North Dakota Fishing - North Dakota Hunting

name: Backwater Eddy
city: Fargo
Area: Wahpeton
: backwtr1@msn.com
Date: Wednesday September 17, 2003
Time: 02:43:25 AM

Red_River

Jim with the water at these levels you will find the going very tough if not imposable near Wahpeton to up to Fargo ND. Bring extra props for sure if you try.

The section above the Mid-Town Dam in Fargo is runnable with a rig your size. After that you will need to head farther North to Grand Forks and work the Red from the EGF Launch to the South. You may find a launch site closer if your adventurous, but do not expect ramps below any of the dams to be of much use to you right now.

Wherever you do try, be prepared for complications!

Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson

name: Backwater Eddy
city: Horace
Area: Other area
: backwtr1@msn.com
Date: Wednesday September 17, 2003
Time: 02:34:10 AM

Red_River

Kris It really doesn't matter where I fish, fish the pattern as it applies to your waters.

Try looking up into the tributary rivers that have any flow at all right now. Then search out the drainage ditch areas that feed the rivers/tributaries. Many times these areas are hot at night and are very shallow, like 1-3'. These prime frog migration routs will be the spot on the spot for frog run fall walleye. ;)

Fish the fish that are ready to eat...yup..yup!

:D

GO Fish!

~~~~~><,sUMo,>

Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson

name: Kris Moen
city: Gilby
Area: Other area
: moener25@hotmail.com
Date: Wednesday September 17, 2003
Time: 12:27:58 AM

Red_River

Backwater Eddy, What portions of the Red in Central ND are you fishing?? I am from the northern RRV and usually fish a couple of confluences up north (turtle and forest rivers) Any ideas on what I should be using this time of year for the walleys?? Should I stick with cranks and powerbait, or should I go and buy some live bait?? I will be trying for the first time in awhile there this weekend and will definitely let you know.

name: Jim Hoffman
city: Alexandria
Area: Wahpeton
: jhoff0989@aol.com
Date: Tuesday September 16, 2003
Time: 09:25:00 AM

Red_River

I have not yet tried cat fishing but am very interested in giving it a try. Does anyone launch a boat in Wahpeton? Woudl I be better off driving up to Fargo with the low water?. I have a 14 foot jon boat with a 25 hp outboard. Is the water high enough or will a rookie river rat get in trouble. Where is the access in fargo? Appreciate any help I can get.

name: Backwater Eddy
city: Horace
Area: Fargo
: backwtr1@msn.com
Date: Tuesday September 16, 2003
Time: 07:52:12 AM

Red_River

This past couple of days the walleye have begun to turn on in the central Red. Cats are good yet if you spend the time and look for active fish.

The walleye are big but not numerous so far. Yesterday in one location I pulled 2 over 29" (C&R) on weedless Super Do Jigs, shads, and grubs in less then a half hour. I have not taken to toting live baits like minnows with yet. I likely will not tell the water temp drops into the mid 50's either.

Cranks have been very good on SM Bass and walleye at night. Keep them shallow and close to structure, and slow. For numbers this has been the best so far for me.

The best is yet to come but...we are headed in the right direstion...Yup...yup!

Ed Carlson

"Backwater Guiding"
 701-281-2300

name: Dan
city: grand forks
Area: Grand Forks
: daniel_krippes@und.edu
Date: Sunday September 14, 2003
Time: 09:17:43 PM

Red_River

Got absolutely skunked on cats today, friday I caught (and of course released) a behemoth of 38in., in the weeks before I caught several in the 5-15lb. class. But, none today. Does anyone know if it is already too cold, or will the cat bite hold for just a little longer? I did see a boat (I fish from shore) pull up to snag and catch and release some big cats. Is that the key for colder water, probe the snags? (I usually fish deep holes near fast water) Despite not scratching any cats I did manage to catch six pike from 15-31in. So not a bad day all-in-all.

name: Stu McKay
city: locport
Area: Canada
: redcats@mts.net
Date: Friday September 12, 2003
Time: 10:55:45 AM

Red_River

Cats are going ballistic!

