1st time to Ottertail

I have hunted the area for many many years, but have done all my fishing on Mille Lacs. Heading up for my first fishing trip there on September 9th.

Couple questions. We are primarily targeting walleyes, what is the best way to fish them that time of year, shallow cranks, bobber, lindy rig? Is there a deep crank bite? Do you fish them on the sand flats, rock piles, or edges of structure? I appreciate any help. Going in blind on this lake.

You’re a lucky dog T-bone!

Can’t help you out much but someone will be along that can I’m a betting.

I have fished OT every year in august on our annual family trip……. i cant make it this year though any way i have always slottered the eyes from dusk until you get sick of catching them on cranks in 9 to 4 FOW long line jointed preferably!! good luck

Like Drew said, trolling cranks in the evening is very common and typically puts fish in the boat. Mid 20″ fish are fairly common as well. The full moon period coming up should be pretty good if you’re gonna be up here then. Don’t be afraid to pull cranks during the day either, especially if you’ve got some wind. Some of the best results last week pulling cranks were mid-morning. A lot of the fish being caught right now are 18-21″.

I’d also give the mid-lake humps a try (tops of 25′ or more) using crawlers, leeches or chubs. A crawler harness on a bouncer on the weed edges is another option (weedline is typically 18′). One of these three options should keep the rod bending.

Good luck, stop by if ya get a chance…the first is always on me!

PS – big leeches are hard to find up here so if you wanna try them you might wanna check somewhere b4 you head up.

Thanks gentlemen, I appreciate the help!!!

Looking forward to a quickie report and a couple a photos…T-Bone!

Absolutely, now I just have to wait a month til go time

heading to OT this afternoon and if good tommorrow too, will post the action tonight. day fishing can be hot and it can be stone cold. during the day i like crawlers but have also schooled my buddies with a frog this time of year on a bottom bouncer. this can be hotter than redtails, sometimes i’ll catch 14 to one and watch my buddies faces turn red as they do all the netting.

got one 26 3/4″ eye on OT with a crawler. didn’t get much time though, had to deal with sewer backup at my rental. roto rooter to the rescue. i should have known not to schedule some
vacation time, thats pretty much how my summer went. theres always tommorow.