North Dakota Fishing - North Dakota Hunting

name: Scott McNamee
city: Grand Forks
Area: Comment
Date: Saturday May 03, 2003
Time: 04:38:30 PM

Chad....yep got the boat out.

Kent was right, we got wet...but I got 3 cats...this is the largest: 

name: Chad
city: Grand Forks
Area: Comment
: chad@catfishworld.com
Date: Saturday May 03, 2003
Time: 02:27:53 PM

Kent,Scott,

We started at the North landing last night to the South of the ramp in snagville since the other side of the ramp was occupied. We soon got tired of retying lines and moved to a different spot. We went further North to where the coulee diversion dumps into the Red. Caught one 14 inch sauger and that's it.. very slow night. We did manage to build some character lifting 12 ounce weights :). We picked up about 3 bags of trash in the area before we left...Man people are slobs. Did you put the boat in today?

Dan,

Why are you only fishing on the EGF side of the river? With a MN license you can fish from either side of the river. I would try the Central Park area which is just around the corner upstream from where you have been fishing. Go to the very southern part of the park. Theres usually a cat or 2 there that are happy to chew on some sucker. You may want to downsize your weight a little? The water isnt as turbid in Central Park. Good luck. Dont give up yet its early in the year and the sumos are a bit finicky yet.

name: Dan
city: Grand Forks
Area: Grand Forks
: daniel_krippes@und.edu
Date: Saturday May 03, 2003
Time: 01:05:27 AM

Tried the area where Red Lake river meets the Red, got nothing to speak of. Tried cut sucker and had no takers all day. Saw someone catch a nice cat, but that was about it. Does any one know any other good spots in East Grand Forks to try from shore? I've seen other people getting some very decent fish, but I have had much luck. Is there a certain rig that works better than others? I've been using a pyramid sinker in front of a swivel with a 12in. leader with a chunk of sucker. I'm from Illinois and am used to fishing for Flatheads, channel cats are a bit new to me so any info is appreciated.

name: Scott McNamee
city: Grand Forks
Area: Comment
Date: Friday May 02, 2003
Time: 04:56:27 PM

I'll be there also...with the wife and kids.

name: Kent Hollands
city: Grand Forks
Area: Comment
Date: Friday May 02, 2003
Time: 04:37:49 PM

Chad, I may drop by there tonight just to see what the ramp looks like for this weekend. I'll be driving a teal green truck. Might come to to have a few with ya. Maybe see you there.

name: Chad LaFave
city: grand forks
Area: Grand Forks
: chad@catfishworld.com
Date: Friday May 02, 2003
Time: 03:18:21 PM

Hey Kent,

They are begining to move around more and more as the days go by and the water warms. Caught my biggest one so far this year from shore at the North landing on Wednesday evening at or around 10 pounds. The bite seems to be better mid to late afternoon right now even into the early evening. As soon as the sun goes down and the air temp drops the bite comes to a hault. I havent hooked into any real hogs yet but i will be shore fishing again tonight with some friends to see if we can get into one. Tomorrow I will be launching South for a day with the kiddies and hopefully some piggies providing the water level allows us to launch South, if not i will be going North also. Lots of 3-6lb fish has been the norm. Im sure the big dogs arn't far behind. Its definintely worth getting the boat out there and shake the rust off of tackling the strong fish of the Red.

name: Scoot
city: Fargo
Area: Fargo
Date: Friday May 02, 2003
Time: 01:12:52 PM

Marty,

Good job on not only picking up after some slobs, but showing your kids the real path to being outdoorsmen (and outdoorgals). Hope you find lots of fish in return for your good deed. Calling those people who leave that crap fisherman is a lot like calling poachers hunters. If you litter like a few people who fish do, you're not a fisherman, just a slob.

Kent, the cats are just starting to get going down here. I was out the other day and did well- lots of fun. I'll be up in your neck of the woods tomorrow, but it looks like I won't have time to fish- we're showing up late tonight, then leaving tomorrow evening with work inbetween. I'll definitely be calling you this summer for a trip or two out on the Red in G.F. Scoot

name: Marty
city: Grand Forks
Area: Grand Forks
Date: Friday May 02, 2003
Time: 09:41:54 AM

Too true Eddy. Yesterday, I took my kids fishing on the Red River in Grand Forks. Quite a mess there, my 6 year old daughter finally said to me we should pick up the litter so we did in a 50 yard stretch we were at. Kind of discouraging to see this activity, a person tries to get a way for a peaceful afternoon of fishing and are forced to look at trash. I hate to think these people are fishermen (I am sure not all of the garbage comes from them)but some of it has come from fishermen. Why do people abuse something that brings them so much pleasure?

