Otter Tail Fishing Report

[Maverick1951]

Just returned from two days of fishing on OT. It was very cold, but our portables worked out nicely. We drove out of Riviera and the landing is in very good shape. There was a nice trail out to many places along the first break going toward Amor Point. When you got out about a quarter of a mile you could pretty much drive anywhere, but you had to watch out for old ice house sites. I found the ice to be in the 18 to 20 inch range, depending on the amount of snow. We did not encounter any slush, but we didn't venture very far out either. The perch were biting, but kind of slow. We managed about 30 real nice ones between the two of us. The Eyes bit better on Sunday, but they were mostly small. We only kept a couple around 14 inches.

We caught everything on fatheads and glow baits with a red eye. I think we did pretty well considering we were trying new spots and with the weather being so cold.

As far as I could see, there were no good roads going to the east toward the river opening.

[MJCatfish]

Sounds like you had a fun, successful trip on the pond. Thanks for the report. I haven't been out there much in the past week or so, but will try to get out soon.

MJ

[Maverick1951]

Okay, 329 people have read this thread and no one has added much. I can't believe no one else has fished the big pond, so let's get it going. You don't have to give up your hot spot, but letting other FMer's know the conditions and some info on the bite would be great. Of course, that's just my opinion.

I will be up there again the first of February and unless something happens that I can't get out, I will post a report.

By the way, they seemed to be biting in 25 to 30 feet more than shallow, and on the dropoffs was better than the flats.

[Kylersk]

Maverick1951,

I'm heading up this weekend and I'm suprised there is only 1 recent report on the lake (that being yours). I asked for tips and info and had 1 reply. While a possible Fergie sighting this summer has 6 or 7 replies.

[hhguide]

I saw the same thing! if I had info I'd be writing about it but I dont have any.

[ottertailguy]

I think this forum is very good for find out how thick the ice is, because that's a safety concern. But now the ice has gotten thicker, nobody wants everyone and their brother to show up. I'll be up this weekend and will also report after we come back.

[Maverick1951]

Thanks, I look forward to some reports.

[nels824]

I was out this past weekend as well, fished in 29 fow, the bite was decent from sunup till about 11 both days. Sat. caught a 2 - 14's, 2 - 12's and a few smaller eye's as well as a couple of perch. Sun. caught 6 in that 10 - 12" range. Ice was good I'd say that 18 - 20" range. Some nice trails but could go just about anywhere.

Used a plain hook with a shiner and a glow with a red eye on the jig rod, I even cought one on a chubby darter, first one since I've had it.

[Maverick1951]

In my first report, I forgot to mention that I also caught a rock bass. First time I have ever caught one through the ice. Our best fishing seemed to be between 2:00 PM and Dark.

[kobear]

I've been out off Riviera the last couple times, although Pelican Bay looks alot better now. The ramps heaved up some there. The perch seem to have mostly dropped deep now. The shallow fish were much more active.

[Gissert]

I fished off or Pelican a couple weeks ago. Some decent perch were caught, but the walleyes never really showed up. Caught and releaced a 26 and a 30 inch pike, too.

[Kylersk]

Just got back from a weekend up on Ottertail. Spent Friday morning stuck on our way out from the south towards granpa's reef. After about a half mile out, the road just seemed to disappear and I followed a lone truck path out. Luckilly we were stuck in fishable waters (about 20') and managed to catch some perch and a couple walleyeys (one keeper). My buddies brother lived about 1/2 hour a way and was going to meet us, so we were not really worried about getting out. Once he showed up, we got out really easy and made our way towards Grandpa's. Didnt get much at all in about 24' of water.

So, Saturday morning we made our way back south and tried a different spot at about 24'. Fishing wasnt going too well, so I decided to walk out and drill a few other holes. First hole I tried was in 34' of water and I landed 2 nice perch and 1 nice walleye in about 5 minutes of fishing. So, we moved the house to that spot. Through out the day we caught perch after perch and managed to keep a few nice ones. I was excited for the night bite, but it didnt pan out. We didnt get much.

Sunday morning we fished for a few hours and caught probably 5 or 6 smaller walleys and a bunch of perch, but by 10am we were tired of catching small perch and decided to call it a weekend.

Overall, we ate fish every night and I was able to bring enough home for my family to enjoy. But, it could have been better.

One thing that suprised me was the fact there really were not any roads heading out. Seemed like the few people that did venture out, went on their own way. I was also suprised to see that there really wasnt an Ice town on the lake. It was rare to see 2 houses in the same area.

