Great Ice Fishing All Over Otter Tail Lakes Country!
We are beginning to breath a sigh of relief around Otter Tail County. The super-cold spell we had over the weekend gave us some much-needed ice!
While the ice has come along, I still want to send out a word of caution—ice is still ice and it moves and shifts and breaks and heaves. If you’re traveling across the lake in your ATV and you see wet areas on the ice, you should investigate the scene. In these cases, my assumption is that the ice probably cracked and split and water has come up on top of the ice and snow. Look at cracks and heaves before you cross them to make sure they are passable—especially if you’re pulling a fish house.
For fishing, it’s a fun time to be in Otter Tail Lakes Country. No matter the lake and no matter the species you’re seeking, there is good fishing to be had! Walleye are biting at many different depths and in different locations. Look for them on weed lines, rock piles and on drop offs near weedy flats. Walleye and crappie are light-senstitive feeders so fishing is best at low light for them right now. As the winter gets longer and the ice gets thicker both walleye and crappie will begin to bite during mid-day.
Look for sunfish on weedy flats and they are biting well during mid-day right now, especially on lakes that have stained water. Where you find sunfish and perch, you’ll find northern pike (and visa-versa). Use shiners and suckers for northern on weed lines and wherever you find schools of sunfish.
Have a great week fishing in Otter Tail Lakes Country!
Ross Hagemeister
