2018 red river fishing reports- capt. brad durick

[proguide]

Catfishing is officially on fire in the Grand Forks area.  Nearly perfect temperature and flow have combined for great fishing. The fish are actively hunting allowing anglers to fish about any way the wish. Break lines near fast water seem to be holding bigger fish right now. Fresh bait is the key but what that bait actually is doesn't really matter.  I have noticed that goldeye is really good right now in particular.

[proguide]

Catfishing on the Red River went from pretty good to really really good in short order over the past week. River conditions are perfect right now. There are many fish in the seven to fifteen pound range with some bigger showing up. Catfish are feeding heavily in the middle of the river and on the faster current seams.  Anglers will need 4 to 5 ounces of weight to keep the bait in the strike zone.  Don't sit on a spot more than 20 minutes without fish.

 

As far as bait, as long as it is fresh the fish will eat it.  Suckers and goldeyes seem to be working about equal.  The goldeyes are running right now and are fairly easy to catch for good bait.

[proguide]

What a difference a week can make.  The oppressive heat of the past week raised the water temperature from the low 60s to mid 70s shocking the bigger fish. This quick change will probably indicate the beginning of the spawn over the next week or so making for challenging fishing.  

 

Smaller fish are still very active so numbers are good but patience is the key to bigger fish.  Sit times have increased to 30-40 minutes.  Expect lots of picking and tapping before a fish hits.  Try all structures and locations.  Suckers have been difficult to come by so do the best you can.  I have not been able to find one bait that is much better than the other when there is active fish around.