[gooseroller]

I just returned from a weekend at my folks on ottertail, the fishing was ok we caught a bunch of perch, kept a few for a meal and let the rest swim. Went to west battle and found a crack and got a little stuck in a slush pocket but also found some decent sunfish and crappies so all in all a great weekend. We had 5 kids with us and they were on fish all weekend.

[fishin58]

Fishing was a little slow out from Amor on saturday,I will have to move next time out,the pike were on the prowl for the majority of the time we were there so I guess that did not help,finally got the vife out for the year, but her R.A limited our time on the water. I was very happy to see that the access was smooth as it can be!

[fishermatt]

I was out on OT too, and I think it's pretty much over for the season on OT. Better ice next year!

[Maverick1951]

Fishermatt,

Don't give up so soon. We have had our best fishing in February on OT. A couple of nice days and they will be back. At the very least, don't tell my wife they aren't biting. I need to keep her fooled for a few more weeks.

Mav

[ChuckN]

Ah, don't let fishermatt fill ya up, he gave up on the ice season on December 4th here.

You've missed a great season....it's been a wet one from all the slush, but good fishin, has made up for it.

[WallyGader]

 Originally Posted By: Kylersk

I was also suprised to see that there really wasnt an Ice town on the lake. It was rare to see 2 houses in the same area.

Sounds like the perfect scenario to me, that means you have the entire lake to yourself. Theres no perms all over the structure, no garbage, and racing across the lake in full size trucks, no pressure!, just a few things i have seen alot of fishing north metro lakes..

[fishermatt]

Geez Chuck, I had my "doom and gloom" posted in the perfect spot, and you came along and blew it for me! Most years I catch more walleyes in February than December or January!

[Maverick1951]

I just got back from fishing Ottertail this weekend. I would like to report that we caught a ton of fish, but that just wasn't the case. The bite was very slow. We fished between 20 and 30 feet and only caught a couple of small eyes and no perch. We went out of Riviera and getting around was pretty easy. We talked to a couple of other guys and they reported the same lack of success. Hopefully, someone else had better luck.

[ottertailguy]

Fished Ottertail Saturday with no luck also. We fished the same depths east of Riviera access. I guess we should of tried deeper or shallower.

[kobear]

I fished Saturday and it was real slow. From 6 feet to 40, east of Riviera to west of Pelican Bay. Picked up two small eyes. Sunday, a few of the same holes put out a dozen decent perch, walleyes (too small & 1 too big), and a few tulibees. Wish it would have been me out there Sunday. I didn't even tell them how bad Saturday was, thats fishin.

[fishermatt]

This would be the perfect place to say "you guys should re-examine your presentations, cuz I got a couple limits over the weekend". But Chuckles (godfather) would just flambaste me for being full of it anyway, so I better not. I told ya, things get WAAAAAAYYYYY tougher in February....... ; - ) Time to get after them Crappies!! YUM!! I heard WB is on fire!!! Same with Rush! See ya on those lakes!

[ChuckN]

I wouldn't dare. I could swear I was having a successful season because you called it quits so prematurely. Guess not.

WB and Rush on fire?

[nocsious]

I must be the world's worst ice angler. I was on rush the weekend of the 25th and hardly caught a thing. I also lost maybe $200 in gear when my pole bucket fell off the truck somewhere. I catch 'em every other time of year but can't seem to get much ice fishing.

[fishermatt]

Just joshing ya Chuck. ;-) I honestly have not heard of anyone doing good on Rush or WB. I would think a guy could get into some sunfish on rush at least. There's still some great walleye action to be had this month. Just gotta know where to be, when to be there, and what to use!! But please don't expect people to give up spots or techniques that have taken 25 years to figure out. Everyone's looking for a shortcut, whether it be slot limits or lower limits or whatever, but if you want to catch walleyes consistently, there are NO shortcuts. It's takes hard work and many failures over many years to master a lake through all the seasons.

[hhguide]

Well put on the time and effort! " You have to fail to succeed!"

[tacklebox7FF]

west battle is got hit harder that I've ever seen it get hit this year.. I went to a couple spots and caught a few out there but nothing for size like the last couple years...

[bassbozo]

I am off of Riviera also. I was out for the weekend and also all day yesterday. Didn't catch much but a few SMALL walleyes and a couple of decent perch. I did hear from one guy that he was really nailing the perch with the occasional walleye, and even one Eelpout. After a while of talking he finally told me where his house was. I am hoping to check it out this weekend he said he was in 48 ft of water and he could only use one line because they were biting so fast...might have to try out this spot this weekend.