Things to Do & See:
Recreation:
Fishing
The Red River Valley of the North is internationally known for its trophy-sized channel catfish! "Twenty-pounders are common from East Grand Forks to the Canadian border" says Steve Hoffman of In-Fisherman magazine in The Catfish Connection 2000.
Visitors fly in from as far away as Europe to fish along the banks of the Red River of the North. The river and its tributaries possess a high-quality fishery in which research crews have documented more than 50 species, including channel catfish, northern pike, saugers, walleyes, small mouth bass, lake sturgeon and carp. Proof of this quality fishery can be witnessed every August when white Mayflies rise from the surface in spectacular hatches that look like a summer snowstorm. Such a phenomenon, biologists say it wouldn't happen without high quality water.
Red River catfish grow slowly, having only 2 1/2 months each year to do most of their growing. A 24-inch, seven-pound catfish is roughly 12 years old. A 20-pounder may be close to 20 years old. The biggest catfish reportedly caught in the Red River weighed in at 33 pounds!
Annual fishing highlights include the always popular Cats Incredible! Catfish Tournament in which anglers from across the country converge on Greater Grand Forks for the East Grand Forks based competition. Described by In-Fisherman magazine as "the best catfish tournament we've visited." Cats Incredible! pays cash prizes to the top 35 places, with $3,000 going to first place, based on total weight caught by the team over a two-day period. For more information and details on entry fees, call the Chamber of Commerce at (701) 772-7271.
| Hot Spots Anglers flock to several other nearby waters, including Turtle River State Park. Located 22 miles west of Grand Forks on U.S. Highway 2, this park has gained popularity as a result of regular stocking of rainbow trout by the State Game and Fish Department. This section of Turtle River offers the state's only natural stream trout fishery. | River Access Anglers can access the Red from locations on both sides of the riverbank. LaFave Park in East Grand Forks offers a public boat launching site and a large gravel parking lot, plus a handicap accessible fishing dock. The park also has public bank-fishing sites on the Red River and Red Lake River, although anglers are advised to use caution when walking along the broken concrete rip-rap that lines the shore. Public access to the Red Lake River is in Folson Park (Red Lake River Boat Ramp). On the Grand Forks side, there is the Whopper John Little Landing to the north and Lincoln Park Landing to the south. Some popular bank fishing areas are located downstream of Riverside Dam (east of State Mill Road) on Red Dot Place and along the river in Lincoln Drive Park. |
Recreation ActivitiesExperience the Red River of the North from a different perspective. The Red River has a glorious history of steamboats traveling from north to south and back carrying cargo and people. Today the Red River is known mostly for flooding and fishing, but it still has the natural beauty of old just waiting to be enjoyed once again. Captain Brad Durick, USCG Licensed Captain, ND Licensed & Insured & ND Safer Boater Certified, will be your tour guide for any of four river tour routes: Red River North begins at Whopper John Little Boat Landing and extends north of Grand Forks/East Grand Forks. It will open a world of natural trees, animals and birds. The Red River South takes you away from the hustle and bustle of town and into the quiet tranquility of the Red River. Red River Downtown gives you the opportunity to see the cities of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks from a different perspective. The route runs through the downtown area and along both Central and Lincoln Parks. Red Lake River tour begins in East Grand Forks and extends upstream into Minnesota. It offers a more laid back feel as the Red Lake River is smaller and slower than the Red River of the North. Please see our Deals & Discounts page for more details such as contact information and price. |
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