Exploring the Untapped Catfish Waters of Minnesota’s Upper Mississippi
A New Frontier for Northern Catfish Anglers
For decades, anglers in central Minnesota’s Brainerd-to-Grand Rapids stretch of the Upper Mississippi focused almost exclusively on walleyes, bass, and the fabled mine-pit trout. Catfish? Practically unheard of. That changed roughly ten years ago.
Local bait-shop owner Jesse recalls that “up until about ten years ago, we didn’t see any. Five or six years ago, we started catching a few—then the numbers exploded.” Today, nearly 90 miles of previously overlooked river hold a thriving channel-catfish population, offering shore-bound and boat anglers alike an exciting new option.
Rigging Up: Simple Gear, Serious Fun
Because most of these fish average a few pounds—perfect “cooler cats”—heavy tackle is unnecessary. Al and Jim rely on St. Croix Mojo Cat medium-power rods, matched with low-profile bait-casting reels spooled with abrasion-resistant mono. Terminal tackle is as straightforward as it gets: a sliding sinker, a barrel swivel, and a 5/0 circle hook baited with fresh cut-bait.
Smooth Moves adjustable seat suspensions take the sting out of long runs between spots, while lightweight Gill technical apparel keeps the crew comfortable during warm early-fall days on the water.
Reading the River: Where the Cats Live
The team concentrates on classic river structure—downed cottonwoods and logjams hugging three- to eight-foot depth breaks. Casts are threaded between the larger limbs, letting the bait settle on the bottom so its scent drifts back beneath the cover. “Those big main beams serve as underwater highways,” Jim explains. “The cats slide out, home in on the scent trail, and the fight is on.” 
Fast Action—and Plenty of Snacks
Catfishing combines bursts of chaos with long stretches of conversation, river watching, and, in this case, an impressive stockpile of Chips Ahoy and sandwiches. The rods don’t stay idle for long: double-headers are common, and net duty is a revolving door of chunky channel cats. Al quickly dubs the stretch their “new favorite cat water” as keeper-sized fish pile up in the Yeti.
Selective Harvest and Proper Care
Brother Danny requested a fish fry, so the crew keeps only the sweet-spot eaters—cats in the two- to four-pound class. Each fish goes straight onto ice; cooling them immediately is crucial for firm, clean-tasting fillets, especially when late-summer water temps still hover in the 70s. Larger specimens are quickly released, ensuring the burgeoning population remains healthy.
An Emerging Multi-Species Playground
From muskies to lake trout through the ice, the Edge crew lives for variety—so discovering a robust channel-cat fishery practically in their backyard is a revelation. What began as accidental catches while jigging walleyes has blossomed into a dedicated mission: mapping and unlocking an estimated 90 miles of untapped catfish water on one of the North Country’s most storied rivers.
Tackle Tips and Tactics: Dialing in the Gear for River Cats
Success in catfishing—especially on rivers like the Upper Mississippi—often comes down to dialing in the right rod, line, and rigging setup. On this outing, two primary gear options were used: an 8-foot baitcasting rod spooled with 25-pound test Sufix Siege Neon Tangerine for high-visibility strike detection, and a spinning setup featuring 15-pound test of the same bright line and a Daiwa Procyon reel.
Both baitcasting and spinning outfits are effective, and your choice often comes down to personal preference. The spinning gear shines in tight quarters where fast retrieval and accurate casting are necessary. Importantly, both setups are designed to offer precise strike detection while giving just enough slack—maintaining a slight bow in the line—to allow tentative catfish to commit without feeling immediate resistance.
Classic Rigs and Smart Baiting Strategies
The terminal tackle was equally straightforward and effective: a 2-ounce sinker, VMC ball bearing swivel, short 6-inch leader, and a #3 octopus-style VMC hook. A small bead protects the knot from repeated sinker impacts. In low current conditions, short leaders keep the bait in the strike zone without much drift.
Bait choice is critical. The team primarily used fresh-cut sucker—frequently replaced to ensure scent potency. Other common and productive baits include goldeye, frogs, and even nightcrawlers, depending on seasonal availability and forage activity. As the team noted, “Don’t be too conservative with the bait. Change that bait a lot.” Fresh bait equals more bites.
Reading the River: Structure, Depth & Movement
Catfish in these northern rivers hold in wood-heavy areas, especially log jams with 6 to 10 feet of surrounding water. Interestingly, deeper holes were far less productive than shallow flats with well-placed timber—especially during high water. Using tools like AutoChart Live, the team built accurate, real-time contour maps, an invaluable resource in uncharted river stretches.
When fishing new spots, a simple rule applies: Ten minutes without a bite? Move. Catfish are opportunistic feeders and, with fresh bait, usually strike quickly if present. Efficiently covering water allows anglers to stay on active fish.
Northern Catfishing: A Hidden Gem
While many associate catfishing with southern waters, the northern United States hosts incredible channel and flathead cat fisheries. Minnesota’s Red River, running from the Dakotas into Manitoba’s Lake Winnipeg, is famed for its massive channel cats. But rivers across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa also offer excellent multi-species potential—including surprise flathead action.
The team’s boat, outfitted with Lund’s versatile SportTrak system, allowed quick adjustments to rod holder placement for trolling, drifting, or anchoring. This adaptability proves especially useful when transitioning from walleye or crappie tactics to catfish-specific setups.
A Reminder to Try Something Different
Catfishing, the team reminded viewers, is a refreshing change of pace—whether you’re a seasoned walleye angler or muskie chaser. It’s laid-back, engaging, and wildly fun. “Doing different things for different kinds of fish… it’s going to make you a better fisherman in the end,” they emphasized.
And it’s true. Fishing for alternative species keeps things fresh, hones diverse techniques, and opens doors to fisheries you might never have considered.