name: Kent Hollands
city: Grand Forks
Area: Comment
Date: Friday May 02, 2003
Time: 09:06:18 AM

Chad Just checking to see if you have been out yet. Are the cats starting to trun on yet. Just checking I'm thinking about getting my boat out this weekend. Going to head North, Thats no suprise since I have never went South.

name: Dan
city: Grand Forks
Area: Grand Forks
: daniel_krippes@und.edu
Date: Friday May 02, 2003
Time: 01:44:20 AM

Thanks for the reply Jeff. I tried sucker today, you weren't kidding about using a heavy line. It took quite a few hours to get a taker, but when I got one it was big (about 10lbs.). Once I got it near shore I tried to loosen the drag, and accidently tightened it right when the fish made a hard run, the line snapped, DOH! But at least I know what works for the better cats. Also saw someone get a nice pike on what looked like a rapala.

name: Jeff
city: East Grand Forks,Mn.
Area: Comment
Date: Thursday May 01, 2003
Time: 07:57:25 AM

Dan Over the years I've tried diff.(legal)cutbaits.The goldeye is suppose to be a channelcats favorite.They are silver;scales.I've got a few this spring,mostly about 5x10"and 2-3"thick.They look like a skipjack;except those Bright GoldishYellow eyes.This cutbait,and cut-suckers and of course frogs or shrimp(uncooked)are by far the most popular on the red,for the bigger fish.I guess it's just the most natural,and common food for them.The shrimp..well,maybe it's just the smell(they are really popular up around Drayton).So,use heavy line,have fun and Good Luck.

name: Dan
city: Grand Forks
Area: Grand Forks
: daniel_krippes@und.edu
Date: Thursday May 01, 2003
Time: 03:25:00 AM

Two questions; first I've been fishing where Red Lake River meets the Red River in East Grand Forks for the past few days and have seen quite a few nice cats caught. I've only been able to get one to two pound fish, and countless drum. I've been using mostly nightcrawlers, most of the big fish I've seen came on cutbait. So today I tried using some cut drum, but nothing but larger drum, lots of bites (not many takers), and a northern (which I lost at shore). Does it make a difference what kind of cutbait is used? I hear sucker is best, but it seems like cut up fish is cut up fish, and species is a minor detail. My other question is what is a Goldeneye? Are they those white, sort of shad like things?

name: Backwater Eddy
city: Horace
Area: Fargo
: backwtr1@msn.com
Date: Thursday April 24, 2003
Time: 10:40:39 AM

SLOBS BEWARE!

Ya know what? I am getting darn sick of picking up after others. I have picked up truck loads over the past years.

So, my plan is to make the individuals responsible for the trash and waist accountable for their own actions.

They can pick it up, or deal with the circumstances of their actions. Simple as that, be accountable.

I applaud folks who do regularly pick up after SLOBS, your efforts to show stewardship of out great outdoors is highly commendable, more should do so.

Yet I feel when you see SLOBS in action.

Try this once, with a garbage bag in one hand and a cell phone in the other ask them this. "You can pick it up and dispose of it properly, or I will call the TIPS LINE and have a warden describe to you exactly how trash should be handled, your choice?"

Vandalism is another deal, call TIPS and gather info for them to fallow up on. Vehicle make, plate number, descriptions, and if handy a photo or two.

More sportsman need to be pro-active and less passive about littering, vandalism, and waist.

SLOBS will get the point faster that way.

ED "Backwater Eddy" Carlson

Backwater Guiding "ED on the RD"

name: Allen
city: Grand Forks
Area: Comment
Date: Wednesday April 23, 2003
Time: 09:58:22 AM

Galen, Sounds like a business opportunity for someone if you can't buy bait in town down there.

Lots of run off on the way from the South and East into the Red River. Jumped up fast yesterday, muddy but it may get the bite on a roll. The walleye bite was improving by late day yesterday. This flash run-off will pull some nice walleye up into previously inaccessible tributaries.

We should see a good catfish bite appearing rather quickly now folks.

I have noticed a lot of Goldeye, suckers, and cats being tossed up on the banks at the Maple River Dam, and several other locations in the region.

This is a total waste of a resource and illegal to boot! You will get fined for this behavior. It is not a recommended procedure to eliminate undesirable species of fish. Besides, undesirable for one, is desirable for another. You are doing NO GOOD to the system at all by tossing fish up on the bank, none!

