Water and temps warming up in OTC
Hello February anglers everywhere. Wow, what a month! It’s been wicked cold in Otter Tail Lakes Country! I normally give all sorts of inspirational mentions regarding fishing in every weather condition and how the fish don’t care—just go fishing. But it almost seems as though the fish are just as tired of our weather pattern as we are. What am I saying? Fishing as been challenging! There are always a few exceptions (because there are so many lakes and so many fish in the county!), but it seems like we’ve been stuck in a mid-February rut. I’ve been chasing fish for the past couple of weeks, and it seems like that’s the only way to keep steady action. It’s been an exhausting past couple of weeks—and chilly. It’s time to move on!
The weather is finally beginning to loosen up a bit as we enter another February week and weekend. There are still some cold days in the forecast, but at least there are warmish days blended in. What does that mean for fishing? It’s got to mean something. The warmth and extra sun and wind direction changes are worth a shot at shaking the fish out of their mid-winter blues and barfs. I’m excited and I anticipate positive and productive changes in the very near future.
Our days continue to grow longer which also means changes are near. All species will soon make noticeable location shifts.Will it happen this week? It could. The only way to know is to get on the lake. The first major cue that things are changing is when you get to fishing areas that have been producing and there is nothing there—a complete absence of fish. How to respond? Pick a new depth and type of water.
Try different lures and baits. As of now, my approach is conservative for all species and I try not to get comfortable with one pattern. I like to use small and mid-sized lures and baits and I anticipate a fair bite at best and I always keep thinking of the next possible spot—and then move when fishing slows. Sounds like work doesn’t it? It sure is. But that’s what we have to do this time of year.
Things are getting ready to loosen up in Otter Tail Lakes Country, so be ready because good fishing is just around the bend. Good luck fishing this week.
By Ross Hagemiester, meisterguideserivice.com
