Panfish Paradise in Otter Tail Lakes Country
Fishing in the Otter Tail Lakes Country area has been great as of late. Panfish Paradise has definitely been living up to it’s name as the big crappies and bluegills have definitely been cooperative. While basin areas are producing crappies the bigger “slabs” have been located near remaining cabbage edges. I’ve been starting out drilling zig zag patterns near remaining green weeds early in the am to avoid drilling and spooking fish in shallow water while fishing.
Tungsten jigs like the Clam Drop Kick have been a top producer as these allow you to punch through weeds while fishing the extreme inside edges of green weeds. My favorite colors being orange and red as of late. Soft plastics along with wax worms and euro larva have all been producing but it’s best to have a couple options as it can change by the hour. Remember to fish higher in the water column while fishing weeds and weed edges as it gives your jig more visibility.
We’ve been finding some big bluegills but the bite has been best early and late in the day for the true giants. Don’t give up on an area as a big fish spot until fishing either the early morning or late afternoon as the bigger fish really seem to move in and take over an area during these prime times. The walleye bite is remaining good in the area but it’s time to move off those first ice break lines and out to the main lake structure. Humps, points and reefs are all producing fish and good area ice conditions are allowing us to get to those spots. Pay attentions for pressure ridges as traveling on area lakes as these fluctuating temps have active heaves and cracks. Tight lines.
Garett Svir, Slab Seeker Fishing Guide Service