Walleye season is finally here

May 16, 2022

Fishing Report 5-18-2022

The open water walleye season is officially here! Anglers had some great fishing on opening weekend, and the good news is it should be getting better in the next week or so.

Walleyes are in a post-spawn pattern, leading anglers to find mainly smaller males, which are great fish to keep for a meal. Pitching a jig and a minnow or soft plastic on shallow sand flats worked best. Look in water 12 ft or less. As water temps warm up, fish will slide deeper, so if you’re not getting bit shallow, check some deeper water.

The big females will start eating again soon as the water warms and they recover from the spawn. Remember to release those big breeders so we can continue to enjoy the great fishing we have now! Walleyes under 20” taste better than the bigger ones anyway.

Pulling crankbaits also worked for some anglers over the weekend. Crankbaits are a great option all season, as you can cover lots of water and figure out where fish are and what they want fairly quickly.

The panfish bite has been nothing short of stellar as well. Find the warmest water in the lake, and you’ll find the crappies and bluegills. Fish are being found in 5 ft or less, and have been eating small tube jigs, or very small jigs and plastics. These can be fished with or without a bobber. It’s all personal preference.

Don’t forget the bass catch-and-release season is now open as well, so we have an abundance of fishing opportunities to take advantage of. Time for you to hop in the boat and head to lakes country!

For more information on fishing visit https://ottertaillakescountry.com/interactive-map/?fwp_place_categories=fishing-hunting.