Saturday, May 3rd Red River Report
Water temp 46-47 degrees

First of all let me say, what a gorgeous day to be on the water! It could have been a little less windy, but in all, it was pretty darn nice. I fished all day in either my t-shirt or a sweatshirt, depending on the location and the wind hitting the area. Plus I got a fairly decent burn/tan???

I took my time getting on the water, because the early morning temps were quite chilly at about 35 degrees. Picked up some Crawlers and a few Sucker Minnows and was on the water by about Noon. The water was pretty full of "stuff" floating around. Not anything to worry about too much, but I had to stay on the "look-out" for larger branches and what not, so I took my time and just enjoyed the boat ride up river heading south. It was a little tougher than usual too, because I had my dog along...good company being mans best friend and all, but what a pain in the but when trying to navigate through branches and stuff floating in the river. The dog always has to stand on the bow of the boat right in front of console, making seeing anything almost impossible. The river flow was moderate to fast with just a tad higher water than "normal" -SUMMER TIME- levels.

Decided to set up at the end of a run on the outside edge of the river, just before it switched direction in a bend. The area had lots of bottom variations and averaged 15ft with a large hole 30ft+ just down river. After a few minutes the action started.

I didn't get any big fish, but caught lots of "eater size" fish, ranging from wee little babies to around 20" inches. I had cut bait (sucker minnow) out all day, but didn't have much luck with it. All my fish came on crawlers, witch is what I was expecting anyways for this time of year. I had two really good "pulls" on the cut bait rod all day...one when I was on the phone of course, so I was late getting to it, and the other was me being to inpatient.

I tried a lot different areas through out the day, some producing alright and others with very little action. I really didn't get any kind of pattern down, so I can't help you there, but if you keep moving around you'll find some fish willing to bite.

Not the fastest day I have ever had catching fish, but a decent day none-the-less. Ended up keeping three fish for a meal and let the rest go.

It was great to be back on the Red, I'm gonna be back again, and again, and again, and again...you get the picture. The season is here, time get out and catch some fish. I'll see you on the water.

Run off from the Wild Rice and other drains to the South of Fargo has turned the Red into chocolate milk, very dirty and high. Cats will still feed, look to the tribs for active feeders.

The walleye action is grinding to a halt on the Red due to visibility. Casting options are a long shot, black or yellow, or glow floating jigs set short (4-6") with larger baits may work best. Larger 4-6" suckers may work best of all, they have more action and profile for walleyes to locate in the murky waters.

The Sheyenne River is in good shape, low flow, very clear, very fishable for sight feeders. Cats are in there too, hungry as ever. The Sheyenne is likely the best game going right now for walleyes in the Fargo area.

Good fish'n,

Ed

Red River Fishing Report

The Red was/is way up and very muddy, poor walleye conditions. It is now on the fall and clearing up slowly, should be improved by the weekend. Expect the shoreline to be muddy from fresh silt deposited, wear rubber boots.

The Sheyenne River and some of the other area tributaries are cleaner and a better shot at sight feeders such as walleye. Fatheads or crawlers on floating jigs should produce.

Catfishing is really taking off. I had a blast float fishing cats last evening. I used 3" sucker cuts set below a 8" Lindy pole float slip rigged with a 3/8 oz bullet weight and a 5 O/T circle hook on a 2' leader.

They were shallow in the cleaner tribs, like 3-5' near flooded willows and grass. I C&R 16 cats in about an hour ranging from 6 lbs to 23 lbs.

Bobber down...Set the hook, and watch the water boil and splash...Weeeeeeeeeeee!

Lots of fun!!

sounds like you were having some fun out there Ed

great report! Greatly appreciated

Hoo Ya...Lots of fun...Eddy loves his Kork'n!

Hey Ed... guess where I'll be "Kork'n" tomorrow morning ??? I was just gonna' take the bottom gear, but the conditions look just about perfect... you've persuaded me .

Rub it in Topcat..go ahead...rub it in.

Ohhh, Eddddyyyy ...







I know, that's just mean... I apologize . So when are you getting here, it was stupid out there (and not just from the cold )... we were getting wet from the cats blasting bait around the boat.

drool im itchen for cats bad now

Man Oh Man...nice!

Have you put any time into Greenbacks?

TC wasn't kidding, it's MAYHEM TIME!!!








and Ed.....he wasn't kidding about the corkin' conditions either, wink, wink!

I like the little guy's block heater. Good job guys.

There are some serious chubsters out and about... most of the girls we caught were seriously obese, even ...



Hey, what chances do ya' think there'd be of one of us Canucks being this year's "King o' the Katz", hmmmm... ???

What a Porky Sumo Kitty!

They have been wintering well, that's for sure.

Any 40" fish yet?