How big is Red Lake?

Tucked away in the remote north-central reaches of Minnesota lies one of the state’s most iconic bodies of water: Red Lake. Despite being lesser known outside the region, Red Lake holds a significant place in Minnesota’s natural landscape — not just for its size, but also for its cultural, ecological, and recreational value.

The Third-Largest Lake in Minnesota (and the Largest Entirely Within the State)

Red Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake entirely within Minnesota, spanning an impressive 444 square miles (1,150 km²). In terms of surface area, this makes it Minnesota’s third-largest lake overall, following Lake Superior and Lake of the Woods — both of which Minnesota shares with neighboring states or Canada.

One of the unique features of Red Lake is that it’s divided into two distinct basins:

Upper Red Lake – covers roughly 120,000 acres (about 188 square miles)

Lower Red Lake – the larger of the two, spans approximately 157,000 acres (about 246 square miles)

Together, these two connected basins form a vast, shallow lake system that is visible from satellite imagery and central to the surrounding landscape.

Geography and Hydrology

The lake lies entirely within Beltrami County, in a region known for its wetlands, forests, and glacially carved terrain. Despite its large surface area, Red Lake is relatively shallow. The average depth is only around 15 feet, with the deepest point barely reaching 35 feet.

The Red Lake River, which eventually flows into the Red River of the North, drains the lake. Water levels are partially regulated by a dam at the lake’s outlet, helping manage seasonal fluctuations and supporting fishery health.

A Sovereign Landscape: Red Lake Nation

A defining characteristic of Red Lake is that most of it lies within the Red Lake Indian Reservation, home to the Red Lake Band of Chippewa (Ojibwe). This gives the lake a unique political and cultural status. Unlike other tribal lands in the U.S., the Red Lake Nation never agreed to land allotment under the Dawes Act, which allowed them to retain full control over their lands and waters.

As a result, Lower Red Lake is entirely off-limits to non-tribal members — both for recreation and resource use. Upper Red Lake, however, includes some state-managed areas that are open to the public, including ice fishing, boating, and seasonal resorts.

Conclusion: More Than Just Size

So, how big is Red Lake? In raw numbers, it spans over 275,000 acres, or 444 square miles. But its size tells only part of the story. Red Lake is large not just in area, but in cultural significance, ecological value, and recreational opportunity. For the people of the Red Lake Nation, it is a vital part of their identity and economy. For visitors, it is a vast and beautiful place to experience Minnesota’s great outdoors.

Whether you’re an angler, a nature lover, or a curious traveler, Red Lake is a powerful reminder that Minnesota is much more than the Land of 10,000 Lakes — it’s the land of big stories and even bigger landscapes.