Catfish are settling into their summer patterns and the bite is picking up, despite seriously low water levels on the Northern Red River.

By Brad Durick

It’s safe to say the spawn is done and the catfish are feeding.

There are many fish being caught all up and down the Red River. It appears the fish are moving to holes and more summer areas to take up residence. Fish the top, middle and outer edges of holes. Wood may or may not be good with the lack of current but don’t overlook it. The bait preference is changing some with the fish preferring dead bait. This means catch or kill your bait and pack it in ice (keeping it away from water) and use it when it’s a day or even two days old.

Water levels are now reaching the lowest I have ever seen. Flow rates in Grand Forks are under 1,200 cfs and Drayton isn’t far behind. Some ramps are now too short to launch bigger boats, so be very careful. Caution should be exercised when boating (especially below dams) to ensure the safety you and your equipment.

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