Fishing Report: A Distance Game
By Ross Hagemeister, meisterguideservice.com
Seven weeks ago, I guessed that the ice would be off Otter Tail County lakes in late March. After all, the lakes stood idle all winter with narrowly enough ice to fish on much less drive on. As March drew closer, Otter Tail County lakes healed leaving the ice sheet about 22-25 inches thick—unfortunately, it happened a little too late as there was little ice fishing season left to salvage. Not only did the ice come too late this season, it has survived past my ice-out guess and as mid-April approaches we are still looking at ice on most lakes. While the duck lakes and sloughs are open, and are inviting to migrating waterfowl, there is not a lot of opportunity for spring angling. Most fishable lakes that are larger than 200-300 acres, are just not ready yet. It’s unfortunate, because folks need something to do! Now!
The weekend’s forecast promises a warm-up, so there is hope that small bays on lakes could open up. If you do find a nook in Otter Tail County to fish this week, know that silence is key.
Panfish species like crappie and sunfish will seek the warmest water when the ice comes off. They will snuggle back into shallow water bays and can be right next to the bank and near the surface where you can see them. If you spook them, you’ll notice groups of small ripples appear. They’ll also situate themselves in bulrush stands, dark fallen tree debris, and gooey silted dark bottom areas complete with piles of lily pad root systems and lily stalks. Wether you choose to fish from the bank or boat, it’s very easy to scare the fish away! Their urge to sit in shallow warm water puts them in a state of hyper-alert! Terrified of over-head predation, panfish bolt at the first sense of motion and shadow. It’s the perfect time to get out your best and smoothest casting gear because this small chunk of the open water season is a distance game. When you approach shallow back waters looking for ice-out panfish, it’s advantageous to cast as far out as possible to get to the fish that you haven’t upset. If you’re bank fishing, it’s best to cast beyond the fish and slowly drag your bobber-fashioned presentation over them. Do so in small increments—5 or 6 feet of retrieve at a time. After your bait sits still for a short minute without a bite, move it again. Use the same strategy if you’re fishing from a boat. Cast nearly to shore, and slowly work the bait out. If the area is absent of shoreline fish, set your bobber at 3-4 feet and cast out into the bay’s middle region. They are in the bay somewhere!
Yes, I mentioned bobber fishing. It’s the best method for early panfishing. The only trouble I have with floats is they can spook the fish when the splash down—that’s why it’s important to overcast your fishing spot. Some bobbers are more stealth than others, so you’ll have to sample a few different ones to see which work best for you. I like a nice, mid-sized, weighted Thill brand bobber (long shaped). They seem to land a little less loudly than round style bobbers. The overall size of the float and weighted keel are the key to getting as much distance as possible. Also, it’s imperative to have a full spool of good casting line on your reel. A limp 4 lb mono like Trilene XL is always a nice line, as are several small diameter multi carrier braided lines like Ultra 8 Fireline, and Spiderwire. For lures and baits keep them small and light—think ice fishing, basically. And and even though I’m a huge promoter/adviser on using Berkley Gulp (fry and minnows) for crappie and sun fish, in the case of ice- out panfish, be sure and have some live bait like wax worms and crappie minnows with you. After the ice has been off the lakes for a week or two, you can relax the ultra-careful measures and resume open water fishing as normal—more assertively and aggressively. You’ll be able to cast and retrieve at a more rapid rate, use slightly larger lures, and get away with being a tad less sneaky and quiet on your physical approach into your fishing area.
Patience is truly a virtue right now—in all directions. Soon, warm spring and summer will come to Otter Tail County. The smell of damp lake air, sight of budding trees and the sounds of Red Wings in the back marshes will help heal us. Be sure and get out and take in our spring!
