The Great Outdoors in the OTC

by Erik Osberg

Otter Tail County, MN offers something for every outdoor enthusiast. Whether you are into fishing, hunting, hiking, biking, paddling, bird watching or just enjoy being immersed into nature.

I prefer to spend time on the water (or ice), fishing rod in hand. With over 1,000 lakes, and diverse fish species to target, Otter Tail County is my happy place. The lakes here offer anglers an opportunity to catch walleye, pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, blue gills, crappies, lake sturgeon, tullibee and more.

Walleyes
Minnesota’s state fish is arguably the most popular species in these parts. As any angler knows, they can be finicky and hard to catch.
My advice would be to not ignore shallow water, especially early in the season. Over the years, I’ve caught more walleyes in less than 10 feet of water than I have in deeper water. My theory is that when walleyes are actively feeding, they go into the weeds in search of bait fish. You can find them in deeper water, but they might be less prone to bite.

Panfish
I like to call Otter Tail County, MN “Panfish Paradise.” Most of the 1,048 lakes are bass/panfish lakes. There is a chance to catch world-class bluegills and crappies around here. Once again, these fish are usually related to weeds.

Others
Pike and bass can be the most cooperative fish. If you are struggling to catch walleyes don’t be afraid to change gears and start bass fishing. While they may not taste as good as walleyes, they are a ton of fun to catch. If you know how to clean them, Northern Pike can be just as delicious as walleyes.

Hunting
I don’t spend as much time in the woods as I do on the water. However, if you are a hunter, Otter Tail County is a great place to be. In 2019, Game & Fish Magazine ranked Otter Tail County number one in the state in terms of record bucks. With all the water, there is also ample waterfowl hunting opportunities. Upland birds like grouse can be found as well, and there is even a good pheasant population in the southern portion of the county. There is also plenty of public land to enjoy chasing your favorite prey.

If you are an “Outdoorsy Otter” Otter Tail County is the place to be.