Yesterday, four of my guide boats caught a combined number of "160" cats! The vast majority of these beasts were trophy size. Once again the bait of choice for these guys was tullibee. I spoke to some others that have been enjoying success using frogs, sucker and goldeye. The clock is ticking, but this action will remain intact for a couple more weeks before they wind down. By then we hope the "big" 'eyes will be in.

Fish "Hard" Forever!

name: Stu McKay
city: locport
Area: Canada
: redcats@mts.net
Date: Friday September 12, 2003
Time: 10:55:41 AM

Red_River

Cats are going ballistic!

Yesterday, four of my guide boats caught a combined number of "160" cats! The vast majority of these beasts were trophy size. Once again the bait of choice for these guys was tullibee. I spoke to some others that have been enjoying success using frogs, sucker and goldeye. The clock is ticking, but this action will remain intact for a couple more weeks before they wind down. By then we hope the "big" 'eyes will be in.

Fish "Hard" Forever!

name: Stu McKay
city: locport
Area: Canada
: redcats@mts.net
Date: Wednesday September 10, 2003
Time: 09:53:10 AM

Red_River

Just a quick update on conditions on the Lower Red. The water levels are at a fifteen year low, but the good news is it hasn't effected the cats desire to feed. The fact that were now well into September, ol' whiskers has really got the feed bag on! Yesterday one of my guides produced a total of thirty six big cats, many of which were over twenty pounds. In fact the day before his boat produced a "forty incher" that tipped the scales at thirty and a half pounds! This pattern will remain for another couple of weeks or until the water temps dictate differnt. In other words when the water temps drop too low the cats will eventually shut down.

Fish "Hard" Forever!

name: Ed "Backwater Eddy"
city: Horace
Area: Fargo
: backwtr1@msn.com
Date: Monday September 08, 2003
Time: 03:40:52 PM

Red_River

This past weekend the very low flows and low water levels had the bite a Little slow. The best overall bite was in the very early morning hours and again after dusk.

Tough to find a magic bait for the cats, frogs and cuts were about the same. Frogs got the most hits yet them cats were not holding baits well or for long.

We didn't target walleye much so no new reports there. We did catch several very nice SM Bass on a few spillways on the Red. Last week we found a mixed bag of SM and walleye on these same areas. Once we again see a cooling trend I feel the walleye action will pick back up.

The Cat's are picking up steam again up North on the lower Red. The lower Red on the Canadian end has already seen a interesting walleye bite develop. Keep your eyes on that one folks, it may be a great fall up North for big walleye!

Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson

Backwater Guiding 701-281-2300

name: Canuck
city: Lockport
Area: Canada
Date: Sunday September 07, 2003
Time: 12:31:35 AM

Red_River

The kitties have finally turned on. Fished Lockport from 3 til 7PM today, Saturday, with 3 people and boated 9 fish (lost about another 10) with only one under 20 lbs and that one was 18.7, the largest was 27.6 lbs. Where ever they went they were feeding, cause they sure are fat piggies and hungry now.

name: Scuba
city: Fargo
Area: Comment
Date: Saturday September 06, 2003
Time: 02:46:58 PM

Red_River

Brad,

A 35 inch channel cat is about 17.8 pounds. Check the below link for more estimated weight in pounds for different fish.

http://www.state.nd.us/gnf/fishing/redbro.html

name: Stu McKay
city: Lockport, mb
Area: Canada
: redcats@mts.net
Date: Thursday September 04, 2003
Time: 10:38:08 AM

Red_River

The Red's warming up!

The past few days on the Lower Red has been producing some nice 'eyes. There are rep[orts coming in about guys enjoying good success on the northern stretches of the river, closer to Lake Winnipeg. All this coincides with what I've been predicting all along regarding the approaching fall season. Witht he infestation of emerald shiners into the river, the fall walleye run just might be expolsive! Loads of shiners should produce loads of "BIG EYES"! It's still early and only time will tell for sure how the fall run will unfold. Personally I think that over the next couple of weeks the reports are going to be very interesting and very positive. Only time will tell, so stay tuned if you're interested in catching walleye in the double digit's!

