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Minnesota Lowers Winter Walleye Limit on Upper Red Lake
Anglers heading to Upper Red Lake this winter will face a slightly lower walleye limit as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources works to keep the lake’s thriving fishery balanced.
The DNR announced that anglers on the state-managed waters of Upper Red can keep four walleyes this winter, with only one fish longer than 17 inches allowed in possession. The change drops the limit from the five-fish cap set during the 2025 open-water season.
According to DNR fisheries section manager Brad Parsons, the adjustment isn’t due to any decline in the population. Instead, it reflects the popularity of the lake’s ice fishery and a desire to maintain long-term stability.
“Our fall assessment indicated that the walleye population continues to be in excellent shape,” Parsons said. “We are dropping the bag limit to four because the winter fishery is so popular. The state waters of Upper Red Lake had an even higher number of spawning-aged female walleye than last year. We’re also seeing strong numbers of young walleye that are just reaching harvestable size, which should make for exceptional fishing over the next few years.”
Boats dot the gray waters of Upper Red Lake. The DNR says the lake remains one of Minnesota’s healthiest walleye fisheries
The winter fishing season on Upper Red runs from November 15, 2025, through February 22, 2026.
The DNR’s fall gill-netting assessment found 50.9 walleyes per net, up from 41.5 in 2024, marking the highest catch rate since 2014. Roughly half of the fish measured between 13 and 16 inches, with solid numbers in the 17- to 20-inch range as well. Parsons said the results show that the lake remains “full of fish of all sizes.”
Anglers on Upper Red have enjoyed some of the best walleye action in the state over the past few years. During the 2024–25 winter season, anglers harvested 175,000 pounds of walleyes and logged 2.1 million angler-hours, the second-highest total on record. The only higher number came during the pandemic year of 2020–21, when outdoor recreation surged statewide.
A cold winter day settles over Upper Red Lake. The Minnesota DNR says strong walleye numbers should make for another busy ice-fishing season
Upper Red Lake’s management is a collaborative effort between the Red Lake Nation and the Minnesota DNR, guided by a joint harvest plan created by the Red Lakes Fisheries Technical Committee. The Upper Red Lake Citizen Advisory Committee also reviews annual data and provides recommendations for state regulations.
With strong walleye numbers and high angler participation, the DNR expects another busy ice-fishing season. Parsons said that while the limit has been reduced, anglers should still find plenty of action on the ice this winter.
“Everything we’re seeing points to excellent fishing ahead,” he said.
For the latest updates on regulations and ice conditions, visit the Minnesota DNR website.
The post Minnesota Lowers Winter Walleye Limit on Upper Red Lake appeared first on OutdoorHub.
Continue reading...
Minnesota Lowers Winter Walleye Limit on Upper Red Lake
Anglers heading to Upper Red Lake this winter will face a slightly lower walleye limit as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources works to keep the lake’s thriving fishery balanced.
The DNR announced that anglers on the state-managed waters of Upper Red can keep four walleyes this winter, with only one fish longer than 17 inches allowed in possession. The change drops the limit from the five-fish cap set during the 2025 open-water season.
According to DNR fisheries section manager Brad Parsons, the adjustment isn’t due to any decline in the population. Instead, it reflects the popularity of the lake’s ice fishery and a desire to maintain long-term stability.
“Our fall assessment indicated that the walleye population continues to be in excellent shape,” Parsons said. “We are dropping the bag limit to four because the winter fishery is so popular. The state waters of Upper Red Lake had an even higher number of spawning-aged female walleye than last year. We’re also seeing strong numbers of young walleye that are just reaching harvestable size, which should make for exceptional fishing over the next few years.”
Boats dot the gray waters of Upper Red Lake. The DNR says the lake remains one of Minnesota’s healthiest walleye fisheries
The winter fishing season on Upper Red runs from November 15, 2025, through February 22, 2026.
The DNR’s fall gill-netting assessment found 50.9 walleyes per net, up from 41.5 in 2024, marking the highest catch rate since 2014. Roughly half of the fish measured between 13 and 16 inches, with solid numbers in the 17- to 20-inch range as well. Parsons said the results show that the lake remains “full of fish of all sizes.”
Anglers on Upper Red have enjoyed some of the best walleye action in the state over the past few years. During the 2024–25 winter season, anglers harvested 175,000 pounds of walleyes and logged 2.1 million angler-hours, the second-highest total on record. The only higher number came during the pandemic year of 2020–21, when outdoor recreation surged statewide.
A cold winter day settles over Upper Red Lake. The Minnesota DNR says strong walleye numbers should make for another busy ice-fishing season
Upper Red Lake’s management is a collaborative effort between the Red Lake Nation and the Minnesota DNR, guided by a joint harvest plan created by the Red Lakes Fisheries Technical Committee. The Upper Red Lake Citizen Advisory Committee also reviews annual data and provides recommendations for state regulations.
With strong walleye numbers and high angler participation, the DNR expects another busy ice-fishing season. Parsons said that while the limit has been reduced, anglers should still find plenty of action on the ice this winter.
“Everything we’re seeing points to excellent fishing ahead,” he said.
For the latest updates on regulations and ice conditions, visit the Minnesota DNR website.
The post Minnesota Lowers Winter Walleye Limit on Upper Red Lake appeared first on OutdoorHub.
Continue reading...