Ice Fishing Report 3-18-20
By Ross Hagemeister, meisterguideservice.com
Otter Tail County is still covered in an ambient blanket of snow. It does have a peaceful quality and when the wind isnโt blowing I would have to confess the countryside is tranquil, especially in mid morning when the colorful hues of the spring sun reflect off the snow. The spring snow and sun are bright and reassuring. It gives hope. We are living in an uncertain moment in time. It will pass. For now, go fishingโsince we’re in a cold spell and there’s a little ice-life left. Besides, itโs something to do. If you donโt want to go into a store or shop for bait, be creative. Dig through your box of tackle and baits and put some of the fancy fake stuff to use! Here are a few things to try that resemble โbaitโ or mimic food for spring panfish:
–Try old rubber stuff like Mister Twisters, good old fashioned plastic worms, Berkley Power Bait, Berkley Gulpโusually found in your summer selection. They donโt have to be perfect. You can take a 7 inch plastic worm and slice it into small slivers that might mimic a worm or aquatic bug.
โTry a piece of thread and string. Itโs time to pretend that you are a fish. Fashion an attractive yarn/string style โflyโ off of the end of your ice fishing lure. Youโre trying to mimic something that wiggles and looks bug-like. You can also suspend your โfly” beneath a spoon or flashing lure a few inches.
โPanfish love Jigging Rapalas. Sometimes I tip them with worms and sometimes not. Try the smallest ones you have, but theyโll bite remarkably large RapalasโRippin Raps work too.
These tricks will work, but they wonโt catch all of the fish in a hole.ย The first bitters are typically larger fish that actually act dominant and will race to a bait, regardless ofย flavor or color etc.,ย I call them the 1st biters.ย Youโll likely get a good second biter, and then youโll struggle to temp others to bite.ย Youโll have to change holes and keep repeating the process.ย I often fish without bait.ย Itโs a part of my common searching process.ย Iโm looking for groups of fish large enough and aggressive enough that I donโt need bait to catch them.ย Good luck with late-season ice fishing this year.ย I was on the lake tonight and found ice to be between 20-25 inches.ย It was a low-grade ice.ย It wonโt have a lot of life in it after a few consecutive warm days.ย I recommend foot or ATV travel.ย Be sure and keep your eyes on the access points.ย I imagine theyโll turn rotten earlier this season since the ice quality and thickness just isnโt there.ย Enjoy the late ice in Otter Tail Lakes Countryโit wonโt be around much longer.ย Good Luck, be safe, and stay healthy this spring!ย