If you do not wish to utilize or harvest the fish, release it healthy. I personally would not hesitate tuning in anyone I see doing this.

Besides, who wants all then fish flies biting you on your next trip out, think about that once folks? And the smell…"WHEW"…who need that? The fines are not all that much fun either Eh.

Police up your TRASH too, some areas are a serious mess, what a shame. If you can pack it in, your certainly capable of packing it out when you leave.

In short, Respect the resource and ALL the other fisherman who utilize it.

Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson

Ed Carlson
Backwater Guiding
10409 CO. RD. #17 SO.
Horace, ND. 58047-9500
 

name: galen
city: wahpeton
Area: Wahpeton
: g_blazer28@hotmail.com
Date: Tuesday April 22, 2003
Time: 12:31:05 PM

the last 2 weekends have been good a few slot limit walleys but mostly carp,suckers shiners and goldeyes off the dock at kidder park with worms since you cant import live bait and there are no bait shops in wahpeton that i know of .

name: Brad Kvanbek
city: Medina
Area: Comment
: bkvanbek@mchsi.com
Date: Monday April 21, 2003
Time: 10:27:44 PM

My father and I are coming to the East Grand Forks area to fish Channel cats. We want to camp on the river, not bringing a boat, somewhere where fishing is good. Any suggestions?

name: Gary
city: Fargo
Area: Fargo
Date: Wednesday April 16, 2003
Time: 10:56:29 PM

Christine Dam south of Fargo is producing some nice fish. The last three nights released 3 walleyes over 30" and several other nice fish over 25". When the weekend comes the best fishing will be there from about 6pm-11pm. Good luck!

name: Jeff
city: East Grand Forks
Area: Comment
Date: Monday April 14, 2003
Time: 09:53:39 AM

The North(GF)ramp looked worse+my 2 WD pickup ALWAYS has problems there;so we went South(EGF)again.The river went down more.I have a old 18ft.Lund alum.,bunker trailer.Tilting the trailer is a must(+motor!).Watch the transducers.We still had to PUSH out,but only 1/2 the distance.In a week or more the water in the ramp will be at the river.Then trailers will drop off the cement!I sure miss FLOATING the boat off the trailer. It would be a good time to build all those(EGF)boat ramps(hint hint)-before all the tournaments start. Fished from 10am-6:15pm using sm(3")suckers+ a scp of fatheads.We got a stonecat,3-goldeye,16 1/2"Walleye,1-2-3+4lb Cats and 1/2 a sunburn!Got to see two does swimming across the river real close behind the boat.We just needed more water,more fish,less wind.But we'll probably go south again next weekend.Good Luck.

name: Kent Hollands
city: Grand Forks
Area: Comment
Date: Monday April 14, 2003
Time: 09:33:53 AM

Chad, Your BUSTED I can't beleive you got caught LOL. Sorry about your ice fishing stuff. Better luck next time. I was at the north damn Sat. afternoon for about two hours. Fished from shore with three goldeyes and one carp about 12 pounds being caught. Guessing the water needs to warm up a bite before the cats really start to turn on.

name: Stact
city: grand forks
Area: Grand Forks
Date: Monday April 14, 2003
Time: 01:41:31 AM

This is Chads wife and he dont know that i read what he wrote yet till tomorrow. But I thank you for saving some money on the gages but as i recalled you spent $70 on you ice fishing house so I think we are even.. LOL Have a good year at fishing.....

name: Chad
city: Grand Forks
Area: Grand Forks
Date: Sunday April 13, 2003
Time: 11:49:21 PM

Big problem. We run a 1987 Bayliner for a boat. It is 17ft long and on an average needs 3.5 to 4.5 feet of water to launch. We backed in ready to launch at LaFave park only to find that the launch was built wrong. As we decented into the water the launch leveled out. It became apparent that we were not going to be able to launch. We needed atleast 2 more feet of water to safely launch....Interesting, thoughts?

name: Chad
city: Grand Forks
Area: Comment
: chad@catfishworld.com
Date: Sunday April 13, 2003
Time: 12:28:25 AM

