Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Recommended Posts

Just curious if anybody is still catching channel cats around Forks?

I've fished them well into Sept. but not October. I'll be up shooting stuff and figured there is no better way to spend an afternoon than channel cattin.

Channels are going nuts in the cities now so I'm thinking they are probably on a good bite up north too. Ya just don't hear much about it though.

Anyone?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's rare to see another boat on the Red north of Forks for a few weeks now. I've been going out regularly and getting some decent fish every time out. I feel like I have the river to myself every time out and I love it. I wouldn't call it a really hot fall bite, but it's acceptable. It is quite different than last fall with more smaller fish mixed in and not all big fish. I've been using nothing but suckers lately and they've worked for me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This weekend Shannon.

I've got a buddy from college coming up to duck hunt around Mentor/Erskine with me. We normally hunt until 10am and then quit. Since you can't hunt after 4pm yet, might as well go fishing, eh?

My plan is to pull the "new" boat up and launch in GF. Was thinking of heading south but am not opposed to going north either. Kitties are everywhere! smile.gif

He doesn't know I'm thinking of fishing yet so plans aren't set in stone. But right now, I would say it fits in the schedule Sat. afternoon to evening.

I've still got some Goldeye in the freezer and Shad are plentiful down here now. No kermits though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What do you mean he doesn't know you plan on fishing, he should expect it! Have you even unhooked the trailer from your truck since you got the boat?

I have a parade I have to drive in this weekend in Middle River for the radio station, grrr.... If I'm able to get away, I'll give you a call Saturday afternoon and see what your doing. Otherwise have fun, and be sure to post how you did.

Yah, the south side would be the better side as far as safe sailing goes and there are just as many fish present. Good luck.

I think duck hunting would be pretty fun, I should try it sometime, but I highly doubt I would ever hit anything! I have a hard time hitting something sitting still...flying over my head, yah right! grin.gif I think I'll just stick to fishing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am off this weekend too..When I was out exploring last week I scanned a large gathering of fish in a certin spot and I am dying to get over there and check it out... I just dont know if I can handle getting the boat dirty again.. I just got it all cleaned up for sale, then we had that river rescue and it got all dirty again, so I cleaned it up once again.. then went skull hunting and really got it a mess.. This time I scrubed it up real good for a couple fellas interested in the Machine. Hate to see it go.. frown.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hoping to get a new rig in the spring. I need to go bigger and put in that Opti. I need more room for the search and rescue part of it and clients. I am not only doing guiding but search and rescue and river tours now too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

'Spose you guys want a report now too! grin.gif

Didn't get on the water until around 3pm on Saturday and headed south. Was greeted right away to floating leaves, branches, small sticks and logs. Fun!

We passed one boat and chatted with them. They had caught 4 cats already with one of them being a 38" on a goldeye head. What a piggie!

We fished 3 different spots which were all similar. Sort of the tail end of the hole where it transitions to a short run on the outside bend. These "areas" seamed to be holding more fish on the graph than anywhere else.

The fish were there but were very picky. Every spot we fished had light biters and taps on every rod but getting one to really take the bait was tough.

We ended up with 3 cats all under 10lbs and missed another 3 or 4 good bites where the rod was completely loaded in the holder but couldn't get the rod out in time before losing the fish. Oh well.

We fished with cut sucker, goldeye, and shad and the sucker sure seamed to be garnering the most interest from the cats.

Oh well, beautiful night on the river and I only cracked 2 logs with the boat. She still floats! LOL! smile.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, you didn't slaughter them, but it was a great day to be out anyways. Plus you got to see how well your boat handles logs! grin.gif Glad to hear you atleast caught a few fish.

I ended up sitting at the hospital with my buddy after he broke his wrist riding a 4-wheeler this weekend, so I wasn't able to go fishing, but I am going fishing next weekend. I was thinking about going to the Rainy River/LOW area to chase some eyes or head to Pembina and really challenge myself late in the season. One thing that would be fun about going to Pembina...I could look for skulls like Rusty's been doing! grin.gif

We'll see...Talk to ya'll later.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.