What do you want to do on the Red River Of The North?
Start with the activity or place you care about. The detailed guide sections below hold the fishing spots, paddling stretches, access points, official links and practical notes.
Check the river before you head out
See current levels, streamflow, temperature when available, and recent trends across the Red River Of The North.
Fishing the river
The Red is especially well known for channel catfish, while walleye, northern pike and smallmouth bass add variety throughout the mainstem and tributaries.
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Fish you may encounter
Pick a named species for photos, river-life facts and a little music. Broad labels stay general until the exact species is known.
Fishing stretches and places
- Minnesota and North Dakota fishing rules apply on their respective sides and shared waters.
- High water can dramatically change bank access and current speed.
On the water
Minnesota’s state water trail follows a generally slow-moving river, but dams, high water, snags and long distances between services require planning.
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- Review water-trail maps for dams and portages before launching.
- Flood stage can close or submerge normal access points.
Places to reach the river
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Explore the Red River of the North
Track gauges from Fargo toward Grand Forks and the Canadian border on a low-gradient river that flows north across an exceptionally flat valley.
A north-flowing river across an old lake bed
The Red River Valley formed from the landscape left by glacial Lake Agassiz. The river later became an important trade route between the northern plains and Hudson Bay before railroads displaced much of its steamboat traffic.
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Songs for the Red River Of The North
Songs that name this river, tell part of its story or have a real connection to the places along it. Direct Spotify tracks when we can find them.
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We'll add this river to River Radio when we have a direct track link.