Colder Temps & Bigger Bait!

The lakes are heading into late fall status! Soon ice fishing will be the topic of choice.  For now, however, there’s still fish to be caught in Otter Tail Lakes Country.

The water temps have fallen into the mid and low 50’s and will continue to drop as our days shorten. In fact, if you head out on the lake, be sure to bring a good pair of shades/sunglasses, because the sunlight is double trouble reflecting off of the lake—it’s terribly bright. The sun doesn’t get high enough over head to warm the water, and that’s the main reason why we’re on a crash course for winter.  As the water temps drop and the air cools and the days shorten anticipate good fishing at times but also expect challenging fishing too. That’s just the way it goes as the water temps drop to the lower 50’s.

Walleye are still a good bet and when you find them and catch them, this time of the year, you can expect nice walleye. Use minnows and always be sure to pack some crawlers—walleye will bite on night crawlers till ice-up. For northern and muskie, use large minnows. Don’t be shy, fall-time fish eat big minnows so the larger the species the larger the minnows—super size them. Spinner baits and deep diving crank baits will still catch largemouth bass and northern.

Search the deep water holes for panfish—check the basins for suspending crappie and sunfish—they are getting ready for winter. It’s not summer anymore so don’t expect panfish to be hanging out by shallow weeds and docks and stumps.

Good luck fishing this week in Otter Tail Lakes Country, and if you get the chance and have the gear, give duck hunting a try in the area—it’s been good!

Ross Hagemeister | meisterguideservice.com