1-8-2011 Otter Tail lake report

[ND4LIFE]

Got out and setup on the ice about 1:00 yesterday. Went about 1.5 miles southeast of the Riviera landing. There are a few plowed roads heading out from this landing. Some slush in spots on the plowed roads. There is a lot of snow on the ice and finding a place to park off the plowed roads can be tricking. I would not venture out there with out a 4x4 and good tires. Some one in a newer Chevy 4x4 got stuck near my house. They were trying to turn around and pulled into a semi-plowed road off the main. I let them borrow my shovel and with a few pushes they got out. There tires were practically bald. The amount of snow doesn't allow you to be very mobile with a pickup. Even a good 4 wheeler probably wouldn't make it. Only a decent snowmobile could make to any spot you wanted to fish (that or maybe a helicopter).

Fishing was dead all afternoon. I was in about 19 feet of water with 12" of ice. Only fish I caught were at sunset and they were all walleyes. A couple cigars, one 10" that a let go, and one keeper that made it just to the bottom of the hole and then the hook came out. If we could be more mobile we would have spent the afternoon chasing down perch but it just to difficult to move around. The snow is a real burden for accessing the fish.

[I Love teeth]

Thanks for the report. We were going to try and fish it today. Sounds like everywhere you go is the same. Lots of water and lots of snow

[ND4LIFE]

Did a little fishing on a small lake closer to home today. Didn't catch much and didn't keep anything. From what I gather it was just a slow weekend everywhere.

[usmcjsy]

Was out on OT this weekend as well. It was nice having the plowed roads. It would have been almost impossible with out them. I brought out a snow blower and made a path to my perm from the plowed road. I would like to say thanks to Kens Tackle for organizing the plowing. He said he has had more anglers stopping in and putting some $$ in the plow jar. I would also like to say thanks to the anglers who have stopped in and chipped in. As if not for the donations, the roads would probably be very few if at all. Also please dont drill holes on the roads or park on them. Bring a shovel or snow blower and clear out a area a little ways off the road so others can use them. I really did not have much trouble at all getting around the lake. Granted its not like earlier where you can just set up where ever you wanted, however there is currently plenty of good road ways that you can get around the lake and still have a good time out on the lake. Keep up the tips to the plow jar, and we will all be able to ride this ice season to the end.