By Brad Durick
The water temperatures have really come up the past few days in the northern reaches of the Red River. Some sections of the flow are producing fish better than others. Most areas are fishing like it is mid-summer as the lack of current seems to have not sparked the catfish to make their annual upstream migration.
The best spots to locate big fish have been deeper water in the middle of the channel. Move fairly quickly not staying more than 20-30 minutes unless you are on fish.
The best bait has been goldeye with sucker coming in second. There continues to be a lot of the picking and pecking we have experienced over the last couple of weeks still, so use smaller baits to ensure the fish gets the hook.
By Brad Durick
The water temperature on the northern Red River has stayed fairly stable all week and is beginning to go up again with this week’s warm up.
The water temperature as of May 12 registered 57 degrees, n some sections of the river this has the fish beginning to kick into high gear and in other sections it really has not made a big difference yet. It may be that because the river is extremely low and the lack of current is not spurring the upstream migration that we are used to most springs.
The past week fishing in deeper, faster water has been the key. Anglers are still sorting through quite a few little catfish in order to get to the big ones. Frozen sucker has been a great bait with fresh offerings picking up more each day; goldeyes are also working well. Things still have room to pick up as we get warmer weather over the weekend and into next week.
By Brad Durick
The water temperature on the Red River finally reached 50 degrees last Friday and with that increase the bite has started improve a little each day.
There has been lots of picking and pecking by catfish with some good solid hits mixed in, showing an increase in activity. The big fish are coming alive right now and it appears it will only get better from here.
With these recent improvements, there really is no set pattern as there are fish to be caught everywhere. Anglers are using cutbait or frogs set at the bottom using a 20 to 30 minute sit time to connect with fish. Have a few places staked out for your efforts and keep moving until you find what works for you.
Beginning April 29, Dakota Edge Outdoors is teaming up with experienced catfishing guide Brad Durick to share the exciting catfishing opportunities available to anglers on the Red River in northeastern North Dakota.
As a licensed catfish guide and promoter and supporter of the incredible fishing resource that is the northern Red River, Durick’s insight will help anglers explore this unique opportunity and share ways to catch catfish on flows throughout the state.
“Brad’s incredible experience and ability to put bruiser catfish in the boat will help our readers expand their fishing horizons and find more success for these unique fish, not only on the Red but on rivers throughout the upper Midwest,” said DEO Managing Member Nick Simonson, adding “we look forward to his regular seasonal contributions, along with tips and tactics for finding the biggest catfish that North Dakota has to offer.”