Otter Tail Lakes Country water is perfect for swimming and fishing

Good morning angers everywhere. Otter Tail Lakes Country is HOT.  Really! It’s been another hot week here. Lake temps on most lakes range from the 79 degrees to 84 degrees—depending where you’re at and when. It’s perfect swimming water, and great for fishing.

Walleye are feeding well. Be sure to try both deep and shallow water. Walleye on a lot of lakes tend to head towards shallow water during warm water periods in mid summer. To top that off, they also are very willing to feed in the middle of the day. If you like relaxing while you’re walleye fishing, just troll crank baits like #5 Flicker Shads, or Rapala Shad Raps. Just put the rod in a rod holder, sip on a Coke and wait for the rod to bend over and then reel them in. Panfish can be found suspending off of the bottom in deep water, hanging over cabbage weeds at the edge of flats near deep water, or hanging around weedy flats—but the best weeds are about 5–8 feet tall, give or take a little.  Use all lure types and styles for large mouth bass—plastic worms, Texas rigged or Carolina will do. Or cast deep diving crank baits over deep weed points and island tops, or through spinner baits and top water in heavier junky cover or near docks and lily pads near deep water and steep drops.

Wow, you have to get to Lakes Country this week and give the mid summer fishing a try!  And if you get too hot—just jump in lake or go for a boat ride. Good Luck fishing!

By Ross Hagemeister, meisterguideservice.com