Upper Red Lake
About Upper Red Lake
Upper Red Lake is an 119,294-acre lake near Waskish in Beltrami County, Minnesota. It reaches 15 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 12 feet, and has roughly 59.2 miles of shoreline. It is the largest lake in Beltrami County in the Minnesota DNR's LakeFinder records.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, and lake sturgeon. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. Special fishing regulations apply to northern pike and walleye, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There are 2 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. OpenStreetMap shows a swim beach on or beside the lake. Red Lake State Forest and Rogers' on RED are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with starry stonewort — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 29, based on 17 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Upper Red Lake
- 119,294 acres, up to 15 feet deep, near Waskish
- 2 public boat launches (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, and lake sturgeon
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Swim beach on or beside the lake
- Camping close to the water at Red Lake State Forest and Rogers' on RED
- Listed as infested with starry stonewort — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 119,294 acres
- Max depth
- 15 ft
- Average depth
- 12 ft
- Shoreline
- 59.2 mi
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 47,681 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- Swim beach
- Camping: Red Lake State Forest and Rogers' on RED
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Power boating and big-water cruising
- Swimming and beach days
- Lakeside camping
- Ice fishing
- Big water: wind builds dangerous waves quickly, so check the forecast and carry safety gear
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 14
- Game fish
- 9
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Special regulations on this lake
- 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.
- A person's statewide bag limit may not include more than current bag limit of Red Lake walleye
- <strong>State anglers:</strong> The actual boundary is not a true north-south line. To simplify, it's recommended that anglers stay east of the longitudinal coordinate of <b>94 deg. 43' 12.0"</b> to ensure they are on state waters.
- The fish carcass retention requirements are still in effect. See page 37 of the Minnesota Fishing Regulations booklet.
- 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.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 29
- Years of record
- 17
- Earliest
- March 27, 2012
- Latest
- May 15, 2013
- Most recent
- April 28, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
Red Lake State Forest and Rogers' on RED are mapped on or near Upper Red Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Upper Red Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Battle Lake
37 out of 100 Lake ScoreKoochiching · Northome286 acres
26.9 miles away
Island Lake
27 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Island Lake424 acres
27.1 miles away
Dellwater Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Bemidji199 acres
28 miles away
Medicine Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Tenstrike461 acres
28.1 miles away
Balm Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Solway537 acres
28.5 miles away
Blackduck Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Blackduck2,711 acres
28.7 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Upper Red Lake?
Upper Red Lake is in Beltrami County, Minnesota, near Waskish. It covers 119,294 acres and reaches 15 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Upper Red Lake?
Upper Red Lake covers 119,294 acres with about 59.2 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 15 feet and its average depth is about 12 feet.
What fish can you catch at Upper Red Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Lake Sturgeon, Burbot, Lake Whitefish, and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Upper Red Lake?
Yes. Upper Red Lake has 2 public boat launches (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Upper Red Lake?
Yes. A swim beach is mapped on or beside the lake. Most Minnesota beaches have no lifeguard, so swim at your own risk and check for beach advisories.
Is Upper Red Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Upper Red Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Are there special fishing regulations on Upper Red Lake?
Yes. All from 30-40" must be immediately released. Possession limit three, only one over 40". 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. Additional lake-specific rules apply; check the DNR regulations before you fish.
When does the ice go out on Upper Red Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 29, from 17 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 27, 2012 and the latest is May 15, 2013.
Can you camp at Upper Red Lake?
Yes. Red Lake State Forest and Rogers' on RED are mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Upper Red Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Upper Red Lake as infested with starry stonewort. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.