Minnesota Fishing Report
We’re in the home stretch in Otter Tail County. Just a few more days until the 2016 MN walleye opener! But, from now until Saturday it’s still panfishing. With the big increase in temps around the state last week, our lakes, rivers and streams really warmed up fast. Otter Tail Lakes Country hit nearly 90 degrees two days in a row. In fact, some shallow bays on small lakes actually got too warm for crappie and large sunfish! When that happens, it’s a good idea to leave the bay and search the shorelines near the over-warmed bays. One idea that keeps me going when I’m fishing is that I know the fish have to be somewhere—just keep looking—and most of the time, you don’t have to look too far. A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that when the waters warm, there is room for error. That you’ll be able to catch crappie and sunfish in deeper water out from the immediate shoreline. That time has arrived. Therefore, you can use a few different presentations with or with out bobbers, lures and weights that are a bit heavier (and can cast further), and the speed and approach of your presentation can be a little bit faster. Now, don’t get carried away! These are still baby steps, so throwing on a BIG jig won’t work—it’ll be too much and too fast. I’m talking about little increments. Go from 1/64 oz jigs to 1/32 oz jigs. Try jigs with more hair. They are a bit bulkier and the fish might like that, and even respond aggressively to it. The fish care VERY much about how fast or slow your jig falls when you’re working it back to the boat or dock. You will also notice an up-swing in activity throughout the daytime. The fish might like a 1/64th oz jig in the morning retrieved slowly, or even still under a bobber, and then by late afternoon as the water has warmed 5 or 6 or 7 degrees, the fish may respond well to a faster presentation, (no bobbers needed)— a heavier jig and modest retrieve. When ever the fish allow you to fish faster, take them up on it. The more water you can cover, the more fish and strikes you will ultimately get! Good luck panfishing Otter Tail Lakes Country this week, and good luck fishing walleye this weekend. Keep an eye out for this report next week and I’ll have a walleye fishing report ready.
By Ross Hagemeister, Meister Guide Service.