Otter Tail Country Fishing

The spring of 2010 is a fisherman's dream come true.  Our unusually warm spring, coupled with a thinner-then-normal maximum ice thickness last winter (25"-28" respectively) on most lakes ensured early ice-out in the Ottertail Lakes area.  The ice came off most lake in the area around the 2^nd of April and the water's been warming ever since.  Warm water (main lakes and rivers are in the upper 40's and low 50's; back bays and swampy areas are pushing upper 50's and low 60's—based on mid-day temps) and plenty of nice days to spend on the bank or in a boat has prompted some great early pan fishing--and catching.

What to look for?  Lakes that have definable bays and backwaters that are 6 feet deep in the middle and have a gradual gradation to shore are the best/easiest places to find crappies and sunfish.  And the bays and backwaters that have dark mucky bottoms and covered in dead vegetation and/or timber are the best of the best.  Use the smaller sized jig heads 1/32-1/64 tipped with live bait or Gulp products, or plain hooks or ice fishing tear drops tipped with live bait or Gulp will work well too. I like smaller bobbers that don't make a big slash when they hit the water but are heavy enough so I can cast them out to spooky fish that are boat shy.