Don’t Winterize Your Boats Just Yet!
The lakes are still open – so get out there while you still can!
I have a feeling that we’ll be winter-fishing much earlier than last season, which means we will be putting our boats away soon! Walleye are still biting in Otter Tail Lakes Country. Although – they are less concentrated than they were a month ago. Some walleye have headed to deep water, others are on the weed lines, and still others are shallow and can be a good quarry for anglers that like to troll crank baits 
(especially in the evenings and dark-light hours).
Fishing shallow walleye has actually come full circle. When the ice comes off in the spring, walleye are right on shore for spawning purposes and for feeding. In the fall, they return to the shallows (in lower numbers, however) and they can be right under docks, bridges (inlets and outlets), and simply along rip rapped shorelines—all fishable areas with waders or from banks. If you’re still fishing walleye in Otter Tail County from a boat, then be sure and bring minnows (preferably red tails or sucker minnows). Fish them on simple Lindy Rigged, live-bait-style presentations. I recommend fishing weed line zones for larger walleye. Deeper walleye are typically small, but the fish hanging near the shallows and weeds can be nice and large-class fish.
If you’re still looking for crappie and sunfish, be sure and check out deep holes in the lake’s basin. There’s a good chance you’ll find them suspended off the bottom with your electronics. Simple jig and minnow combos or jig and twister-tail type Gulp baits will work. Northern are active now and are fun bonus fish to catch when you’re walleye fishing with minnows.
Have a good week fishing Otter Tail Lakes Country. Dress warm! Bring a thermos of coffee and some hand-heaters—it’s that time of year. Good luck!
Ross Hagemeister