Fish "Hard" Forever!

name: Backwater Eddy
city: Horace
Area: Fargo
: backwtr1@msn.com
Date: Tuesday September 02, 2003
Time: 10:18:54 AM

Red_River

The catfishing and increasingly so the walleye fishing is very good on the Red River of the North.

In the recent weeks we have seen exceptional catfishing on most of the Red River system. One of the best seasons I have seen in a while in fact. Lots of big cats plus numbers of eater sized cats on most every outing. Some of the best baits have been fresh cut Goldeye and frogs. Frogs will increasingly be the hot bait as the calendar creeps into fall, for catfish and walleye alike. Crankbaits run along shallow structure in the evening has produced some very nice walleye in recent days. Soon we will see more of a nocturnal bite if traditional fall patterns hold true. Over-sized plastics have also proved to be valuable in the fall, sumo sized tube baits are ones I like.

Decreasing water levels has us concerned and limits boat accessibility and safety on many sections of the Red. On many sections of the Red if you are not running a specialized boat designed for skinny water, such as a River Pro Hi-Pro, you are not running. Caution is well advised on all of the Red, especially for prop rigs. The past 3 weeks has seen some of the lowest levels in recent memory. This is partly due to work under way at a dam on the Otter Tail River that has now been completed, and due to no new rains on the basin. We should see the river on the rise soon. We do need rain, plenty of rain to get the system full again.

A mysterious and very isolated fish die off appeared on the Red just North of Fargo a week ago Sunday. It was a very representative type kill, everything from catfish to pike were hit, and everything in between. All sizes and all age groups in a small section were found on snags and floating free on the Red. A fish kill is a very disheartening sight for any lover of rivers like myself.

The MN DNR and the NDG&F plus many other water quality agencies were fast on the scene investigating the incident. Water and tissue samples have been collected to try to isolate and identify the culprit. What we see so far is it has been limited and in not showing any sign of continuing. No new kills have been discovered since the one last Sunday. So that is encouraging. Toxicology reports are due soon so we should have more to work with to determine the cause or causes of the incident. So far the finger is pointing at a combination of low DO (dissolved oxygen) levels and high water temps. If this is indeed the case, it is mother nature just doing her balancing act, lets hope that is all it was.

The walleye bite should just get better from now on. Fall is most definitely big walleye time here on the Red River of the North! This past weekend we boated some very nice walleye, so it may be starting already.

Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson

Backwater Guiding "ED on the RED" 701-281-2300

backwtr1@msn.com Where to find Ed on the WWW.

"Piggy's are my business, and business is good"

><,sUMo,>

name: Brad
city: Grand Forks
Area: Fargo
Date: Monday September 01, 2003
Time: 11:01:36 PM

Red_River

Jamison, \Thanks for returning your fish to the river. That is how we will keep the river strong. As far a the weight I could be anywhere from 18 to 22 pounds. It is really hard to tell. My bet would be right around 19-20lb. Great catch.

name: Jamison
city: Fargo
Area: Fargo
Date: Monday September 01, 2003
Time: 10:54:01 PM

Red_River

Can anyone tell me how much a 35in.long channel catfish would weigh? We had a tape measure but no scale. We measured it and returned it to the river. Thanks in advance.

Jamie

name: Phil
city: Selkirk
Area: Comment
Date: Thursday August 28, 2003
Time: 12:38:09 PM

Red_River

Still a bit of time to kill before the walleye run on the Red River starts (lake Winnipeg run). Some of the surrounding creeks and rivers are starting to produce a little.

name: Wayne Seckerson
city: Bismarck, ND
Area: Comment
: seckerone@bis.midco.net
Date: Tuesday August 26, 2003
Time: 05:27:44 PM

Red_River

