By Brad Durick

When it comes to catfishing on the Red River in this late and low water portion of the 2026 season, the only boat ramp that is truly safe and reliable right now is the one in East Grand Forks. Any others in the area will require that you utilize extreme caution when using them.

The pattern I had established for catfish last week in the low water conditions did not hold. This lack of current pretty much has the catfish everywhere and nowhere all at the same time. What this means is there is nothing predictable to hold catfish to a given spot, and no vehicle to take a scent trail to the fish. You basically have to get in a spot and hope the fish find it.

The only thing in the pattern that is sort of holding is that the fish are concentrating in the bigger, deeper holes. The best one I have found has a substantial back eddy on it that must be creating some sort of current. Other areas that sometimes work are shallow flats near structure, as they will have some fish in or near it. These spots remain hit and miss. Like recent weeks past, give the spot a solid 45 minutes and if you catch a few, be willing to sit longer.

Sucker and goldeye have been the best baits for me in these conditions. Which one is better depends on the day. As a continued reminder, bring a back anchor as the lack of current can get boats swinging with very little wind – and a north wind in particular.

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: Sit Long in the Slowdown.  With very little current, spots are requiring extended sit times for catfish on the Red River at this point in the season. DEO Photo by Brad Durick.