Walleye/Sauger Fall Run in Red River

bigcatpike

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Have heard many people talk about the walleye run. I am wondering when it usually happens and what lures/baits to use. I usually fish a few miles north of Drayton Dam. Would I be able to catch some there? I have caught a few while fishing for catfish, but never on purpose.
 
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Captainbrad

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I am by no means an expert on RR eyes. The water is so clear now that the walleyes are already going nuts shallow. I caught three in 10 minutes on frogs last week while catfishing. As the water temp cools (if the water stays this clear) it is going to be gangbusters here in the next few weeks and hold till freeze up.
 

Vollmer

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I am by no means an expert on RR eyes. The water is so clear now that the walleyes are already going nuts shallow. I caught three in 10 minutes on frogs last week while catfishing. As the water temp cools (if the water stays this clear) it is going to be gangbusters here in the next few weeks and hold till freeze up.

That's crazy, I never knew. Might need to head that way next weekend.
 

bigcatpike

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I know the Hastings Landing Recreation Area in Drayton has a cleaning station complete with a grinder. I think Drayton Dam might have a more primitive setup, but I'm not entirely sure.
 


gatorbaiter

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The red definetly has good fall fishing but my luck has depended a lot on weather and water levels at the time. Fall rains mess up all my usual spots, an inch or two of rain in fargo or grand forks area will jump the river very quickly. Fishing buddy has some good threads on this from past years and thats where i learned a lot. The fall movement depends a lot on water temp, if i remember right 53 degrees is the special number. Some years there is more 12 to 15 inch sauger that you care to catch, some years not many. The walleye can be huge but is not a numbers game. Usually only a few here and there. I just shore fish, some guys in boats catch some very nice walleye. What i do is watch water levels and and water temps, mid september through october but the best time depends on if its an early or late fall. My best luck for bigger walleye is casting jigs with creek chubs, a nice big profile. For sauger i just cast smaller jigs tipped with minnows. Its fun fishing but you wont fill any coolers. For me the fun is the chance of a trophy walleye or pike and the fact that you can catch all sorts of different fish. Not a good place if your a walleye snob. I'm not an expert, this is just what i've been doing for the last few years. If anybody has better info speak up.

Drayton has a nice outdoor cleaning station but it closes fairly early, first freeze or so.
 

lunkerslayer

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According to some, there is nothing but garbage fish in the red river right Wags:::
According to the locals, jigging just on the outside of the current at the Drayton dam can produce some dandy eyes.
 
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bigcatpike

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Any size to em that you caught on frogs Captainbrad?
 

Enslow

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According to some, there is nothing but garbage fish in the red river right Wags:::
According to the locals, jigging just on the outside of the current at the Drayton dam can produce some dandy eyes.

So have you caught any fish on the red?
 


Kickemup

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So have you caught any fish on the red?

I would doubt it.
I haven't fished the red in a bunch of years but I remember good numbers of eyes with some big ones mixed in. Ice fishing on the red was always my favorite way to fish it.
 

lunkerslayer

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So have you caught any fish on the red?

Yes, nothing big though always good eater fish that 16 to 18 inch range. I don't like the fact that you can use four ice rods but only keep three walleye . I like the red especially in early ice, that's where I met ahab.
 

stinkbait

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Big rains up here last night. River coming up fast just hope it doesn't screw things up too long
 

CatDaddy

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G&F still believes a record walleye could be lurking in the Red. I also believe that's true. Late September through November I target confluences and dams - they stage for winter in prep for spring spawn. I've had many eves where limits of nice fish are ready and willing, some where I strike out. Frogs in the fall are the ticket - they move to the river's edge and walleyes line up to find them. Biggest I've personally gotten is 24", multiple times, but waiting for ol' piggy to hit. I'll be down there this fall looking. Baits are lindy style with fathead or frog, jig and twister, or big cranks presented slow. Look close to shore, ridiculously close to shore, and you'll find em! Search FBO for Backwater Eddy threads. The man was taken much to early - he was a genius with fall/spring walleye on the river and was always willing to share! 12 lbers are possible...........
 

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