first time on dead lake

[darmstadter]

any tips on what to fish for on dead lake would be great. i will be there the first week in july. thanks

[Guest]

Dead Lake (last week) June 15.....walleyes in the evening. Leech or nice big shiner on a Lindy rig 15 feet of water. BUT next month who knows....I just about got 'zipped' on Ottertail for walleyes. Small and ONLY at 20-22 feet with a fathead minnow..go figure.......

[Guest]

Dead Lake is a great lake. It is especially beautiful as it has relatively little development for a lake it's size, especially in areas of the east (narrow) end. The east end is also a good spot to go when it is windy, as there are sheltered areas. We were there last week and I saw the first Pileated Woodpecker of my life that wasn't in a book. This is a scarce and reclusive woodpecker the size of a crow. As far as the fishing goes, I have fished there only in June, and have had luck with bass, northern, crappies, and sunfish/bluegill. Last week we caught a nice mess of sunfish/bluegills in the nine inch range in shallow water in the east end. They probably won't be that shallow in July, though. I am generally not patient enough to fish walleyes much and am of the opinion that bluegills are just as good of a meal, so I can't say much about that, although there is an underwater hump almost straight across from the boat ramp on the south shore of the east end that had about four boats around it last week when we went. I'm sure they were after the 'eyes. The hump is marked with a "danger buoy". I do know that it is a good walleye lake. Everyone up there is so crazy over walleyes that they don't bother with a whole lot of fish that are easier to catch and just as good to eat. I prefer to throw out the anchor, put my feet up, crack open a cold beer, and catch a live well full of panfish in about three hours to being bounced around in a boat for ten hours just so I can say I caught two walleyes. Just my two cents. My preferred rig is a large leech on a live bait hook fished under a slip bobber at varying depths. The big walleye/artificial lure boys will scoff, but I guarantee it will put meat on the table. I would highly recommend stopping at Ken's Bait and Tackle for more up to date info. It is located on the road that goes up the far west shore of Ottertail Lake, just north of where the Ottertail River comes out of that lake. He has guides working out of his place that fish Dead Lake. Another option is Ben's Bait on the south side of the town of Battle Lake. Good luck!

[Guest]

We had luck catching northerns near the barn on the north part of the lake. We usually caught them in about 10 feet of water early in the morning or late evening using a lindy rig. Leeches would probably work best. I haven't fished Dead Lake yet this year, so this might have changed.

[Guest]

Much of dead lake may currently be secluded, rumors are circulating of a recent 7800 acre land purchase by a local developer. things may change.

[Guest]

dinosupreme,

That's really too bad. You would think the DNR would be able to step in on something like that, but I'm not from the area so have no clue about about local politics, regulations, etc. All I know is that out of all the lakes I've fished up there, Dead is cetainly in my top two or three for pleasure factor.