Red Lake Fishing near Hayward, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Red Lake sits within Douglas County in Wisconsin. The surface lies 1,053 feet up. This is sizeable water at about 252 acres, and a boat opens up most of it. Around 3.1 miles of bank, which is a long day on foot. It is among the larger waters listed here for Douglas County. Start from Hayward, 18 miles down the road. It is 107 miles to Saint Paul, the nearest city. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Red Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Fish documented in Douglas County include yellow perch, walleye, white sucker, black crappie and rainbow smelt. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. On Red Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 68°F at the top of summer and 9°F at the bottom of winter. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer and winter test it. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from mid April. Break-up sits around mid April on average, with the water closing again about late November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Plan around that when you fish Red Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. Walleye come to jigs worked slow near bottom, and to trolled crankbaits along the drops at dusk. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Sullivan Lake at 0.7 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the position on Red Lake before loading the car.