Location: Homestead Township Park Fishing Pier
Managed by: MN DNR
Upper Red Lake is one of Minnesota's premier Walleye fishing resources and this Pier is located on the Tamarack River which flows into the lake. The Tamarack River gives boat anglers a safe harbor off the main body of the lake is used to enter and exit the Lake. Across the Tamarack River from the pier is Big Bog Recreation Area which offers visitors camping sites along with camping cabins one of which is accessible. Between the Recreation Area and the varies fishing piers found in the general vicinity the area offers anglers various opportunities to fish. The predominant fish caught here are walleye and northern with an occasional rough fish such as drum.
Description
This pier is located to the west of the boat landing on the east side of Hwy 72 on the Tamarack River. Coming from the south it is immediately past Big Bog Recreation Area, first right once over the bridge traveling north on Hwy 72. Follow the signs designating the boat ramp and Homestead Park. Once you have off the highway take the first right, which will lead you to the boat ramp, the park area is past the ramp as you swing back towards the highway following the river. The pier can be seen from the road traveling towards a looped turnaround/dead end.
Visitors will see a wooden “T” shaped pier across the grounds looking at the river. The site offers no real parking in close proximity to the pier. During the time the site was reviewed a family using the pier drove across the grass to the pier and parked just off the ramp, see the pictures. There are accessible parking sites at the boat launching area but no access route from the parking lot to the pier, there is no defined pedestrian route at all to the ramp. If the accessible parking were utilized users would have to use the gravel roads and then cut across the grass to get to the pier. This would be a great distance to carry ones equipment in order to fish if you have an ambulatory disability or experiencing frailness due to aging. The distances between the accessible parking and pier is great, perhaps a city block.
The site does offer some amenities such as a picnic area, fish cleaning station and a vault toilet. The vault toilet is located off an overflow parking area for anglers parking their vehicles and trailers after placing their boat in the water.
The area is remote so cell phone service maybe a problem for you. It has many visitors especially people using the boat ramp. Across Hwy 72 is another fishing area as well as directly south of this pier at the Big Bog Recreational Area.
Location Info » For directions, click the marker in the map. »
From Waskish, Mn travel north along Hwy 72 past Big Bog Recreational Area then over the bridge going over the Tamarac River. Upon going over the bridge take the immediate right off the Hwy and then the next right which will bring you to the park complex. This first area you encounter will be the boat landing followed by the park facilities. Next will be the pier as you look towards the river. If you go to far you will come to a turnaround in the gravel taking you back. Prior to the park facilities you will see the pier. The distance from Waskish is approximately 1.1 miles.
Amenities
The larges big box stores are located in Bemidji, Mn with smaller items being able to be purchased within any of the smaller communities located in close proximity to the pier. Fishing equipment and bait can be purchased at Waskish (1 mile) or Kelliher (16 miles) south of the pier. If you travel north 41 miles to Baudette you can also food, fuel lodging and bait.
Lodging
For camping Big Bog Recreational Area offers both camping and camping cabins. Cabins can be found along the shoreline of Upper Red Lake at the many resorts situated there as well as motels at both Blackduck and Bemidji. A motel is also located along Hwy 72 where it turns north at Shooks, Mn. For people looking for accessible rooms please describe you needs to the person taking the reservation to insure they can be met.
