North Dakota Fishing Reports-Archive for the Red River
 

Current North Dakota Fishing Reports

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"Cat"illac man
Lockport
Canada
redcats@mts.net
Sunday September 15, 2002
03:56:51 PM

Hey Walleye Slayer,

Not a lot to report on 'eyes at this time except things are still slow. However things should start to pick up as the days go by. We're catching loads of Sauger, this holds especially true for those fishing closer or near the dam. Keep in mind that it's still early. The water temp. is still in the high sixties, however it shouldn't be long before it drops into the fifties. That's when things will start picking up regarding 'eyes.

Regards,

Stu


Backwater Eddy
Fargo/Horace
Fargo
backwtr1@msn.com
Sunday September 15, 2002
09:47:57 AM

Catfishing is good all over right now; they are feeding up right on schedule in preparation for a long winter.

Walleye action has been a bit slow and tough to pattern on the Red as of yet. Some of the tributaries of the Red River have been very good, look to deeper holes with marsh's associated and you will find walleye.

I am still feeding active fish frogs, both the cats and the walleye. Cranks are starting to produce on walleye as are jigs tipped with minnows. I have not spent much time with chubs on slip rigs, although that would be a very good option for shore anglers sitting on the head or tail out areas of holes in the evening.

The best fall fishing is not far off so don't get too hung up on hunting and forget to go fishing. We are blessed to live in a region where we can fish and hunt very easily in the same areas, on the same day, take advantage of this if you can.

Ed Carlson Backwater Guiding 701-281-2300 backwtr1@msn.com


Backwater Eddy
Fargo/Horace
Comment
backwtr1@msn.com
Friday September 13, 2002
11:54:12 AM

(Break in at Thorne Bro's.)

In case none of you are aware, Thorne Bro's. was broke into a week or so ago, it was smash and run job.

Someone did a see guy trying to sell the stuff at a gas station in the vicinity of Ham Lake a week ago but the guy bolted before the Lic. plate was taken.

As you may know, muskie fishing is expensive enough as it is and the cost will probally go up after the new alarm and cameras are installed.

The following is a very brief list of some of the high end Items that were taken. If you would see this guy(s) trying to sell this stuff, please get a License plate number and contact Thorne Bro's. A.S.A.P. 763-572-3782

Numerous Calcutta's 400 TE 401 TE 300 TE Lots of Loomis and St. Croix rods along with a number of custom Thorne Bro's. rods.

Keep your eye's and ear's peeled and help catch this bum.

Backwater Eddy.....><sUMo>


Kent Hollands
Grand Forks
Grand Forks

Friday September 13, 2002
06:30:11 AM

Scoot, I going with your brother to chase some goats and maybe put that tag on a mule deer. But when I get back I will live on the river until the bugs a froze out. I can't beleive how bad they are. Was out at my parents house the other day and we had to run into the house they were so bad. Were going to have to hook up before it starts getting really cold. Anyway I better get going have a couple of things to do before I'm ready. Later Cuz


Brad Durick
Grand Forks
Grand Forks

Thursday September 12, 2002
10:59:55 AM

Spent the past couple of evenings out fishing with my wife. The fish were cooperating enough to keep things interesting. The first night we caught four small cats and the second my wife caught a 11+. All in all fishing was good for not moving around very much.


Brad Durick
Grand Forks
Grand Forks

Monday September 09, 2002
07:19:08 AM

Finally got back into the river on Sunday. Amazingly the cats were active even with the falling water. The bite was light and the fish wern't huge but it was still fun. I ended with five fish. Four were over 5lb and the biggest was about 8.5lb. Only used cut sucker for bait.

It should be a great month to catch cats.


