A fish passage structure along the Red River of the North
The Red River of the North has a long, rich history. The "Red" was once a primary trade and commerce route. Today, its 395 miles form the border between Minnesota and North Dakota and offer excellent recreational potential.
The river and its tributaries form a complex ecosystem. The main stem of the river provides a permanent home for adult fish and a refuge for all species during winter and dry periods. A network of tributaries provides critical habitats for spawning and rearing young fish.
Fishing opportunities are abundant in the Red River and its tributaries. Below are resources to learn about the fishery and plan your next trip, whether you’re fishing on shore, boat or paddling.
Habitat help
Learn how a $6.4 million project will reconnect a recovering lake sturgeon population to 20 miles of critical spawning habitat and upstream areas restored by tribes to enhance the sturgeon recovery effort underway in the Red River basin.
Minnesota's Red River offers
Great fishing
For Red River anglers, channel catfish are the most popular species. These fish are known for their size and abundance.
Excellent opportunities also exist for walleye, sauger, northern pike and smallmouth bass. There's also a lake sturgeon catch-and-release season.
Monitoring and research projects inform our fish management. Here’s where you can find fishing tips and the latest information on monitoring and fisheries science.
Abundant access
Minnesota and North Dakota offer 34 public access points along the Red River between Breckenridge and Pembina, N.D.
Shore angling opportunities are numerous on the Red and its tributaries, some of which are well-developed and offer excellent family-oriented facilities.
For a unique experience, three of Minnesota’s state water trails provide paddling access to lesser-traveled reaches of the Red, Otter Tail and Red Lake rivers.
River conditions
River conditions change fish behavior. River flows and temperature are key information for successful fishing.
Minnesota DNR and partner agencies maintain an excellent network of river and stream monitoring stations in the Red River and its tributaries.
We’ve collected useful river condition resources and links in one place for your convenience. Current conditions are just a click away.
Contact
Nicholas Kludt
Red River fisheries specialist
218-846-8298
[email protected]