By Brad Durick

Fall is in the air. The cottonwoods are changing colors fast, the young eagles are flying and the Red River is back down to a wonderful level.  With that, most anglers are reporting good catfishing, and I am seeing average numbers but more big fish over 15 pounds.

Of course, we had to deal with the fast-falling water last week but it didn’t seem to make much difference in the bite. Over the weekend with things warming up and stable water the fish moved back to the middle and into the fast water. This is setting up a great run for big fish through the month. Still give each fishing spot an honest 20 minutes but don’t be scared to sit a little longer if you are getting bites.

Two- or three-days dead sucker or frogs remain the clear bait winners for me.  I ran out of the older suckers and only had fresh dead. The bite fell off dramatically. Just a mental note to keep in mind. Other anglers are reporting they have caught fish on goldeye and shrimp this past week.

Conditions still say September will be big fish month. I have dates available. Call or text 701-739-5808 for information or to book.

Brad Durick is a Dakota Edge Outdoors contributing writer and a licensed ND fishing guide specializing in trophy channel catfish on the Red River in and around the Grand Forks area.

Featured Photo: Fall Fun.  The late-season catfish bite on the Red River is firing up as waters and weather have recently settled down. DEO Photo by Brad Durick.