Hook, Line, and Sinker: Fishing the Red River in Grand Forks & East Grand Forks

When I moved to the area in 2009, I knew nothing about fishing and had very little experience on open water. My first experience on the Red River was when a friend and I spent a lazy day soaking up the sun while touring the winding river in a canoe. It was on that fateful day that I met my husband along the riverbank, cementing the river as a special place for me and my family. It is because of this connection with the river that I want to share with you all how great fishing in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks can be along with some ideas of how you can enjoy the Red River, as well.

What makes fishing in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks unlike fishing anywhere else in the world? The confluence of the Red River and Red Lake River bring together thriving aquatic species, lush foliage, and wide-open skies under which basking on the water in a boat or throwing a line into the water from the shore can be enjoyed.

This vibrant river is home to a thriving aquatic ecosystem, with over 70 species of fish species including Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Sauger, and Lake Sturgeon. Other species include Muskellunge, Carp, Sheephead, Stoncats, and madtoms (small cousins to the channel catfish), along with non-sport fish like goldeyes, suckers, and many others. The biodiversity and abundance of fish earned the Red River a top ranking by Abu Garcia, ranking 4^th out of the Top 100 Fisheries in the U.S.  The river may appear dark due to the clay soils that can obscure this vibrant ecosystem, so the best way to learn about the various underwater wildlife is to throw a line and see what you can catch!

When I go fishing in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks with my husband, we tend to focus on catching Channel Catfish, although walleye, goldeye, and bass also find their way into our nets, too. My sons love to join us and explore the riverbank, cruise along in the boat, or cast a line from the shore near the dam or off the docks. Sometimes we bring friends along, and they get to enjoy the spoils of a good day fishing, as well. For instance, Andrea Charliebois joined my husband for an eventful day of fishing and caught this massive 56-inch Lake Sturgeon.

In all honesty, I’m still a novice angler, and usually spend a lot of time in the boat reading a book. But, I can net a fish pretty well, and have even earned some cash in a fishing tournament.

There are plenty of online resources available to learn about techniques for successful fishing, understanding state regulations, and how to best tackle the sport of fishing (tackle – see what I did there?). A helpful resource I found interesting while exploring this topic over the years include the Fishing on the Red River of the North from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. It is the perfect guide to fishing in the Red River and includes information about fisheries management, river stewardship, understanding the dangers of the dams, seeing maps of the area including local public access maps, accessing local tourism contacts, and more. Key tips are included for using artificial lures and live bait and suggestions for weighing and measuring your fish, too. All levels of anglers can use this guide to learn about fishing in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks.

Here are three easy ways to get into the river including by boat, exploring via personal watercraft, or fishing from along the riverbank.

Enjoy a Boat Ride

With public boat access on the Grand Forks side at both Lincoln Park and the Whopper John Little Ramp (also known locally as the North Landing) and at LaFave Park in East Grand Forks, putting in your boat is a breeze!

Rent a Paddle Boat, Kayak, or Paddle board

Don’t have a boat, or want to try something new? Another great way to enjoy the Red River is to hop into a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard and cruise around the river. The Boathouse on the Red is a great place to rent the needed gear for 90 minutes or a whole day for affordable rates. All rentals include life vests and paddles, and the convenient location right on the river means that you’ll be paddling away in no time. For UND students, the University of North Dakota Outpost offers equipment rentals including canoes and kayaks, camping equipment, along with winter gear, bikes and inline skates that can be used to explore the Greenway along the riverbank.

Cast Along the Riverbank

You don’t need to actually be on the river to enjoy fishing in Grand Forks or East Grand Forks. The riverbank, docks, and rocks along the riverside are all great places to throw in a line and see what you can catch. Public shore access can be found at Lincoln Park (Belmont Road and Lincoln Drive), Central Park (4^th Ave and 30^th St), Riverside Park (Park Ave and Lewis Ave), and the Whopper John Little Ramp (Red Dot Place and N 7^th St – North Forks Landing; restrooms available here too), along with LaFave Park in East Grand Forks (restrooms and camping facilities located here too).

And, depending on the water level, you may be able to step out onto the rocks near the dam like my sons like to do. Before going out on the river, it’s important to check the river conditions using the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) website or download the Valley News Live app and click on the River Levels tab.

The Greater Grand Forks Community makes getting into fishing easy. There are several retailers that offer everything you need to reel in the big fish, along with community activities aimed at introducing people to the sport of fishing and keep them reeled into the sport.

Get the Gear

Fishing in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks is made easier by the availability of fishing gear available locally. You can find all the gear you need, as well as purchasing your fishing license. To learn more about fishing licenses and regulations, check out here for Minnesota and here for North Dakota fishing license regulations. Keep in mind MN and ND state regulations on live bait, too, it is illegal to transport live bait across state lines. North Dakota retailers include Home of Economy, Scheels, Sierra, and other various retail stores. For fishing gear in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, check out Cabela’s.

