Red River advice

[littlebigman]

I plan on doing some fishing on the Red,this Friday morning. Any advice as where to go? Whats hot and whats not? Sugar Island,Lockport or "Goldeye Creek"? What about water depth and presentation? I've been out twice this year and been skunked both times. I'm anxious to catch some Eyes and not go home empty-handed again.Please help!

[Jiffy]

 Well if you want to catch Eyes I don't know what is doing better Sugar or Goldeye Creek .But if you want some action go to LockPort for sme Saugers and Goldeye good luck.....yellowtail... ..

[Bo]

As a relative beginner to ice fishing and a total newbie to fishing for Walleye on the Red, I am also looking for a little guidance.
I would like to take a shot at the Red River walleye but I am lacking confidence.  My son and I could wake up Saturday morning and drive somewhere and try our luck, but we don't want to end up in the wrong spot with the wrong equipment, with no clear spot to start drilling, etc.

We have a hand auger, and no shelter, so we were hoping we could just drive somewhere where we could easily park the (regular front-wheel drive) car and easily walk out to an area where people have been fishing (outside of shelters).  If we get there early we can maybe re-drill some of the previous day's holes and have some luck with jigging rods, 6# line and baited jigs (similar to our successful lockport fishing).

I am thinking End of Main (including "Goldeye Creek") might be a good idea, or just south of East Selkirk where there is that road down to the east side of the river.

Does anybody have some advice?  It would be great to finally catch a walleye rather than always going back to Lockport for sauger (not that there's anthing wrong with that).

[grumpymoe]

End of Main would be a good choice......and a good spot to get on and off the ice without worrying about getting stuck....you dont have to venture to far....a few spots in the vicinity of some of the rental shacks out there should pretty much get you onto some eyes....and the Netley creek mouth area is usually a given for some northerns......good luck and tightlines....Grump

[Bo]

Thanks a lot!  I have fished at Netley Creek where it meets the river in the summer.
Is it reasonable to just park the car in the EOM lot and walk or do people normally drive a little ways onto the ice?
This sounds like a good plan.  If it looks like we're going to get skunked we can always just hit Lockport on the way home!

[grumpymoe]

Thanks a lot!  I have fished at Netley Creek where it meets the river in the summer.
Is it reasonable to just park the car in the EOM lot and walk or do people normally drive a little ways onto the ice?
This sounds like a good plan.  If it looks like we're going to get skunked we can always just hit Lockport on the way home!

...they'll be on the ice.....have fun....Grump

[blue igloo]

Attention: Bo & son and Littlebigman
I'll be out at EOM Fri and Sat AM.
The Blue Igloo has an open door policy for IS members that I meet while on the ice.
You're welcome to join me there......when I'm at the Blue Igloo.
PM me for more details.
I always park on the road and walk to my shanty.......200 yards of good exercise
Blue Igloo 

[Bo]

Thanks Blue Igloo!
We will probably drop in and say hello Sat am.  The only thing that could possibly stop us is the lure of the Lockport sauger action, since we have been assigned the duty of bringing home our limit for supper.  But we are also very excited about hooking into a walleye, so we will probably be at EOM early in the morning!

[big-brother]

Iyou plan on driving on down the launch  watch out coming back up. You will have to really giver if is soft and mushy like today  to get back up. seen a lot of cars get hung up there and cant always depend on a kindly soul to winch you up right away

[icebraker]

Well look's like this is going to be my first trip ever on the red river. I have never fished on the red river summer or winter. Jumbo Master are planning to drive out and possibly hook up with Blue Igloo to get some pointers on how to fish for walleye on the red river. The only walleye I ever caught ice fishing was 2 years ago on Lake Manitoba. We are planning on being there for the early bite providing we are not getting lost on the way there since none of use ever fished the red river like I said. If we do make it out we will be gald to talk and possibly fish with some of you that are planning to be out there tomorrow.

Cheers

[blue igloo]

Welcome back to the forum Icebraker. Since you got me hooked on Burbot, I'm hoping I can return the favour with some Greenbacks
Bought a replacement rod & reel and some anchor rope today  
I'll be there for sure unless the roads are like a skating rink.......fingers are crossed
Bo, I'll see you out there on Sat morning.
Blue Igloo 

[Thriller]

There is something to be said for being in the right place at the right time...I wouldn't worry too much about gear...all you really need are jigs heavy enough to get down near the bottom and bait.  There's plenty of other stuff you can try (chubby darters, jigging Rapalas, jigging spoons, etc.), but the jig and minnow is the old standby.  If you have relatively light line, just be sure your drag is set well enough and don't horse in the heavy ones.

Good luck.  I haven't had a chance to get out on the Red yet this year...thinking of taking the family out Monday to Lockport for the sauger action.

[icebraker]

Great to be back Blue Igloo now let's just get as much icefishing in as possible  .

Thank you for the advice Thriller, greatly appreciate it.

Let's hope that the weather holds off and gives us a chance to fish tomorrow.

Tight lines to all of you who are going out tomorrow.

[Bo]

Thanks for all of the advice, and good luck to all fellow Red River walleye fishing rookies!  Hope to meet up with you on the ice!
One more question... how early in the morning is too early?  The sun officially comes up around 8:25.  When do the walleye start biting?  If you start fishing at 7:15 or 7:30 or something, are you wasting your time?
 

[grumpymoe]

Thanks for all of the advice, and good luck to all fellow Red River walleye fishing rookies!  Hope to meet up with you on the ice!
One more question... how early in the morning is too early?  The sun officially comes up around 8:25.  When do the walleye start biting?  If you start fishing at 7:15 or 7:30 or something, are you wasting your time?
 

...you never know....early morning might produce some burbot....but just before sunrise can be very productive.....good biting periods vary, but usually to around 10:30 ish and tapering off until late afternoon....in between can be awfully dead...and on occassion will produce some brutes.....Grump

[HOS]

Well if you want to catch Eyes I don't know what is doing better Sugar or Goldeye Creek .But if you want some action go to LockPort for sme Saugers and Goldeye good luck.....yellowtail... ..

yellowtail? Now I'm confused...

[blue igloo]

Thanks for all of the advice, and good luck to all fellow Red River walleye fishing rookies!  Hope to meet up with you on the ice!
One more question... how early in the morning is too early?  The sun officially comes up around 8:25.  When do the walleye start biting?  If you start fishing at 7:15 or 7:30 or something, are you wasting your time?
 

This year it seems the earlier the better. Today I was fishing by 7:45AM and the bite was already on!
I try to be there for first light so I can at least see what I'm doing
Blue Igloo