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I'm going to be up at my in-laws cabin on Ottertail Aug 17-19. I have not been fishing in a month since my boy Jake was born on July 16, I'm hoping to get a couple of hours fishing one of the days while Jake's grandparents are babysitting. Since my time on the water will be short, does anybody have some ideas on what I should use, where I could start, when I should be fishing and what I should be fishing for? I will be using a small Lund boat with 25 horse engine that trolls down nice, a good depth finder, and portable GPS. Thanks in advance for your help.

Jim

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

In my very limited experience on Ottertail paired with everything I've been told about fishing it. I would hit it evening or early morning. It's a real tough lake during the day. Pull shad raps on the flats in the evenings and you should have some success.

Good Luck!

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  • 1 month later...

yup, I am a big fan of vertical jigging on ottertail this time of the year right up until ice up. Run and gun, mark fish on the locator, pop a few eyes go find some more. gotta love it! If the fish just wont go on a jig (seldom happens) try rigging a redtail or shiner minnow through them, if they still wont go move and find another batch of fish.
We were on ottertail yesterday morning and thats how it played out. Fished three hours caught 8 walleyes, kept three plus a few jumbo perch in the 8 to 10 inch range, just enough to feed my family. Life can be good on the tail this time of the year. another option is pulling crankbaits along the shallower weededges. Favorite colors for cranks on ottertail for me are firetiger, chrome/silver and crawfish. I mostly pull shad raps.. Good luck and good fishing!!! Paul

------------------
Paul Rohweller
Pine to Prairie Guide Service
218-962-3387
http://fishingminnesota.com/pinetoprairie

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Homer (or paul) -
How was the fishing on ottertail? I haven't fished ottertail in several years, but plan on trying it towards the end of september.

Paul - what type of presentations will be best during the day on ottertail in the late september timeframe? I have heard that deep water vertical jigging works - do you have any input on that?
thanks

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