butchS Loc: MN

Can anyone let me know what the best time of the year to fish red lake. Jan or Feb.

LuckyJoe1 Loc: MN

At the risk of ticking some people off I'd always drive 1 1/2 hours straight north of Red Lake and fish Lake of the Woods instead. I've ice fished both later in the year and I found L.O.W. to be a much more sure bet. L.O.W. has more liberal limits, more variety of fish with sauger in particular being in the the walleye bite, more restaurant/bar/lodging choices available, bigger walleyes in general although both have slot limits in effect, etc. Several years ago after Red Lake had walleye fishing suspended it was great for really large crappies but that has gone down hill due to fishing pressure. Good luck fishing wherever you decide to go!

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Good evening, LuckyJoe, welcome to the Forum. Thank you for your input.

Rock Hound Loc: Southeast Minnesota

Early January and later February are usually better than later January or early February.

I know that isn’t a direct answer to the question, but that is my advice.

jigginjim Loc: Buffalo, Minnesota

If you have a ATV or snowmobile? Fish Red lake, Before X-mas. Use Portable shelter, get away from the groups and use lots of tip-ups. After X-mas Go to WOTL, you can keep more and larger fish.

Old-iron-habit Loc: Minnesota

I agree with jigginjim. By Christmas Upper Red Lake has had tens of thousands of Walleyes pulled out of it. With up to 40,000 fisherman out on the ice some weekends it gets hit hard. It's a good thing that only 1/4 of the lake can be fished or it would be like Lake Milaca. Early ice is great fishing. I move by Christmas to other lakes. LOTW is a good one.

butchS Loc: MN

thanks all save fishing