Cat Eye Outfitter
Manitoba
Comment
dkiazyk2000@yahoo.ca
Sunday September 08, 2002
07:31:19 PM

Put in a long day today on the Red from Selkirk to the lake. Caught a couple of cats (one on a crank) and quite a few saugers. Saugers bit early morning and the evening on jigs (3/8 chart/orange) with shiners. Caught one small walleye as the last fish of the day ....and it shone nicely. Didn't meet a lot of people who caught many walleye but people were still having good success with the cats. And for something really different .. on Saturday did a drift on the Assiniboine river (about 35km in length 9 hrs.) from pth 340 to #5 highway through the Carberry Sandhills... we pulled spinners/bouncers and used worms and minnows, some jigging as well.... and caught a good number of cats (up to 11#) and wide range of walleye up to 26.5". Very few people fish this area (we were the ONLY boat) although we did meet a couple of farmers who were shore fishing for walleye.

------------------ Dan Kiazyk Cat Eye Outfitter http://www.geocities.com/dkiazyk2000 dkiazyk2000@mail.com


Backwater Eddy
Fargo/Horace
Fargo
backwtr1@msn.com
Saturday September 07, 2002
12:31:17 PM

Thanks for the report "Cat"tillac man.

I'll pass it along the bite is on.

Man I wish I could be up there this weekend Eh.

Backwater Eddy.....><sUMo>


"Cat"tillac man
Lockport
Canada
redcats@mts.net
Saturday September 07, 2002
06:14:55 AM

Hey Backwater,

Just to let you know that we hammered them yesterday. Regardless of where we fished, deep or shallow, those "kitties" were cooperating fully. In all, we boated a total of nineteen trophies. We also caught our share of smaller fish. Bait of choice, Goldeye, frogs and Sucker, they were all productive. However, Sucker was the least productive, Goldeye and frogs were a toss-up. This is very typical this time of year.

There's a lot of water moving thru the system at this time. At the momment this means the Sauger and Walleye action has come to a halt! Unlike ol'whiskers, 'eyes, sauger and others don't fare too well when the water gets all churned up.

Providing the rain situation throughout the valley settles down, we should be back hunting for 'eyes around the third week. Only time will tell.

Good luck this weekend!


Backwater Eddy
Fargo/Horace
Fargo
backwtr1@msn.com
Thursday September 05, 2002
07:56:49 AM

Hunt & Fish, Fish & Hunt man some folks just got er made Eh?

Word is lots of water and lots of cats too. Dennis Flom was just up there and scored over a 1000 lbs in a day, Uh-Da. Cats boiling all over the place, like stars in the sky. Sounds like a hoot to me.

Looks like maybe a week from now I may be up for the weekend with Big (Cork'n Suck's) Shanon Bredeson. I would run up this weekend but I am booked up for a while so I need to hang tight state side. I bet this week will be a piggy fest?

Hope to catch up to you then Canuck.

Ed


Canuck
Lockport
Pembina

Thursday September 05, 2002
06:40:28 AM

Ed. Got back midnight on Tuesday. Sure enjoyed Cabela's in Dundee. I tried to reply to U via but got it returned, something about I had the wrong address. Sounds like U had fun with Berkley guys, any info on them about the rods I really like. Drove by the locks yesterday and found they have opened a couple of the gates. I will not be able to go fishing for a couple of days, hve to haul hay then elk hunt.

Are U headed this way?????

Jim.


adam
winnipeg
Canada
alembury@shaw.ca
Tuesday September 03, 2002
08:44:35 PM

I was at Lockport last weekend. Most people weren't catching much just a few cats here and there.I myself only made out with one catfish,roughly 15-16 lbs. The rest of the day I fished for sauger by the loc gate.I ended up with three decent sized fish, which to my surprise were very delicious. I was very sceptical about river fish and there eatability but they were great, even my girlfriend who doesn't like fish all that much thought they were really good. P.S. sauger would only bite live minnows, they wouldn't touch dead ones and not even ones that died on the hook. also if you know were i can find leeches let me know otherwise I'll have to go to Brandon,MB to get some.


Backwater Eddy
Fargo/Horace
Wahpeton
backwtr1@msn.com
Tuesday September 03, 2002
05:13:28 PM

Yup, lots of eaters on that stretch of the red. Did you get into the SM Bass? There are some very nice SM bass on the water you were on. The bottom content has alowed the SM to do very well and nobody really fishes them, very low presure.

You will find a few piggys here and there but the eaters do rule the head of the red.

