Outdoors Angle: Destination Red Lake

 The Flag Outdoors Expert Steve Carney has your weekly Outdoors Angle right here!

     I just recently returned from a fishing day on Minnesota's Upper Red Lake and it was amazing ! When I pulled into the parking lot of the resort I saw license plates from North Dakota, South Dakota and even Iowa. This is THE destination for early ice fishing as we await decent ice here in the north country.

     When I got to the shoreline, I stopped counting portable shacks at 234. They were typically grouped up east to west along the first breakline. With 7 inches of ice, all anglers were walking out. My group walked the first mile out and we bypassed the community spots and headed another 1/2 mile further north, away from the crowds. This is the secret on this lake ......get away from the clusters of anglers. We were all alone and caught walleyes all day long. It was one of the most amazing days on the ice I have ever had. Red Lake is an absolute walleye factory and the limit is three fish per day, with only one over 17 inches. The most common walleyes were 18 to 20 inches which were plentiful. It didn't even matter the lure choice or color, they struck everything I threw at them, even my dumb lures that I rarely use! Fishing is that good in the month of December on this lake.

     Fishing will continue to be excellent in this fishery well into January and then things will slow down. The best bite is now and will continue for 4 to 5 weeks. It's a long drive to get up there but well worth the effort.

Steve Carney is The Flag WZFG Outdoors expert. He can be heard every Thursday morning at 8:05 on AM 1100 WZFG. Check out his weekly podcast on am1100theflag.com and hear his Outdoors Angle reports every Friday on AM 1100 WZFG. You can also visit stevecarneyoutdoors.com for more information.