That’s a question I used to ask myself a lot when we lived in Moorhead for a couple years. I had seen a few portable ice houses out on the Red River in Fargo and asked the folks at the local bait & tackle shop about it. They said that: “Anyone fishing the Red River in January was most likely fishing for Goldeyes, although the occasional Walleye or Northern Pike will also be caught.” “Catfish don’t really have an appetite in the winter.”
But, Could it be done? Are the catfish even around? What do they eat?
For these questions I called Brad Durick out of Grand Forks. He’s a professional fishing guide, highly sought after catfishing educator, author of two catfishing books, and the host of the Catfish Best Source Podcast.
Brad is truly an expert on channel catfish in the Red River, so when I asked him about ice fishing for catfish, Brad went on to explain how it’s mostly done in the southern parts of the state, for flathead and channel catfish, not not really for channel catfish on the Red River. Fun Fact: The Red River doesn’t have Flathead Catfish.
Brad: “It can be done, but it's a lot harder.”
“River water temps influence catfish feeding behavior. The cold winter water, colder than 40 degrees, slows feeding to a near halt, a two pound catfish only needs to eat ½ ounce (one fat-head minnow) a week to sustain itself”
“But, Catfish have to keep feeding, so it’s not impossible, but it’s tougher. You could be right on top of catfish all week and they could only hit on one day” “People still do it, but it's very hit and miss”
I asked Brad, “If you had to ice fish for Catfish, what kind of setup would you use?”
Brad: “Pretty similar to the fall fishing for walleyes, jigs and smaller presentation in general” Fun Fact: He often catches catfish hanging out with the walleyes
“The bite and fight isn’t the same as the summer though, I’d use a sensitive rod, -heavy enough of course for handling a catfish, light enough to feel a bite”
“Something close to medium-light rod”
Brad also very graciously reminded me that the Red River of the North isn’t the easiest to ice fish. And, he’s definitely right.
River levels are always changing, this can either leave gaps between the ice and the surface of the river OR it can completely flood the top of the ice. And, to add additional dangers, currents and snow are constantly eating at the ice. One step can have 6” the next can have 1”.
In summary,
If you are really have a case of cabin fever and want to venture out on the Red River to go chase catfish, it could be done. But, use your brain, check the ice depth, and have all the additional safety measures you can in place.
-Remember no ice is ever 100% safe. Especially river ice.
The deep holes and breaks in the Red River that contained catfish in the summer could still be home to catfish and other species. (Goldeyes can be an absolute riot too!)
Huge thanks to Capt. Brad Durick for answering my questions!
Be sure to check out his work!
-Capt. Brad’s books: Cracking The Channel Catfish Code and Channel Catfishing Made Easy
-Capt. Brad’s show: Catfish Best Source
-Or book a day fishing with the legend himself: Here!
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