Stolen Aqua VU Camera- My camera was stolen from my pickup in Bismarck on 8/23/03. It is the older style one piece camera that stands about 2 feet. It has hidden identifing marks so I can identify it when i see it. If you know of anyone selling or attempting to trade please call me Wayne Seckerson 1-701-222-0998 or seckerone@bis.midco.net There is not very many cameras of this type around. Thank You, Wayne Seckerson 1734 6th Street North Bismarck, ND 58501

name: Brad
city: Grand Forks
Area: Canada
Date: Tuesday August 26, 2003
Time: 12:17:15 PM

Red_River

Stu,

We had a great time. Both of the Jasons were so impressed with the place that I think if they could have they would have stayed another week. Hopefully that becomes an annual trip. (They walleye guide needs a break you know) I'm sure that you haven't seen the last of us at Cats on the Red. Thanks Again

name: Stu McKay
city: R1A3R9
Area: Canada
: redcats@mts.net
Date: Tuesday August 26, 2003
Time: 11:34:00 AM

Red_River

Brad, Glad to see that you faired well, maybe not as well as expected but none the less you guys put together some nice fish, way to go.

By the way I had the opportunity to try out Scott's anchor and I have to give top billing! It's everything you could expect and good anchor to be and more. Besides adequately securing the boat in place everytime, it's also easy to bring back to the suface. This brings to mind weather or not Scott offers these anchor's for sale to the public. If so he should make it known that they're available, he won't have any problems selling them!

Fish "Hard" Forever!

name: Brad
city: Grand Forks
Area: Canada
Date: Tuesday August 26, 2003
Time: 09:44:20 AM

Red_River

Canuck,

You should have knocked on the door, we were up just not moving all that much yet.

We ended up catching less each night and moving more each night. Saturday we caught the least amount of fish but the size was considerably better. Jason caught only three fish but they were all over 20 pounds with the biggest being 25# and finished his specialist. The other Jason is now a catman. Having never landed a cat before he said he has never experienced a fight like that. All in all it was a nice relaxing trip and we managed to catch a fair amount of fish in adverse conditions. After talking to other people at the resort I think we did as well as anyone.

Nice to see you again while we were there.

name: Canuck
city: Lockport
Area: Canada
Date: Monday August 25, 2003
Time: 11:38:32 PM

Red_River

So Brad, how did U do night fishing for the Kitties. It appears to be picking up alittle during the day. That refreshment on Friday after that horrible day on the water was much appreciated. I check on Saturday but U guys were still in bed, hopefully resting your arms from fighting those kitties.

Jim

name: lyn
city: fargo
Area: Fargo
: sherrpooh@hotmail.com
Date: Saturday August 23, 2003
Time: 10:52:42 AM

Red_River

Went fishing at north dam here in fargo wow!! is the water low, nothing for fish just not enough water, lowest i have ever seen Tried north river few cats 6,8 lbs Was going to try oxbow but apparently they wont let you fish there anymore what a shame nice fishing hole when the waters low, always a few walleyes there.If anyone knows any deep holes drop me a line.

name: Stu McKay
city: Lockport, mb
Area: Canada
: redcats@mts.net
Date: Friday August 22, 2003
Time: 08:55:20 AM

Red_River

The Fall Walleye Run.......

With a little good fortune and the contination of a strong emerald shiner base in the Red River this year, the Fall Classic walleye run could prove to be interesting. At present the Lower Red is stuffed full with these extremely important little bait fish in which many fish species are so dependent on. I first noticed large numbers of emerald's approximately 3 weeks ago. About the same time the sauger also started showing up in force. Not only has the action on sauger been hot, there's been quite a few confirmed reports of walleye being caught. This isn't uncommon for the Red for some 'eyes to show in August providing there's hugh numbers of shiner's in the system. If the presence of the emerald shiner remains strong in the Red for the fall, my gut feeling is that there'll be one very impressive showing of big 'eyes entering the system. The propects are exciting to say the least and if the truth be told we're two years over due. The past two season were slow and disappointing to say the least.

