See all 9 routes on Red Lake River
Minnesota | Northwest Minnesota
Red Lake RiverFisher Landing to Red River Recreation Area
Advanced-commitment lower Red Lake River run from Fisher to East Grand Forks: 27.6 miles with sparse public exits and a mandatory take-out at Red River Recreation Area above the constructed rock rapids.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Put in at Fisher Landing and take out at Red River Recreation Area for the final lower Red Lake River section before the Red River.
Access map
Put-in
Red Lake River, Fisher Landing Public Water Access SiteFisher Landing resolves as WAS02138 at DNR river mile 27.9 and sits beside the selected Fisher DNR gauge.
Take-out
Red Lake River, Red River Rec. Area Public Water Access SiteRed River Recreation Area resolves as WAS02136 near river mile 0.3, above the East Grand Forks constructed rock rapids and confluence.
Road shuttle
Stage Red River Recreation Area first, then drive back to Fisher Landing. Confirm the take-out from land because it sits just upstream of the constructed rock rapid and Red River confluence sequence.
Additional access notes
- This is a long lower-river reach with sparse public exits; do not treat private banks, bridges, or the confluence area as routine bailout points.
More route and safety guidance
- Take out at Red River Recreation Area before the East Grand Forks constructed rock rapids and Red River confluence unless the next river segment has been separately scouted and planned.
- This is a long lower-river trip with limited public exits. Leave a large daylight margin or split the trip with a legal, separately confirmed overnight plan.
- Expect muddy banks, snags, wind across open agricultural bends, cold water early or late in the season, and stronger current after rain.
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
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Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Red Lake River at Fisher, MN |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
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| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 237 cfs to 1,960 cfs |
| Low threshold | 195 cfs |
| High threshold | 2,850 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | MN DNR river-level interpretation bands for Red Lake River at Fisher |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Route shapeFisher RM 27.9 to Red River Recreation Area RM 0.3
MN DNR Red Lake Map 2 maps Fisher Landing, Grand Marais Creek, Highway 220, Red River State Recreation Area, Red River Recreation Area, constructed rock rapids, and the confluence sequence.
- Public access recordsWAS02138 to WAS02136
Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves Fisher Landing and Red River Recreation Area with official access names, river miles, administrators, and coordinates.
- Official DNR bands195 / 237-1,960 / 2,850 cfs
MN DNR interprets Fisher as Scrapable below 195 cfs, Low from 195 to 237, Medium from 237 to 1,960, High from 1,960 to 2,850, and Very High above 2,850.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-24240 cfs at 2026-07-24 04:30 CDT
This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.
- Overnight and safety contextEndpoint campground; mandatory take-out above constructed rapids
DNR Map 2 shows camping at Red River State Recreation Area and a constructed rock rapid just below the Red River Recreation access; this card stops above that feature.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Other routes nearby
More on Red Lake River
All 9Nearby routes within 75 miles
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