Tips For The Transition
January 12, 2017
Hey everybody. Ice fishing is entering mid-winter. Some fish species are slowing and becoming more temperamental and others are transitioning into strong patterns. Here’s a bullet list of cues from Otter Tail Lake’s Country:
- The ice is in good shape, but don’t assume all of the lakes in Otter Tail Lakes Country have the same ice depth. Do some research before you head onto lakes that you have not entered yet.
- Walleye fishing has slowed a bit. There is still plenty of good fishing to be had—but you’ll have to do more work to catch them.
- For walleye, consider using smaller lures and fatheads, suckers and shiners under a float have been solid this season.
- Sunfish and crappie continue to feed. Crappie are easier now in low-light, while sunfish are mid-day feeders on lakes that have reasonable water clarity. If the lakes are stained, panfish will feed all day, but if the lake is very clear, both sun fish and crappie wait until low-light to feed.
- Northern are very active right now. Just find a healthy stand of cabbage weed on any lake, as well as weedy areas next to deep water and there should be some pike there. Just use quick strike rigs and sucker minnows on tip-ups , or hang a big minnow on a “set line” in your fish house when you’re fishing for panfish and perch.
- Otter Tail Lakes Country got snow a few days ago, which has made travel a little more difficult. I recommend 4×4 vehicles or you might get stuck in a drift (which are hard to see right now).
Good Luck fishing Otter Tail Lakes Country this week.
Ross Hagemeister
meisterguidesrvice.com
