Lake information report

Name: Red (Upper Red)

Public Access Information

Fishing Regulations:

Lake Characteristics

Fish Sampled for the 2011 Survey Year

Length of Selected Species (Trapnet, Gillnet) Sampled for the 2011 Survey Year

Fish Stocking Activity

Fish Stocked by Species for the Last Ten Years

Fish Consumption Guidelines

These fish consumption guidelines help people make choices about which fish to eat and how often. Following the guidelin es enables people to reduce their exposure to contaminants while still enjoying the many benefits from fish.

Pregnant Women, Women who may become pregnant and Children under age 15

General Population

DOWID - MN DNR, Divion of Waters' lake ID number.

Contaminants listed were measured at levels that trigger advice to limit consumption.

Listing of consumption guidelines do not imply the fish are legal to keep, MN DNR fishing regulations should be consulted.

Dioxin
Mercury
PCBS - Polychlorinated biphenyls
PFOS - Perfluorooctane sulfanate

Status of the Fishery (as of 07/01/2011)

Upper Red Lake is a 120,000 acre lake, 60% (72,000 acres) of which is under the jurisdiction of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians (Red Lake Band). The remaining 40% (48,000 acres) falls under the jurisdiction of the State of Minnesota. The collapse of the Red Lakes walleye population in the mid 1990's has been well documented. Similarly, the cooperative recovery effort that included a total closure on walleye harvest, a short-term walleye fry stocking program, intensified population monitoring, and increased law enforcement efforts has been widely publicized. In 2006, the Red Lakes were re-opened to walleye fishing under a conservative set of harvest regulations. Walleye harvest allocations, as outlined in the harvest management plan, are based on the proportion of surface water acreage within each jurisdiction. Specific fishing methods and regulations for managing harvest within the allocations are determined individually within each jurisdiction. In state waters of Upper Red Lake, a two-fish possession limit in combination with a 17-26 inch protected slot length limit (PSL; only one fish over 26 inches allowed in possession) was initially implemented for walleye. Over the several few years, regulations were incrementally relaxed. Regulations for the past three seasons have been consistent: a 4-fish bag limit, and a 17-26 inch PSL for the winter season and the open-water season until June 14th, followed by a temporary slot adjustment (20-26 inch PSL) from mid-June through the end of November. This slot adjustment has increased fishing pressure during mid-summer and increased harvest for this time period compared to previous years. In addition to special walleye regulations, a special harvest regulation for northern pike has been in place since the 2006 fishing opener. The regulation from 2006 through 2010 was a 26-40 inch PSL (only one fish over 40 inches allowed in possession) and beginning with the 2011 fishing season opener, this slot limit was widened to a 26-44 inch protected slot (only one fish over 44 inches allowed in possession) to increase protection for large pike.

Present Fish Population Status The 2011 walleye gill net catch-per-effort (CPE) was 45.2 per gill net, which is much greater than the 2010 catch rate (27.7 walleye/net). Overall walleye density peaked in 2003 and after declining for the next few years, walleye biomass is again approaching record-levels observed in 2003. Walleye from age 0 (young of year) to age 12 were sampled with the oldest fish representing the 1999 year class. Approximately 78% of the walleye sample consisted of fish younger than age-6, which are entirely the result of natural reproduction. Sixty-four percent of the 2011 gill net sample was between 12 and 17 inches and 44% of the sample was between 14 and 17 inches. This size distribution suggests that fishing and the ability to find "keeper" walleyes should be good for the foreseeable future. Northern pike CPE was 1.0 fish per gill net in 2011, which is similar to recent years and only slightly below the long-term median of 1.7 fish/net. The average size of northern pike caught in gill nets has been stable over the past eight years with a nice mixture of sizes  including fish up to 44 inches. Yellow perch CPE increased from 7.6 fish per gill net in 2009 to 12.5 fish/net in 2010 to 20.1 fish/net in 2011. This marks the third year of improved gill net catch. Heavy predation on juvenile perch for several years reduced their numbers to levels that were beginning to become a concern. However, there has been at least some measureable recruitment each year since 2006 and the 2007, 2008, and 2009 year classes are shaping up to be moderate to strong. Growth rates of yellow perch in Upper Red Lake are good and 50% of the yellow perch catch was greater than 8 inches in length. The black crappie gill net catch rate was below the long-term median and, coupled with creel survey data, all indications are that the "crappie boom" is over and this species has returned to lower levels of abundance.

For more information on this lake, contact: Area Fisheries Supervisor 2114 Bemidji Ave Bemidji, MN 56601 Phone: (218) 308-2339 Internet: Bemidji Fisheries E-Mail: Bemidji.Fisheries@state.mn.us	Lake maps can be obtained from: Minnesota Bookstore 660 Olive Street St. Paul, MN 55155 (651) 297-3000 or (800) 657-3757 No depth map available.
For general DNR Information, contact: DNR Information Center 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 TDD: (651) 296-6157 or (888) MINNDNR Internet: www.dnr.state.mn.us E-Mail: info.dnr@state.mn.us	Turn in Poachers (TIP):     Toll-free: (800) 652-9093