A repeat of 1999 might be a little too much to ask for, ah but then again why not......one can always live in hope!

Fish "Hard" Forever!

name: ibwhnt
city: Grand Forks
Area: Grand Forks
Date: Wednesday August 20, 2003
Time: 09:12:51 AM

Red_River

From the North boat landing to the first big tree in the river on the ND side it ok stay in the middle of the river. From there we found that staying 1/3 in from the ND side to be the deepest run, "warning" stay away from MN side very shallow. Be careful for about the next 3/4 mile once you get past the cow farm on the ND side it deepens out. The first stright run was ok to run the other night. Watching the depth finder it read from 7 to 10 feet the whle way but remember this if you off or track you could be in shallower water. Just read the river she tells you when it getting to shallow to run. After the that first long stright run the next mile and a half to two miles are pretty tricky, we stayed closer to the ND side here again and picked are way around the boils. Don't go on a windy day or you will be in trouble. Thats about as far as time would allow us to go. I have heard reports that it gets even shallower the farther you go.

name: Backwater Eddy
city: Fargo
Area: Grand Forks
: backwtr1@msn.com
Date: Wednesday August 20, 2003
Time: 04:39:04 AM

Red_River

Thanks for the report ibwhnt.

How far North you running?

Once you get past the tail-out bars below the ramp things straighten up don't they?

Low and slow for that section is common in late summer and fall.

Same thing North of Fargo at this time. A deadhead jungle with 3-4 flats common in the first 6 miles of river. North from Wahpeton, rock and sand, very tough now.

Caution is the word for sure.

Thanks again,

Ed

name: ibwhnt
city: Grand Forks
Area: Grand Forks
Date: Tuesday August 19, 2003
Time: 09:25:20 AM

Red_River

Backwater, went out last night from the north ramp. It is very shallow in certain spots. We hit bottom three different times but we did manage to find a two foot area to come back in but the are mud bars sticking up all over. 12' boat and small motor if you come up this way. We only fished for 2 and a half hrs last night and landed a 17,12,8,5 and my son had a blast casting for goldeye. I'm sure the south end is just fine for bigger boats but I have always fished North, just like getting away from the crowds.

name: Backwater Eddy
city: Fargo
Area: Grand Forks
: backwtr1@msn.com
Date: Monday August 18, 2003
Time: 06:18:08 PM

Red_River

I spoke with the good folks up at the GF & EGF Parks department.

Sounds like they were very receptive to my comments on cleaning the boat ramps with a backhoe so they are more accessible to all. We will likely see a bigger drop yet in river levels, so the ramps would need quick attention.

They seam to be very open minded folks, lets be sure to thank them when you see them guys! Keeping them parks and ramps up is a constant challenge on the Red.

Thanks again to the GF & EGF Parks and street Department crews for all your good work!

Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson

name: Stu McKay
city: Lockport, mb
Area: Canada
: redcats@mts.net
Date: Friday August 15, 2003
Time: 02:20:05 PM

Red_River

Just a quick update to fill you in on how the low water levels and hot temperatures are effecting the catch rates on the Lower Red. In a nutshell low water levels and hot weather will take it's toll on all fisheries including catfish. The water levels were so low here in Lockport that yesterday I was actually forced to close the ramp down to the public. Reason being is that with a constant battering day and night of strong southerly winds, Lake Winnipeg was doing all she could to empty this portion of the river. As of this morning the winds have finally switched back to the north and the water has already come up two feet. One of my guides ran a trip starting at 6 this morning and he ended up putting the guests onto 8 nice cats. All but one was over 34 inches. Needless to say they had a good time. Can't wait for September to roll around......cats by the ton and hopefully those big 'eyes will appear in force.

Fish "Hard' Forever!

Back to the Archive of Fishing Reports