Even with the drop in water levels on the Red River, anglers are still connecting with fast channel cat action using sucker and goldeye for bait. DEO Photo by Brad Durick.

By Brad Durick

Since last week, the Red River in Grand Forks has fallen over five feet. After just a few days off the water for the Independence Day holiday, it is like a totally different world out there as far as how things look. Looks are one thing, catfishing is another. The catfish bite has stayed very good even with the fast-falling water and now that things are leveling off again, things should actually get better than they already are.

Right now, the catfish are beginning to move from the shelf close to the shoreline over the first drop off toward the channel. They seem to be hanging out on the slower side of the current but that could change at any time as the levels stabilize further, pushing them into the faster current. Baits of choice are pretty much anything. Sucker has produced good results but it seems the really big fish are liking goldeye. Personally, I have not seen a ton of difference between the two.

The ramps in Fargo-Moorhead are open and the river is in great shape. The ramps in Drayton still need the water to fall a little more to dry out the mud. Shore anglers are venturing into the mud and reporting good results.

This weekend is the Scheels Catfish Classic-Moorhead. Entry is $120 and there is still have room for more teams. To sign up, simply show up at 7am Saturday to MB Johnson Park in Moorhead.

Other events coming up are the Pembina Catfish Tournament, Cats Incredible in East Grand Forks and Catfish Capital Challenge in Drayton.

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