By Brad Durick

Not much has changed for spring catfishing on the Red River since my last report – other than the wind has been horrific. I’ve had just one day of not fighting it in the last week, which has made angling challenging. Wednesday was heavenly with the calm conditions as I had to relearn how to stand up straight in the boat and not fight against the gusts!

Active catfish have still been holding in the faster current seam areas in a little deeper water. Hits have come fairly quickly when fishing in a new spot but seem to be more little fish. The big fish are taking all of 20 minutes or so to get on the bait. From others, it sounds like cut sucker is the bait of choice and that is all I have used and it is proving successful. I have not heard any reports as to if goldeye is producing much. I have heard that it isn’t working from some anglers, however.

Water temperatures have finally surpassed the mid-50s and with a couple more warm days they should edge up on 60 degrees, putting the bigger fish into action.

I am currently taking bookings beginning May 20^th and on through the summer. Fishing is about to get really good on the Red River in the next week or so.

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

Featured Photo: One with the Wind.  Gusty conditions challenged catfish anglers on the Red River this past week, as winds kept positioning a priority. DEO Photo by Brad Durick.