Drill, Drill, Drill!
Good morning, ice fishermen!
It’s going to be a beautiful next few days on the lakes in Otter Tail County. With our winter and ice fishing well under way, we are blessed in our area to have fantastic lakes and great fishing!
We had some snow late last week which made for more difficult travel on the lakes—basically eliminating car travel and all 2-wheel drive travel. So when you’re coming to Otter Tail County be sure to bring a 4×4. It’s not deep snow, but it is still tough to drive through without a bit of momentum.
We have reached near mid-way for our walleye and northern ice fishing seasons. The walleye have responded by becoming more temperamental, but the northern continue to cruise and eat and eat. If you have a slow day on your chosen walleye spot, stick it out for at least one more before relocating—the fish may be there but may just not be feeding. In fact, it seems that the walleye are biting well about once every three days. Which days? Take your pick. The best and most consistent lure for walleye seems to be a plain hook and minnow, anchored with a split shot on a dead-stick or slip-bobber set up (rattle reel). Small spoons are working too.
The northern are feeding and are targeting perch and panfish. So if you locate perch and panfish, the northern won’t be too far away. They seem to be occupying most depth ranges but it’s always beneficial to be by weeds and weed lines. Set tip ups out with large and mid-sized suckers and shiners and wait for the flags to fly. For panfish—it’s that time.
Make sure there’s enough gas in your auger, because it’s a whole drilling operation. Drill, drill and drill. Check your holes with a flasher unit and a little spoon and wax worm—it shouldn’t take much waiting before you mark fish or catch one. If not, keep moving and keep drilling. If you can’t find them on one lake, go to another. Panfish are feeding right now, so if you’re near them, they should bite.
Good Luck fishing Otter Tail Lakes Country this week. Enjoy the winter warm-up. Who needs palm trees anyway?
Ross Hagemeister
