Minnesota · DNR survey data
Red (Upper Red) Lake
Red (Upper Red) Lake covers 119,294 acres in Beltrami County, running to 15 feet, last surveyed by the DNR in 2025. The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for this lake, so there is no depth map here, just the survey record: what the nets held and how big it ran.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeOne of the best around45.2per gill net3"Typical29"Biggest
Lengths measured · 10583 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 2583 fish
2025Lengths measured · 1451 fish
2024Lengths measured · 1523 fish
2023Lengths measured · 3539 fish
2022No recent survey rating.
Northern pikeJust a few1.2per gill net20"Typical41"Biggest
Lengths measured · 123 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 20 fish
2025Lengths measured · 22 fish
2024Lengths measured · 20 fish
2023Lengths measured · 19 fish
2022CrappiePresent3.3per seine haul1"Typical14"Biggest
Lengths measured · 363 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 42 fish
2025Lengths measured · 20 fish
2024Lengths measured · 203 fish
2023Lengths measured · 37 fish
2022Yellow perchExcellent numbers14.1per gill net1"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 14999 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 4819 fish
2025Lengths measured · 2210 fish
2024Lengths measured · 2053 fish
2023Lengths measured · 277 fish
2022Present and managed by the DNR.
Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear — which is why the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, the page shows presence and size only. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey. You can read every number on this page without an app or an account.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Lake Sturgeon | 21,907 fingerlings |
| 2024 | Lake Sturgeon | 24,262 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Lake Sturgeon | 11,032 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Lake Sturgeon | 14,013 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Lake Sturgeon | 10,150 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Lake Sturgeon | 9,600 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Lake Sturgeon | 31,027 fingerlings |
Recent reports
Red (Upper Red) Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Red (Upper Red) Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Open the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report
All Red (Upper Red) Lake fishing reports → · Beltrami County reports
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Tamarack River Shore Fishing Site (shore fishing)
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Bullhead Lake · 36 ac · 19.6 mi
- Pine Lake · 8 ac · 24.9 mi
- Island Lake · 424 ac · 27.4 mi
- Medicine Lake · 461 ac · 28.1 mi
- Dellwater Lake · 199 ac · 28.3 mi
- Blackduck Lake · 2,711 ac · 28.6 mi
- Bartlett Lake · 304 ac · 28.9 mi
- Balm Lake · 537 ac · 29 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Is there a depth map for Red (Upper Red) Lake?
The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Red (Upper Red) Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.
What fish are in Red (Upper Red) Lake?
The most recent DNR survey (2025) recorded walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, lake sturgeon, rock bass.
Does Red (Upper Red) Lake have a public access?
Yes. Red (Upper Red) Lake has one public access site: Tamarack River Shore Fishing Site (shore fishing).
Is Red (Upper Red) Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked lake sturgeon in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
When was Red (Upper Red) Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Red (Upper Red) Lake in 2025, the most recent of 34 surveys on record.
Survey numbers are the Minnesota DNR's. How this site reads them →
Page updated .