It’s Maintenance Time!

Hello anglers everywhere!

We have a great forecast this week, but unfortunately it’s the perfect forecast for ice melting rather than for fishing. The shorelines of the lakes throughout Otter Tail Lakes Country look ominous. The ice seems to be sinking rather than washing ashore. All that being said, ice fishing is all but over in Otter Tail County.  It’s time to gear up for opening water fishing.

Bank fishing is just around the corner, which I think is a great approach for early-ice-out panfish.  First-ice-out panfish really crowd shorelines in ultra shallow water for warmth and I think it’s easier to approach them from the shoreline (as you can cast beyond them and retrieve your bait back to them). When you cast at shallow fish from the boat, you’re more likely to spook them with splashing bobbers, etc. Spool up your “light action” poles with some fresh Berkley Trilene XL. I like 6 lb test in the spring from shore. It casts well (even into the wind) and if you get caught on some grass or small twigs from shoreline shrubs or small trees, you can pull your tackle out…hopefully.  If you use 2 or 4 lb test lines, which work well for fussy panfish, you’ll never get your tackle back if you get stuck.

It’s our fishing down time everyone!  Keep busy with getting your boats and trolling motors ready. Make sure you have current fishing licenses and current registrations for your boats—it’s maintenance time!  Now is also the perfect time to through the 2017 fishing regulations.  Be sure to check for new rules and regulations and for special regulations that are specific to your favorite lakes.  Also, take some time and learn more about new aquatic invasive species infestations in Otter Tail Lakes Country. (Unfortunately, the county saw more infestations in 2016 so be sure you know where those are to help prevent their spread into non-infested waters.) It only takes a few minutes!

Thank you and have a great week.

Ross Hagemeister
meisterguideservice.com