Fished off shore late tonight. Started at about 8:15ish and stayed till 10:15. Had a couple tugs but no takers. Spent the majority of the day getting the boat ready, cleaning it, fixing the little things that acquire throughout the year. One of the repairs was an electrical problem. Last year we were flying down the Red, and all my gauges lights got real bright, then poof, no gauges at all. Noticed smoke behind the lense of the fuel gauge. We took the gauge out today, removed the bulb, which was bad. Then i noticed there was more burnt stuff within the gauge itself. We said what the heck, gonna throw it away anyway, and tore the gauge apart. We found a resistor that had exploded. After some thought we went to radio shack bought a new resistor for 1.19. Soldered it in and wahla repair complete. New gauge was in the 70.00 area so we saved a few buks. Now i just have to figure out a way to tell the lady of the house that we saved this money and im going to use it on other fishing toys... Hard to sell im afraid :) Good luck to you all!, We will be launching from the South tomorrow, making sure the boat is water ready and fit in a couple hours of cattin.

name: Jim Pinkerman
city: Fargo
Area: Fargo
Date: Wednesday April 09, 2003
Time: 10:10:01 AM

Scoot,

Thanks for the tips. I am heading out now and will report in when I return. Hopefully I won't lose too many baits. The water is so low I just am not sure how good it will be. What other areas do you know that are south of town? Thanks again.

JP

name: Jeff (Fudjo) Rusling
city: East Grand Forks,Mn.
Area: Comment
Date: Tuesday April 08, 2003
Time: 10:46:33 PM

EGF ramp is muddy and only 12" of water.Had to jump up&down to PUSH out. Always fun the first time out tho!Fished from 6-7:30pm-using 4" suckers-got a 12"burbot and a fast 10ft run as we were about to leave.Guess I'll try the North ramp next weekend,when I have more time.Good Luck!

name: Kent Hollands
city: Grand Forks
Area: Comment
Date: Tuesday April 08, 2003
Time: 02:06:43 PM

Scoot, I'm thinking about getting the boat out this weekend. Just have to find a place to keep it during the summer since Kas has a car now. If I don't I will be tryen the banks by the north damn and if I do get it out I'm going to be jigging the edges of current breaks. Good luck on the border water if your heading up again.

name: Scoot
city: Fargo
Area: Fargo
Date: Tuesday April 08, 2003
Time: 01:13:10 PM

Jim,

I forgot to mention, if you really want to learn the ins and outs of running cranks or any other type of rigs on the Red, book a trip with Ed Carlson for a day or two. You'll learn more in one day than you'd figure out in a summer on your own. He'll take care of you for both walleyes or catfish. Money well spent. Scoot

name: Scoot
city: Fargo
Area: Fargo
Date: Tuesday April 08, 2003
Time: 12:28:37 PM

Jim,

Cranks can be very effective on the Red for walleyes. I've found this out from Ed Carlson in the past couple of years. He put me onto them a couple of years back. I prefer wide-wobble stickbaits- Salmos, Reef Runners, etc. Slow retrieves are a must. Cast along shore, not out into the channel to save from snagging too often. I caught my biggest walleye to date last fall on a crank in the Red. Good luck.

Kent, When you getting the boat out and ready? It won't be too long now! Scoot

name: Jim Pinkerman
city: Fargo
Area: Fargo
: jpinkerman@ctusa.net
Date: Tuesday April 08, 2003
Time: 10:51:22 AM

I am very interested in fishing for walleye on the red using crankbaits. Does anyone have information/advice on this? I was up at North Dam yesterday and the water is very low. With the warming water coming on it seems like crankbaiting could be very fruitful. Also, could someone shed a light on the license and which side of the river I can fish on? I have a ND resident license and some places seem like they would be better to fish from the MN side. Thoughts? Thanks for any help. Tight lines!

name: Scott McNamee
city: Grand Forks
Area: Comment
Date: Thursday April 03, 2003
Time: 09:17:29 PM

Close, Chad, but not quite:

It is my understanding that a fisherman (bearing only a Minnesota license), may fish any tributary (of the Red River) up to the first vehicular crossing in the State of North Dakota.

If you only hold a North Dakota fishing license, you CANNOT fish any Minnesota tributary. The line is 'shore to shore'. (An imaginary line) This line is from shore to shore on the tributary.

If this is confusing to anyone reading this, let me know and I'll put up a graphic to explain it....

name: chad
city: grand forks
Area: Fargo
Date: Thursday April 03, 2003
Time: 08:40:15 PM

Greg not sure on where to fish the fargo area since i fish here in Grand Forks all the time but concerning the legality of where you can fish is this. If your a license is MN you can fish either side of the Red River, but the Red River only. Any tribitaries that drain into the REd on the ND side are off limits unless you get a non resident license and thats the same for ND fishermen fishing on the MN side of the Red.

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