Jump to content

  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

When to Wet Line on Red?

hockey33

By hockey33
in Upper Red Lake Fishing Reports - Hunting

 Share

Recommended Posts

hockey33 Contributor

hockey33

Posted
Posted

Question, 4 of us are trying to decide when to fish Red this year.

We recognize after Feb 28 the Walleye season is over for keeping any. With that said, for strictly fishing purposes...would you prefer beginning of Feb or Beginning of March to fish Red? Or maybe it doesn't matter?

Thanks for your help.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
chaffmj Mentor

chaffmj

Posted
Posted

I believe walleye closes the 22nd of Feb. If it was me I would go during walleye season. If you decide to go after that add a side trip up to LOW for the walleyes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Random guy Grand Master

Random guy

Posted
Posted

If you HAVE TO keep a few walleyes you will need to come before close.

Although the best fishing is March, no doubt about it.The weather is nice, bookings are wide open so you can pick your date. The crowds are all but gone. Crappies are active, the perch have moved onto the gravel/mud lines. You do have to deal with walleye and trophy class pike hitting your lures, other then that you should have a good time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mnhunter 3815 Mentor

mnhunter 3815

Posted
Posted

nothin wrong catching eyes while tring to catch crappies.just gotta becarefull with the eyes when putting them back in the water.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
John Mickish Grand Master

John Mickish

Posted
Posted

Just remember, you cannot fish for a fish out of season. Hard to prove, but that's not the point.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mnhunter 3815 Mentor

mnhunter 3815

Posted
Posted

well every 1 knows that.you just cant stop an eye from biting your hook when your fishing for crappies.if you fish for crappies when the eye season is closed how many eyes you gonna catch on red????

Link to comment
Share on other sites
DHanson Proficient

DHanson

Posted
Posted

Although fish may seem more active a particular time of year, I think weather dictates the mood of the fish more. I have fished Upper Red while some monster cold fronts moved through the area along with extreme wind. I have seen the bite go from extremely good to extremely bad in a matter of 24 hours when a huge front moved through. I know this doesn't really help when you are planning a trip well ahead of time, but it is something to consider. I also really hate fishing in extremely cold weather and high winds, makes it tough to stay mobile. The thing is that the outfitters have really nice houses and it is possible to still have a great experience even in extreme conditions. I think the bite is always pretty darn good all winter on Upper Red when there is stable weather.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cookie129 Mentor

cookie129

Posted
Posted

The problem I have with blaming the weather is when you tell someone the weather shut them down on red and you go to the westwind it never fails someone nailed them? seems it alway location location location

Link to comment
Share on other sites
hockey33 Contributor

hockey33

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I appreciate all the good posts. Thanks for the heads up about the 22nd, I guess I thought it was the 28th...but I'm obviously mistaken.

When you are with your buddies sometimes that is the best part and the fish are the bonus.

Thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites
ozzie Grand Master

ozzie

Posted
Posted

I was going to say the same thing cookie....the way Red seams to work is always the right place at the right time as there are always active fish on this lake regardless of weather and pressure........good luck

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      Big Kandiyohi

      By mulefarm · Posted

      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      Big Traverse Ice Free

      By LakeofthewoodsMN · Posted

      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      St Cloud Fishing Reports

      By leech~~ · Posted

      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      St Cloud Fishing Reports

      By Rick G · Posted

      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
      Moose's Report - Cambridge-Elk River-Foley-Milaca-Mora-Ogilvie Fishing Reports

      By monstermoose78 · Posted

    • monstermoose78
      Moose's Report - Cambridge-Elk River-Foley-Milaca-Mora-Ogilvie Fishing Reports

      By monstermoose78 · Posted

      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      Moose's Report - Cambridge-Elk River-Foley-Milaca-Mora-Ogilvie Fishing Reports

      By monstermoose78 · Posted

      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Moose's Report - Cambridge-Elk River-Foley-Milaca-Mora-Ogilvie Fishing Reports

      By monstermoose78 · Posted

      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      Moose's Report - Cambridge-Elk River-Foley-Milaca-Mora-Ogilvie Fishing Reports

      By smurfy · Posted

      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      Moose's Report - Cambridge-Elk River-Foley-Milaca-Mora-Ogilvie Fishing Reports

      By monstermoose78 · Posted

      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

  I accept