Frost not the only thing biting in OTC

Have we had enough cold yet? The biggest question I get in the winter is, “Do cold snaps matter?” My generic response is, “You can’t catch anything if you’re sitting on your couch.”  The other comment I tend to make, is that the fronts and highs and lows do matter, but it’s never a reason to not try. In fact, and especially in the case of this year, if the fish didn’t bite during extreme cold, they’d probably all have starved to death by now. I’ve seen tremendously good catches and fishing during this year’s cold spells. Don’t let the cold get in your head—just go fishing.  Fish don’t feel cold the way we do. They are suspended in a “pool” of cold liquid/water and that’s all.  When we are getting frost bit above water, the fish just continue swimming and eating.

Fishing has been strong around Otter Tail Lakes country, and the lakes have been very active with fishermen. Panfish can be found wandering weedy flats in 8–12 feet of water on most classic Otter Tail County panfish lakes, and on others, they may be suspending over deep holes and pockets in lake basins.  When you find sunfish and perch, put a tip-up out for northern in a near by hole.  Use quick-strike rigs and suckers, or single large hooks and large shiners or suckers.  Walleye have been active through out the season—so far.  Of course, and as usual, locating walleye is the first step to success.  Once you find them, try to figure out if they prefer spoon jigging, dead sticking with shiners, suckers, or fat heads, and then go to work.

Recently,  the walleye bite lacks consistency and they don’t seem to bite on the same lure/presentation for more than a day or two at a time, so be sure and try a bunch of different options. The safest (in my opinion), and most consistent, is a single plain hook under a bobber tipped with a shiner or fathead.  Good Luck fishing Otter Tail Lakes Country this week.

Ross Hagemeister | meisterguideservice.com