the jurisdiction of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians. The remaining waters fall under state authority. Historically, the lake was a virtual walleye factory, but in the late 1990s overharvest led to a total collapse of the fishery.
An unprecedented cooperative effort between the Band and the state, which included stocking 90,000,000 walleye fry over six years, a seven-year moratorium on walleye fishing, and later on, more restrictive sport and commercial fishing regulations, has led to what all agree is a lake that’s loaded with walleyes.
About 48,000 acres of Upper Red Lake is open to non-tribal sportfishing, and typically carries a slot limit to protect the fishery, so check fishing regulations before you hit the water.
IN THE COLUMN TO THE RIGHT, I AM GIVING YOU EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GREAT WALLEYE FISHING IN UPPER RED LAKE. HAVE FUN.
The caveat is that you must invite me to share in your walleye dinner!!