2026-12-19 · Upper Red Lake, near Kelliher, MN (headquarters TBA; 2025 ran out of West Wind Resort)
Kelliher Fire & Rescue Fishing Derby on Upper Red Lake
The volunteer fire crew that pulls people off Upper Red's ice floes is throwing its second derby, so the guys with the rescue suits are also handing out the prizes.
Kelliher Fire & Rescue says it will “once again” host a fishing derby on Upper Red Lake on Saturday, December 19, with raffle tickets already on sale at local businesses and from any Kelliher Fire member. The department says more derby details are coming, so check its page before you load the sled.
For reference, last year’s first go (December 13, 2025) ran 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. out of West Wind Resort, cost $20, and let you register up to four walleyes, with proceeds going toward a new fire truck. Expect something similar, but don’t treat those as this year’s rules until the department posts them.
It’s an early-ice derby on a lake famous for ice that changes its mind, and the hosts are literally the rescue team. Respect that. Check local ice reports and listen to the resorts.
When: Saturday, December 19, 2026 (times TBA; 2025 was 11 a.m.–3 p.m.)
Where: Upper Red Lake, Kelliher area (headquarters TBA)
Source: Kelliher Fire & Rescue posts (Sept 17, 2026); 2025 format from the DNR tournament list and Cookie’s on Upper Red Lake