Ya have to love the miles of river with no other boats though, it is very peaceful and makes for a great trip.


Katmando
Brainerd
Wahpeton

Tuesday September 03, 2002
10:17:41 AM

Eddy - thanks for the warning. I have an outboard jet on a 15'heavy duty jon that gets me just about anywhere with caution. This strech does have an appetite for anchors however, best to tie onto a snag. Anyway, I put in at Fort Abercrombie on Sunday and probably got 50-60 from 2-4lbs, not big but too many to count, frogs and cut sucker both worked. Every big snag on an outside bend holds fish. Pretty up there, small river, lots of cover no people, but no piggies.


Backwater Eddy
Fargo/Horace
Other area
backwtr1@msn.com
Friday August 30, 2002
09:46:20 PM

KATMANDO ~~~ Be cautious with any boat on that stretch if the water is low. Lots of rock that will cost you North of Kidder Dam and Brushvill landings.

Larger boat I would not recomend running that section at this time. A jet drive would work but yet be cautious North by the 5 islands.

Ed



Muddy Waters
St. Norbert, South W
Canada
plapointe1@shaw.ca
Thursday August 29, 2002
11:04:02 PM

Been fishin at the floodway control structure at St. Norbert for too many years,since it was built actually.!! Lost more lead and hooks,than a one armed fisherman.! Felt it was time,for someone to give a report on fishin the "Red" between Fargo and Lockport.Noticed lots talk about the bigguns in "Luckport" and yet nuthin about the big pussies between St.Norbert and Emerson.!Hint"Richardson Farms". Hint"Glenlea Research Station." Could it be the"contents contained in the runoff after a heavy rain.??! Food for thought.?? Anyways,There are a million potholes in the Red between St.Norbert and Emerson, all contain fat cats and other scary things (carp and sturgeon).Anyways,I am at the evil 'gates'most evenings and will report ,if there is an interest.


Jason
Brandon
Canada
jglutek@westman.wave.ca
Thursday August 29, 2002
06:39:12 PM

Snowman, Were you using Eddies "corking" technique. And if you were what part of the River. I was out on Satrday and saw a boat right up to the Locks, right in front of the piling were there water was coming out of the Locks and were boating Cats like crazy was that you guys? I never had any luck till night came around... Fill me in.. I might be back up on Saturday. me privately, I would be VERY INTERESTED in the details. Nice Haul! Jason


Snowman
Fargo
Canada

Tuesday August 27, 2002
10:05:59 AM

Fished the Red at Selkirk/Lockport last Saturday and Sunday. Three of us picked up 30 cats, most in the 32-36" range. Our biggest two went 40" and 41" and both came back to back late Saturday night. We tried various baits, but frogs were the only thing that we were able to catch anything on.

A big "Thank You" to Backwater Eddy, there is no way we could have done it without you. We may be spoiled for life, 'cause from now on a 25" cat is going to look awfully small compared to the monsters we pulled out this weekend. If you are looking for a good trip with someone who really knows his stuff, give Ed a call!


Kent Hollands
Grand Forks
Grand Forks

Monday August 26, 2002
12:19:49 PM

Fishing is not what it should be at this time of year. Most years the cats are feeding big time by now but they haven't yet. If the river stays stable along with the weather it should help. Light tackle is the trick right now. If you do happen to get bites they are very very light and If your using the old stiff rod they will drop the bait. If your using a lighter rod your chance of been hite a couple of times improves. So hold the rod in hand and be ready for the light taps. Cutbait and worms are not working at this time for cats so try to get ahold of some frogs, I'm sure this will improve you odds of catching more and bigger fish.


Brad Durick
Grand Forks
Grand Forks

Monday August 26, 2002
07:39:12 AM

Spent Sunday evening on the the old Red. Started at about 3:30 pm and were right into fish. They were biting very light. You had to be quick when they picked it up or they would drop it right away.

We ended the day with six fish. Four in 4-6 pound mark, and two smaller. Cut sucker was the bait of choice.


