MN River Catfishing?????

[Leff]

Hey everyone!

Lookng for any possible ideas on catfishing the MN down here in the Redwood Falls area. I'm done ice fishing, and I have nothing to do in between my trips north for Steelhead.

Got any helpful advice for a rookie catfish hunter?

Can a guy even get into them this time of year on this stretch of river?

Thanks for anything you can dish out!

[onthejob2]

There is alot of good info. in this forum (catfish). Look back and search for anything good, its all here. I'm sure others will post with some help, but in the meantime start researching this forum.

[Wiskers]

There are some real nice kitties in this stretch of river. Once the water starts to warm up a bit they will be out in force. The channels should be feeding pretty soon also. Pretty much just look for structure and water breaks and start there.

Happy hunting..........

[DTro]

Hey Leff, welcome.

Like Wiskers said its still early. In fact, very early. It's pretty rare for a Flathead to be caught in until the water temp is approaching 60 degrees. It happens, but not often.

I would concentrate on sharp bends in the river and creeks mouths early on.

[Leff]

Thanks everyone! I guess I have a few more specific questions now.

What is the typical set up for fishing them?

I will start out shore fishing them, then probably paddle around w/ my canoe to learn the river better, then eventually maybe take my boat out there.

So at this point, what is the typical set up for shore fishing?

I also could care less about species at this point too. I just want to catch SOMETHING!

I have a 9 ft. med-heavy spin-rod I used out west for steelhead as well as the N. Shore. I would assume a heavy weight above a swivle to keep it down, and a big hook?

Does one drift the bait w/ the current, or do you want it tight to the bottom?

As for bait, do you use worms, minnows, chicken liver, all of the above?

Are the bridges across the rivers good places to begin? I've seen a few spots that look "fishy" so I'll probably start at these spots.

Thanks again, ya'll!

[Wiskers]

Well, first off, My set up includes, a flat no roll sinker, size depends on the curent. Most time I use 3 oz. then snap swivil, then some mono, less poundage than your main braid. Mono Snell is about 1-3 feet long. Then a hook. It dose not have to be a giant hook either. Just big enough to hold your bait, unless your hunting flatheads, then a bigger hook is needed.

As for bait. Start with minnows and work your way up in size as you find fish. I also sugest keeping your line thight. Dont cast out into the river, but cast down river so your weight will hold with out rolling into a snag.

Another good test rig is with your walleye rod, put on a Foam walker with a lindy rig tipped with a minnow and spinner. this will for the most part catch most fish when your are testing an area.

Good luck fishing. It's all about the fun.

[Leff]

Thanks Wiskers, I'll give that all a try one of these days soon.

However, after reading your report on the other thread about your day today, it looks like I'll need to search out better waters then we have here.

I actually was out and about this afternoon cruising around the river and saw a boat out there, and wondered if it was you. Then I drove by the access and saw a truck all stickered up with your ads and FM logos so I then knew it was indeed you. I was hoping to hear a better report then that, but what'chya gonna do!

I wonder where a guy should head to from here.......?

[hanson]

Its still early in the year. Once those water temps creep up to 60 degrees, it'll be game on!

[crazyice]

 Originally Posted By: hanson

Its still early in the year. Once those water temps creep up to 60 degrees, it'll be game on!

But some of us just can't wait that long man!

[Wiskers]

Wait is a four letter work in my book.. LOL... there has to be fish in there, it is just going to take time on the water to find them and that is what I am going to do. This river is nothing like what I am used to fishing so I will have to start all over again. It took my ten good years to get real good at the Red Lake River and Red River so I guess one spring of not so good fishing is not all bad. LOL I just hate the wait.. LOL..

for the most part, the fish have to be staging in the creek mouths, I just could not find them yet...

[DARK30]

Looks like we'll get some rain...that will really help. I gotta do a little trout fishing first tho....release a few trout and keep a few suckers

[new_kid]

I went out fishing for a while tonight and all i caught was what i believe was a mud puppy from what i have been told i would post a pic if i knew how

[Flaco651]

Look like this?

[new_kid]

yes it did but it was bigger like 13" long. I have fished this same streach of river all my life and never caught one so i found it kind of interesting. I do believe that i have caught about every species of fish in the rver around here now.

[sparcebag]

 Originally Posted By: Flaco651

Look like this?

I also caught one just like that one bout 3 yrs ago,It's not a mudpuppy its a salamander of some sort,I looked it up where I dont recall,But it said their common,I fished the Mn.,Miss,St.croix,snake.kettle the list goes on but that was the first i ever saw I have a photo also but its film or I'd post it,mine was bout 14-15 inches.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Mudpuppies get big. We got several from 16"-18" last year.

[goblueM]

Nope, that is a mudpuppy. Cool critters, they're nice in aquariums, eat all the dead minnows and stuff, clean the bottom pretty well

[aanderud]

 Originally Posted By: goblueM

Nope, that is a mudpuppy.

 Originally Posted By: sparcebag

I also caught one just like that one bout 3 yrs ago,It's not a mudpuppy its a salamander of some sort,I looked it up where I dont recall,But it said their common,

A mudpuppy is a family of aquatic salamanders, so basically everyone here is talking about the same thing.

Wikipedia definition for mudpuppy

[walleyeslayer18]

i have a quick question...when you go to a random spot on the river from shore that you havent been to, do you like just cast it out as far as you can or would it be better to not cast it is far?!

[DTro]

 Originally Posted By: walleyeslayer18

i have a quick question...when you go to a random spot on the river from shore that you havent been to, do you like just cast it out as far as you can or would it be better to not cast it is far?!

Each spot is unique. Reading the river comes from spending a lot of time on it. I'd like to think that I can read the river pretty good, but there is always a spot that surprises me, or totally the opposite than I thought.

Instead of casting out as far as you can blindly. Try to picture the river as it would be with low water. Read the shoreline, is it rocky? Is there a current seam? Any snags?

Use this structure to your advantage and pretend you were a fish.....where would you be? Then put your bait there.

[Wiskers]

Become the fish Good answer. Could not have said it better. For sure do not cast out as far as you can straight out... Always remember to cast with the current somewhat. About a 45 degree or so. Other wise you will roll down with the current and snag up pretty bad.

[TRKNUTZ]

Dont't know what everybody is waiting for the river is open and its game on. The bites are lite but u have to know your setup to catch them.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Sure, you can catch them now, but the action doesn't get hot until the water warms up more.