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Upper Red Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 26, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Upper Red Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	38-48	Walleyes are transitioning from winter locations to pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active with warming water temperatures Fish are moving shallower and focusing on shoreline-connected structure, particularly during low light periods given the stained water conditions	Rock piles and reefs connected to shoreline points in 8-14 foot depth range First major breaks off shallow flats where bottom composition changes Protected bays with gradual slopes that warm faster than main lake areas	Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom transitions Live Bait Rigs with minnows near structure Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with aggressive jigging cadence	Yellow Perch congregating in pre-spawn areas Minnows concentrated on warming flats	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	42-52	Walleyes migrating to shallow rocky areas and tributaries for spawning Males arrive first and stay longer on spawning grounds, with females moving in during optimal temperature windows Post-spawn fish gradually transitioning to feeding areas near first break lines	Rocky points and shallow reefs in 2-6 foot depths Tributary mouths and current areas First break lines near spawning areas (8-14 foot range)	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along bottom in spawning areas Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with minnows Blade Baits worked slowly through transition areas	Minnows concentrated in spawning areas Perch moving shallow with warming trends Small baitfish in tributary areas	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	48-58	Post-spawn walleyes are actively feeding to recover energy, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer feeding locations Fish are utilizing ledges and transition areas, taking advantage of the stained water conditions for daytime feeding	Main lake ledges and first break lines in 8-14 foot range Rocky points and reefs adjacent to spawning areas Shallow flats with gradual breaks where baitfish concentrate	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along breaks Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with minnow presentations Lipless Crankbaits worked parallel to break lines	Perch - primary forage base confirmed by reports Minnows - consistent mention in lake profile data	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Walleye	65-78	Walleyes actively feeding along break lines and transitions in 8-9ft depth range during summer, particularly during lower light conditions due to stained water Fish utilizing distinct depth transitions and moving between shallow and deeper water based on light conditions and forage location	Break lines and ledges in 8-9ft depth range Rock piles and reefs near depth transitions Bottom content changes along gradual breaks	Trolling Shallow (0-9') Live Bait Rigs Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')	Perch Minnows	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Upper Red Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Walleye	48-62	Walleyes actively feeding to build energy reserves for winter, following primary forage (perch and minnows) and utilizing structure as ambush points Fish moving between shallow and mid-depth areas, with increased activity during low-light periods due to the stained water conditions	First major breaks and transitions (8-14 ft) where bottom composition changes Rock piles and reefs adjacent to deeper water Shallow flats with mixed bottom content during low light periods	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Blade Baits Live Bait Rigs	Yellow Perch Minnows Small Baitfish	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Walleye	34-42	Walleyes are actively feeding in low-light conditions, concentrating on shallow flats and first break lines due to stained water conditions Fish are more selective in cold water, responding best to slow, deliberate presentations	First break lines in 8-14 feet of water Rock piles and bottom transitions in shallow water Protected bays with consistent depth ranges	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Blade Baits Live Bait Rigs	Minnows Perch	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors
Ice	Walleye	33-37	Walleye concentrate on predictable structure early in the ice season, starting shallow (8-10ft) and progressively moving deeper (13-14ft) as pressure increases Most active during early morning and evening periods, with aggressive feeding early ice transitioning to more selective behavior mid/late season Fish suspend 1-3 feet off bottom, responding well to both aggressive jigging and deadstick presentations depending on mood	First breaks and transitions in 8-10 foot range during early ice Deeper flats and basins in 13-14 foot range as season progresses Areas with bottom content changes, especially small rock and gravel patches	Ice Fishing Spoons worked aggressively with minnow head tipping Deadsticking with live minnows 1-2 feet off bottom Rattling baits to draw fish in murky conditions	Minnows (primary forage based on multiple reports) Perch (frequently mentioned as secondary forage)	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Upper Red Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Rock piles and reefs connected to shoreline points in 8-14 foot depth range	First major breaks off shallow flats where bottom composition changes
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Rocky points and shallow reefs in 2-6 foot depths	Tributary mouths and current areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Main lake ledges and first break lines in 8-14 foot range	Rocky points and reefs adjacent to spawning areas
Summer	Walleye	Break lines and ledges in 8-9ft depth range	Rock piles and reefs near depth transitions
Fall	Walleye	First major breaks and transitions (8-14 ft) where bottom composition changes	Rock piles and reefs adjacent to deeper water
Winter	Walleye	First break lines in 8-14 feet of water	Rock piles and bottom transitions in shallow water
Ice	Walleye	First breaks and transitions in 8-10 foot range during early ice	Deeper flats and basins in 13-14 foot range as season progresses

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Yellow Perch congregating in pre-spawn areas	Minnows concentrated on warming flats
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Minnows concentrated in spawning areas	Perch moving shallow with warming trends
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Perch - primary forage base confirmed by reports	Minnows - consistent mention in lake profile data
Summer	Walleye	Perch	Minnows
Fall	Walleye	Yellow Perch	Minnows
Winter	Walleye	Minnows	Perch
Ice	Walleye	Minnows (primary forage based on multiple reports)	Perch (frequently mentioned as secondary forage)

Bait Colors by Season for Upper Red Lake

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors
Summer	Walleye	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors
Fall	Walleye	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Winter	Walleye	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors
Ice	Walleye	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors

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