Ice conditions have improved after what seemed to be a slow freezing process the past couple weeks. There was open water on some of our large area lakes as of a week ago, and I was on 3″ of ice!
I took some much needed time off every day life to spend a few days on the ice chasing walleyes on our large area lakes, like Otter Tail, and icing some gills on some smaller lakes.
Thursday’s morning bite was quite entertaining with some tasty walleyes from 14″-16″ on Otter Tail. I put some miles on the snowmobile and Otter combo in search of some aggressive fish, and found most of the activity in the 20′ depth range near structure in the center of the lake. Most of my trusty spots didn’t seem to produce, so I was on the move quite a bit. Otter Tail is like that, keep moving until you find a bite because there are always active fish on this massive body of water! I don’t like to spend more than five minutes in each hole if nothing appears on the flasher.
I also managed to squeeze in some night walleye fishing on some deep reefs in the 25′ range, and was quite surprised at the size of the fish, and how aggressive they were beyond the “magical hour” well past dark. These fish were absolutely slamming a 1/4-3/8 oz glow lures. I just wish I would have landed a few that got away…
And, not to mention some crappie and ‘gill action on some of our smaller lakes in the area. I hooked up with my good friend, Chuck AKA “Gissert”, for breaking in the new ice. This time, first ice snuck up quickly on the small lakes and we were pleasantly surprised there was enough ice for a maiden voyage his new wheelshack.
The crappies and sunfish are quite abundant and the bite is going quite well. The fish are relating to shallow weedy waters in the mornings and evenings, and they were hitting anything from a small Custom Jigs and Spins Ratso/Shrimpo to an aggressive Slender Spoons!
Ice conditions range from 7-12″ respectfully. Otter Tail Lake still has reports of as little as 5″ in some areas in the center of the lake, south of Amor Point and south of Riviera access. Caution should still be used! Good luck!
Nice report Chuck….You certainly do have your choice of lakes in your area. From a good size Ottertail lake to smaller ponds. A true fishing paradise. Look forward to hear more about fishing from your area.
Nice report
Good Report Chuck. Man I miss the lakes down in that area!
Love it Chuck! Great to see you and Giss getting out and enjoying some first ice fishing. Thanks for the warning on Ottertail! As you mentioned, there’s some shifty ice out there still.
URL was around 10″ most of where we checked, but there was a few spots that were way less and were downright spooky.
Thanks again for the info!
Joel
Thanks for the update Chuck! I’m over in Wadena, we should hook up sometime. Do you ever fish Rush? Or Big Pine? I might be going out Monday the 28th in the evening.
Thanks Again,
Erik Osberg
218-251-8306
Great read, thanks for the report Chuck
Nice Report Chuck!! You’ve got a lot of nice water over there. I have some friends in that area, and used to fish Ottertail, Rush….Quite often. There is a small Pelican lake off of Ottertail we used to do well on also.
Thats exactly what keeps me going on every trip
nice fish chuck and chuck!!
Thanks for the report, Chuck. I’m glad to see you here on IDO and I’m looking forward to your reports from God’s Country there in Ottertail County!
Erik,
I sometimes find myself on Rush and it’s been years on Big Pine. I’ll have to wish you good luck this evening. I’ll be working around the house recovering from a long holiday absence.
Wade,
Let me know if you ever return to the area sometime, we still need to get into a boat for some fishin! 
It’s good to be here.
Those look tasty! Nice report Chuck.