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Hey there,

I was offered a job in Wadena. Looking at a map it looks like the closest water is in Otter Tail. Fishing is basically my life so was wondering if the 10-12 mile drive is worth it? I live in Park Rapids now, so it's a tough call.

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WOW I've been looking at property in the area I thought the same! Leaf lakes are close,by browerville I fished Coal lake last Sept. it was great eyes & sunnies,some Bass we wernt fishin for.the Leaf lakes could keep a person fishin all open water there really good!! Goin up to the Leaf lakes in July to visit and see how they are then! I'm convinced to move there!Where I live on a lake it keeps gettin more populated Skiers,Jetskis,power boaters,Houses not cabins what I see up there it is yet cabins without all the traffic.

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I'd say from Wadena to OTL is closer to 20 miles...to the closest access.

Obviously Wadena does not host the population of lakes like Park Rapids, so it's a tough call if fishing and being close to the lakes is that important.

You could live a bit closer to the lakes and commute to work. wink.gif

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I live in wadena and work there. Its 22 miles to the pelican bay access on ottertail, with east leaf lake the closest at about 15. The oak point access on rush is about the same. Big and LIttle pine are in perham 25 miles away also. To the north the closest lake worth fishing is stocking in menagha, which is about 25. Nothing south until you get to Miltona and nothing to the east until Shamineau. If I was living in PArk Rapids and I was offered a job in Wadena, it would have to be for a BIGGGG raise, because you're going to use most of it traveling 25 miles to the lakes. I do it 3 nights a week and just live with the expense. The wife loves to fish so it works for us....Wadena itself isn't a bad place to live, although it's not what it was 10 years ago....On the other hand...Alot of people live on the lakes and commute to work. It's a nice 1/2 hour drive to and from work, what's the difference whether you drive to work or drive to fish!!!

Got to fly, it's fishing league night and we're off to Big PIne.

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Thanks for the input everyone. It's a tough call, being 5-10 minutes away from numerous great lakes right now that I know pretty well vs. more money and basically fishin on the weekends. Thanks again.

Mike

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