Catfish are being caught on the Red River, with dead sucker being the author’s preferred bait right now. DEO Photo by Brad Durick.

By Brad Durick

A small storm last weekend pushed the catfish more out of the current on the Red River. Sit times have not been affected much but if you are not in the right current you may not catch as many fish. Right now, stay set up for about 10 minutes to get that first fish, but I have still been sticking around for 20 to 25 minutes to make sure I am getting the most out of a spot.

Catfish seem to be lingering in the smaller holes rather than the big expansive ones. The best way to determine these spots is to try to find areas where the current is visibly pushing away from the spot. 

I am starting to downsize sinkers back to four ounces this week and they still stick the baits where I want them. Dead sucker remains my preferred bait. It seems those that are two or three days dead is working the best. Neither frog or goldeye are showing much for results right now.

My August is sold out but I have days available in September. Call or text 701-739-5808 for information or to book a great late-summer trip. 

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