Life Vest Loaner Program

Don’t forget the life vests! While life vests are encouraged for anyone in a watercraft, they are legally required for youth under the age of 10 in both North Dakota and Minnesota. It’s important to understand the laws and regulations regarding life vests, so check out these websites for North Dakota and Minnesota resources.

SafeKids Grand Forks offers a life vest loaner program through which anyone can borrow youth and adult size life vests for up to two weeks. Simply pick them up at the Grand Forks YMCA – you don’t even have to be a member to utilize this great program. To purchase your own life vests – and other fishing supplies — in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks, local retailers include Home of Economy, Scheels, Cabela’s, Sierra, Walmart, and Target.

Family Fishing Event at Ryan Lake

A great way to learn to fish is to attend community events such as the Hooked on Fishing event at Ryan Lake in Grand Forks, which is sponsored by North Dakota Game and Fish Department and Scheels. It is free for children ages 6 to 13; adults who wish to fish with their children will need to have a North Dakota Fishing License. If you don’t have a fishing rod, rods are available to borrow (just bring your picture ID). This lake is stocked with rainbow trout and is a scenic oasis surrounded by the Kings Walk golf course. It’s in a prime location to bring your family for a park playdate, picnic lunch, and fishing excursion, all within walking distance of South Middle School.

Red River Valley Catfish Club

The Red River Valley Catfish Club meets weekly on Wednesday evenings May through early August, with a sign-up night typically hosted at the end of April. Two-person teams compete for weekly prizes, with optional side competitions for Biggest Fish and River King status. The RRV Catfish Club also hosts an open league night that is open to non-members. This event is perfect for testing out the waters before registering your team for the year.

This is a great place to bring youth along, as well, as a child can accompany the two-person team to learn the ropes or can fish as a team member. My oldest son, Avery, fishes alongside my husband, and seeing the pride on my son’s face when they won one of the weekly contests was priceless. His fish was so big he needed help holding it for the photo! Avery was proudly telling everyone “I’m like a real professional fisherman now!”

The RRV Catfish Club is a welcoming bunch to newcomers (like Avery) and to veteran anglers alike. The last weigh-in of the night is at 9pm and you can find them at the LaFave Landing or the North Landing (check their website for details). If you’re looking for a great place to come meet local anglers, see some trophy fish, or learn about the local fishing scene, members of the RRV Catfish Club are a great wealth of information, so stop by and introduce yourself.

Tournaments

Fishing tournaments are a great way to showcase your fishing skills and compete against other anglers. Several local tournaments occur annually, with cash prizes and endless bragging rights to the top scoring teams. The Cats Incredible tournament, which typically occurs in late July each year, boasts family-friendly events for spectators such as bounce-houses, food vendors, and Dock Dogs competition, plus kids can help release the catfish back to the river using a fish slide. There is also a scavenger hunt in the days leading up to the tournament, with clues that lead to a winning medallion worth a year of free Blizzards from Dairy Queen East Grand Forks. Our son was the lucky winner of the scavenger hunt a few years ago and we reveled in the tasty winnings all year. The Cats Incredible is the longest running annual tournament and hosts up to 125 teams.

The Scheels Boundary Battle takes place in late June and caps at 50 teams. This tournament highlights the boundary waters between North Dakota and Minnesota, utilizing the North Dakota landing one day and the Minnesota side the other day. This event has a Kids Tournament for youth under age 16 with free registration (must pre-register).

For those who are interested in a day trip to showcase your fishing skills, there are several options for fishing tournaments within a short jaunt from the Greater Grand Forks area. The Catfish Capital Challenge, held in Drayton, ND (48 miles north of Grand Forks on I-29), is typically held in early August and has a guaranteed $10,000 prize for first place. My husband and I have participated in this tournament a few times over the years and have even taken home some prize money a couple of times.

Other tournaments that are close by include the Marley’s Concrete Cats Tournament, the Pembina Catfish Tournament, and the Oslo Rod and Gun Club Catfish Tournament. Both the North Dakota Game and Fish Department and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources list permitted fishing tournaments on their websites.

Guided Tours

For guided tours of the Red River, there are two local options including  NoDak Charters, run by Zac Bernier. Additionally, Brad Durick Outdoors LLC provides tours mid-May through September (water temp and river level dependent). Brad Durick has 17 years of guiding under his belt. You’ll also see him at the Red River Catfish Club each week and several fishing tournaments that he coordinates.

Brad was excited to share with me that fishing in our river brings people from across the country and he estimates that the river hosts people from more than 15 states each year. If you’re local and haven’t been out on the water yet, this is your sign to take advantage of the local waterways. If you’re just visiting, you’re sure to have a good time and take home some good stories.

As a final note about the beauty of the Red River, we all can work together to help prevent the spread of invasive species. According to guidance from the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species website and the North Dakota invasive Species website, the best way to prevent aquatic hitchhikers is to Clean your boat, trailer, fishing gear, and other equipment to ensure no aquatic hitchhikers catch a ride. Drain all water from the watercraft and any equipment before leaving the water or nearby shore. Dispose of unwanted bait.