Is Red Lake the Biggest Lake in Minnesota?

Is Red Lake the Biggest Lake in Minnesota?

Minnesota, famously known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” is home to some of the largest and most scenic freshwater lakes in the United States. Among them, Red Lake often draws attention due to its size and prominence on state maps. But many people still ask: Is Red Lake the biggest lake in Minnesota?

The answer is both yes and no, depending on how you define "biggest." Let’s dive into the details.

Red Lake: A Giant in the Heart of Minnesota

Red Lake, located in Beltrami County in north-central Minnesota, is a massive body of water made up of two main sections:

◉ Upper Red Lake
◉ Lower Red Lake

Together, these two connected basins cover a total area of approximately 444 square miles (about 285,000 acres). That makes Red Lake one of the largest natural freshwater lakes in the United States.

So, Is It the Largest Lake in Minnesota?

If you count only lakes entirely within the state of Minnesota, then yes — Red Lake is the largest.

◉ Red Lake is the largest lake located entirely within Minnesota’s borders.

◉ It is bigger than other famous in-state lakes like Mille Lacs Lake (207 square miles) and Leech Lake (160 square miles).

But here’s the catch:

◉ Lake Superior is by far the largest lake touching Minnesota, but it is shared with Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ontario, Canada.

• ◉ Surface area: 31,700 square miles (Minnesota's share is much smaller)

◉ Lake of the Woods is also larger than Red Lake, with a surface area of 1,679 square miles, but it’s shared by Minnesota, Manitoba, and Ontario.

So, when ranking all lakes that touch Minnesota, Red Lake is the third-largest, after Lake Superior and Lake of the Woods.

A Quick Size Comparison

Lake Name	Total Surface Area	Located Entirely in MN?
Lake Superior	31,700 sq mi	No
Lake of the Woods	1,679 sq mi	No
Red Lake	444 sq mi	Yes
Mille Lacs Lake	207 sq mi	Yes
Leech Lake	160 sq mi	Yes

As the table shows, Red Lake is the largest lake wholly within the state of Minnesota — a title it holds proudly.

Why Red Lake’s Size Is So Significant

Beyond the numbers, Red Lake has a unique status. The majority of the lake lies within the Red Lake Indian Reservation, which belongs to the Red Lake Band of Chippewa (Ojibwe). This gives the lake not only ecological and geographical importance but also cultural and political significance.

◉ Lower Red Lake is entirely within the reservation and closed to non-tribal members.

◉ Upper Red Lake has public access and is popular for ice fishing, especially for walleye.

This dual nature — part private, part public — sets Red Lake apart from other large lakes in the state.

Depth vs. Size

Although Red Lake is vast in surface area, it is relatively shallow compared to other Minnesota lakes:

◉ Average depth: around 15 feet

◉ Maximum depth: approximately 35 feet

By contrast, Lake Superior, with an average depth of over 480 feet, is not only broader but also dramatically deeper.

Final Verdict: Is Red Lake the Biggest?

✅ Yes – Red Lake is the largest lake entirely within the state of Minnesota.

❌ No – Red Lake is not the largest lake that touches Minnesota (that title belongs to Lake Superior).

So, it depends on the context of your question. If you’re thinking in terms of state pride and geography, Red Lake is Minnesota’s biggest true homegrown lake — and that’s something worth celebrating.

Conclusion

Whether you’re measuring surface area, shoreline, or cultural significance, Red Lake holds an undisputed place of importance in Minnesota’s natural landscape. While it may not top the list when shared lakes are included, it reigns supreme among those that lie completely within the state’s borders.

So, the next time you gaze across the expansive waters of Red Lake or drill a hole in the ice to catch a walleye, know that you’re experiencing the grandeur of Minnesota’s largest entirely-in-state lake — a treasure as big in heart as it is in size.