Fishing Report Otter tail Lakes Country

By Ross Hagemeister, meisterguideservice.com

Walleye: Walleye are biting across the county. Shiner minnows and jigs will work—especially in shallow zones and over weeds. It’s also the time of year when you’ll want to bring crawlers and leeches along.

Crappie: The warm water has forced an early spawn or a shift in crappie spawning locations all together. **Please note:  While spawning crappies are easy to find and catch on many lakes, remember to release females and save only enough fish to have a meal. The lakes need breeders to insure good fishing in the coming years. 

Bluegill/Sunfish: Bluegill are setting up in pre spawn locations on large lakes and have begun spawning on select lakes. Like crappie, spawning sun fish are vulnerable and eager to strike baits and lures to protect their nests. Keep enough for a meal and release the large colorful bull-sunfish. They are very important to the sunfish population of the lake and they keep the size structure of that population intact. 

Northern Pike:  “Have minnow will travel.” You can find northern on weedy flats and drop-off zones.  With all of the activity in the shallows and weeds, “pike” zero in on minnow fishes but will eat the spawning adult fish as well. Therefore, they react to any minnow-like presentations. Jigs and minnows are always a good bet, but if you like to troll and move, you can troll spinners tipped with a minnow or troll plugs. 

Good Luck on the lakes this week!