New limit will run from Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027
The winter season walleye limit on Upper Red Lake will be a four-fish possession limit, with only one walleye longer than 17 inches allowed. This will be the fourth winter in a row with this regulation. The bag limit differs from the 2026 open water season, which had a five-fish possession limit.
“Our fall assessment indicated that the walleye population continues to be in excellent shape. We are dropping the bag limit to four because winter angling on Red Lake is so popular,” said Shannon Fisher, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources fisheries section manager. “Lake-wide numbers of spawning-age female walleye remain excellent. 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.”
The fall gill net catch on state of Minnesota waters was 35.2 walleye per net with fish of all sizes represented; more than half the catch was between 13 and 16 inches.
This survey result confirms the healthy walleye population status, and appropriate regulation in relation to the agreed-upon harvest plan. Walleye management on Red Lake is a collaborative effort between the Red Lake Nation and the Minnesota DNR, governed by a joint harvest plan agreed upon by the Red Lakes Fisheries Technical Committee. The Upper Red Lake Citizen Advisory Committee reviews walleye harvest totals, regulation options and provides recommendations for the state waters of Upper Red Lake.
The full Upper Red Lake fishing regulations are on the Minnesota DNR website.