North Dakota · United States

Red River of the North ND fishing forecast

65 Good of 100

Red River of the North ND is a freshwater fishing spot in North Dakota, United States. Anglers here target Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Walleye, Northern Pike. The most productive months are typically May, June, July, August, September.

Quick answer

Best monthsMay, June, July, August

Top speciesChannel Catfish, Common Carp, Walleye

Score now65/100

Local rulesUnited States — Federal Waters

Today’s verdict

Ranks #298 of 644 spots FishRadar scored worldwide today

Trending up — 4 points above this spot’s 7-day average

Score confidence ±12 points, from 6 live signals

The statistical model disagrees with the physics model here today — treat this score with extra caution.

Helping the score most

Water temperature+15.0Wind+12.0Barometric pressure+4.4

Pressure trend

Pressure stable — fish feeding on their usual rhythm

Next solunar peak

minor 23:13

Current conditions

Sea surface temp	17.3 °C
Wind	9 km/h from S, gusting 22 km/h
Pressure	1015 hPa
Cloud cover	78%
Chlorophyll	0.55 mg/m³
Salinity	0.0 PSU
UV index	4
Wind sea	0.0 m
Ground swell	0.0 m at 0 s

River gauge: RED RIVER OF THE NORTH AT GRAND FORKS, ND (2 km): 914 cfs, steady

The water is running true to season — within a few tenths of the August average of 17.3 °C for this location. The water is mixed to about 30.0 m, with the thermocline below that.

Updated 1 h ago.

What the score means at Red River of the North ND

Red River of the North ND currently scores 65 out of 100 (Good). Water temperature is 17.3 °C. 6 forecast signals are active in this score.

Water temperature +15.0: how close the water is to this species mix’s comfort band
Wind +12.0: surface chop, oxygen and bait drift
Barometric pressure +4.4: falling pressure often triggers feeding
Cloud cover +4.0: light penetration and fish confidence
Pre-storm bite +2.4: the classic feed before heavy weather
Moon phase +2.0: lunar feeding rhythm

What’s biting now

The model expects today: common-carp, channel-catfish, lake-sturgeon, european-carp-entry, atlantic-sturgeon, white-perch, rock-bass, brown-bullhead

[object Object], [object Object] — Protected here — release immediately

Bite windows

Moon

Waxing Gibbous · 82% lit

Solunar day rating

50 / 100

Best months for Red River of the North ND:

Score history at this spot

7 days tracked at this exact location

Best recent day: 2026-07-30, 70/100

1 day(s) at 70+ in the tracked period

About this spot

Water type

River · Freshwater

Rivers are flow-driven. Fish the seams, eddies, and structure where current breaks, where fish hold to conserve energy and ambush bait.

Access & shore

Fishable from shore · estuary

What you can catch

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus
Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio
Walleye

Sander vitreus
Northern Pike

Esox lucius

Best months by species at Red River of the North ND

Channel CatfishIctalurus punctatus
Common CarpCyprinus carpio
WalleyeSander vitreus
Northern PikeEsox lucius

Typical months; local seasons and closures apply.

Local regulations

U.S. federal fisheries authority

United States — Federal Waters

Licensing:

saltwater-recreational — residents Federal Recreational Fishing License may be required in addition to state license when fishing federal (EEZ) waters., non-residents Same as residents. Many states require their own license even in federal waters.

FishRadar regulations are summaries only. Federal and state waters rules overlap — always verify current federal and state agency rules before fishing.