Canuck
Lockport
Pembina

Saturday August 24, 2002
04:42:34 AM

Jason, the way I catch goldeyes is rather simple, like me. I use light line the same unit I use for pickerel then put on a small hook somthing the size you would use for brookies, put a slip shot sinker about 1 1/2"above the hook then take a slip bobber and this is where you experiment with depth. I usually start at 2 feet and go down to 5 feet. Use a small piece of worm and I mean small piece of worm even garden worms work good. Try the area where the current meets the slack water. I may have mentioned before but one of the best areas at Lockport I have found is on the East shore across from Cats on the Red just north of where U will see 2 large trees dead trees on the shore. Cut the goldeyes into about 1" pieces (whole U wants the guts) and the head of of the better baits. Good Luck. As you are headed east to catfish I am headed out the door to Sand Hills to set up for Elk (archery)

Good Luck.


Jason
Brandon
Canada
jglutek@westman.wave.ca
Friday August 23, 2002
09:23:11 PM

Jim (Canuck), I would like to thank both yourself and Eddie very much for sharing your expertise in fishing the Red. Once again I seek more of you knowledge. I here people like yourself speaking of going out and catching Goldeye with somewhat ease. I have no experience with Goldeye and am not sure where to locate them or how to catch them.

Last year while up by Lockport I suspected Goldeye when I saw fish surface on an outer corner between Lockport and Selkirk. Not knowing know to go about catching them I threw on a small spinner with a light weight line and had NO success. Any advice for a pupil like myself.

PS: Im geared up to try Backwater Eddies "corking" technique this weekend. (Am very excited about the fruits of this technique. (Will be dreaming of catching Sumo Piggies on "corking" tonight) Thanks for sharing your knowledge!!!!!!! Jason


Canuck
Lockport
Canada

Thursday August 22, 2002
08:04:34 PM

Brad: I will be down in Michigan from the 27th til the 3rd Sept so may catch up with U from the 3 til 5th. The bite of frogs may be over but I say MAY, I went out and caught 10 goldeyes across from Cats on the Red this evening in about 45 min and put them on ice. I have found in the past couple of years the cats seem to go off frogs and turn back on to goldeyes or tulibulues. I would sugguest you ask Stu at Cats on the Red when you get up what the bite is when you get here. If frogs are a still a go check out the north end of Selkirk park (bring a small cheap butterfly net) or go north on Main street right through Selkirk about until the road turns into gravel, then travel about 4 km or 3 miles and when you see a yellow ice shack on the right side of the road next to the Red go about another 200 yds and you will see the Red very close to the road (on your right side). The frog picking was real good there last week. Good luck and keep a tight line. Sure wouldn't mind seeing your dog, I have a lab too.

Jim.


Backwater Eddy
Fargo/Horace
Fargo
backwtr1@msn.com
Thursday August 22, 2002
03:29:25 PM

Att. Chad LaFave

Ya-yu-betch-ya slip floats work on many types of structure. Cats dig structure far more then most folks give them credit for. In my opinion the bigger the cat the more they act like a true preditor then a scrounger.

Structure is key as you work a bait past a likely holding area in hopes that it gets bustes by a cat. Outside areas of a snag are a classic ambush type spot and floats work well to slip the bait by the hazerds. Rip-Rap is another good spot near reconstructed dams on the Red. Field drains feeding into the river, sand bars, you name it, they all hold cats and/or walleye that may bust a bait slipping on by.

As we slip into early fall and the water slowly cools an clears float systems become a very useful tool on rivers.

Hope this helps Chad.

Gitty up Go...piggy!

><sUMo>

And of course...for Minnesota..
ALL MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

(Bookmark these links...add 'em to your favorites...I make NO apologies for the extra crap that gets on there. It's a 'raw' unedited file... my tests and offensive language, etc.)


Chad LaFave
Grand Forks
Grand Forks
cvikes80@gra.midco.net
Wednesday August 21, 2002
07:21:21 PM

So Ed, are those the only places that you would try that type of rig? What about your normal holes, cutbanks, or on the inside of a curve on a shallow muddy flat? Interesting rid, sounds fun.