Jump to content

  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Otter tail ice up predictions

rookie-8
 Share

Recommended Posts

ray Explorer

ray

Posted
Posted

Planned on fishing West Battle this afternoon but wimped out with the high winds and thoughts of chasing my portable across the lake. I decided to take a scouting trip instead and found lots of houses being pulled by 4-wheelers on most lakes including OT. Pelican Bay is plenty busy so wouldn't worry about walking anywhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
ray Explorer

ray

Posted
Posted

Planned on fishing West Battle this afternoon but wimped out with the high winds and thoughts of chasing my portable across the lake. I decided to take a scouting trip instead and found lots of houses being pulled by 4-wheelers on most lakes including OT. Pelican Bay is plenty busy so wouldn't worry about walking anywhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
walleye_jigger Enthusiast

walleye_jigger

Posted
Posted

I heard a rumor that there was a car out on ottertail Saturday is this true? What seems to be a popular depth to fish on Ottertail. Never fished it before but thinking of trying.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jarrod32 Mentor

Jarrod32

Posted
Posted

A lot of permanents went out to the first break out from Pelican Bay over the weekend (including mine). About 8" or so of pretty good ice; but it gets a lot thinner if you go out much further. There is one ice heave that you have to watch out for heading out...

Didn't see any vehicles on the ice, except for a few rigs that were parked on the ice right next to the access. A lot of ATV's and snowmobiles.

[This message has been edited by Jarrod32 (edited 12-08-2003).]

Link to comment
Share on other sites
walleye_jigger Enthusiast

walleye_jigger

Posted
Posted

Hey Jarrod32 this may seem like stupid question but where is pelican bay, what part of the lake?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest

Guest

Posted
Posted

Pelican Bay access is right on Hwy 78, just a mile south from Ottertail city.

This week's cold is going to do wonders for OT!! This coming weekend I hope to get the ATV out to my trusty spots.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
walleye_jigger Enthusiast

walleye_jigger

Posted
Posted

Thanks for the info CD. We have been Big Pine faithfull but now with the slot being enforced, we decided to go else where. What is the average depth to fish for the eye's. Looked at a map and saw the many breaks and depth changes that Ottertail has. Where do you begin?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest

Guest

Posted
Posted

I like to fish a steep break that has a "flat" at the top of the break. The flat should be somewhere around 15 feet deep for early ice and gradually go deeper as the season progresses.

There is so much structure on OT it is challenging to find key structure thru the ice. It's good to scout with a boat in open water and mark spots on GPS.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest

Guest

Posted
Posted

Don't hesitate to fish the deep 35-45ft. humps. get a contour map and hopefully GPS coordianates--search the area, drop your ducer and look for the red lines 1-3 ft. off the bottom!

Lots of 13-16" eaters and Perch congregate here and hardly anyone fishes them.

Use non-stretch type line and a 4-6lb. 3ft. leader of choice and a 1/4 oz. spoon of choice with a fathead head.

------------------
Chells

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Captain B.R.K Veteran

Captain B.R.K

Posted
Posted

So are you guys saying OT has a good 7-9" of ice?
About how far out from the access can a guy get before the ice starts getting thinner?

Thanks, -B

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest

Guest

Posted
Posted

Far out spots would include a 3-4 mile drive from any access or the dead middle of the lake is where I like to fish with ATV or snowmobile.

I haven't scouted much...has anyone been venturing way out to the middle of OT?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Captain B.R.K Veteran

Captain B.R.K

Posted
Posted

CD- I ask because I'll be in the area and might make it up to OT on Saturday.

I was out there over Christmas last year...real cloudy water and couldn't see the perch/eyes come in. Hope that changed for this year!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest

Guest

Posted
Posted

Cloudy water, huh? I used my camera once or twice last year and the water seemed clear for me. I didn't see any fish with the camera either...they got spooked from it wink.gif


Link to comment
Share on other sites
Captain B.R.K Veteran

Captain B.R.K

Posted
Posted

Probably did get spooked. I'd be afraid if a 4 inch BLACK submarine came into my area....I'd swim too wink.gif

Tight lines!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest

Guest

Posted
Posted

Man, it is cold! I'm going to venture out on OT this weekend. Hopefully reach my spots way out.

Grand Dad,
No crappie fishing in OT that I know of, but Walker lake (just north of OT) has crappies.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jarrod32 Mentor

Jarrod32

Posted
Posted

I've only ventured out about a half mile or so - the first break from Pelican Bay. I haven't seen anyone venture out further, at least not from the east/northeast side. The middle of the lake was open as recently as a week ago, but froze over last weekend. I would guess that it is probably ATV/snowmobile safe by this weekend. Tread with caution in the middle of the lake, though.

I would expect that I'll be out there by mid-afternoon today...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • smurfy
      2024Mn fishing opener......

      By smurfy · Posted

      is 3 weeks away............who's going and where???? i skip the first week and i'll head up to the cabin the 2nd week.  ussually fish smaller lakes. 
    • jparrucci
      water levels

      By jparrucci · Posted

      Very low, probably 2 feet lower than last year at ice out.
    • mbeyer
      water levels

      By mbeyer · Posted

      what do they look like this spring?
    • SkunkedAgain
      Ice-Out 2024

      By SkunkedAgain · Posted

      I might have missed a guess, but here are the ones that I noted:   JerkinLips – March 27th, then April 7th Brianf. – March 28th Bobberwatcher – April…. MikeG3Boat – April 10th SkunkedAgain – early April, then April 21st   Definitely a tough year for guesses, as it seemed to be a no-brainer early ice out. Then it got cold and snowed again.
    • mbeyer
      Ice-Out 2024

      By mbeyer · Posted

      MN DNR posted April 13 as Ice out date for Vermilion
    • Brianf.
      Ice-Out 2024

      By Brianf. · Posted

      ^^^45 in the morning and 47 in the evening
    • CigarGuy
      Ice-Out 2024

      By CigarGuy · Posted

      👍. What was the water temp in Black Bay? Thanks....
    • Brianf.
      Ice-Out 2024

      By Brianf. · Posted

      No, that wasn't me.  I drive a 621 Ranger. 
    • CigarGuy
      Ice-Out 2024

      By CigarGuy · Posted

      So, that was you in the camo lund? I'm bummed, I have to head back to the cities tomorrow for a few days, then back up for at least a few weeks. Got the dock in and fired up to get out chasing some crappies till opener!
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      Sturgeon Fishing is Hot

      By LakeofthewoodsMN · Posted

      On the south end...   Lots of ice on the main basin, but it is definitely deteriorating.  Some anglers have been fishing the open water at the mouth of the Rainy River in front of the Lighthouse Gap.  The rest of the basin is still iced over. Pike enthusiasts caught some big pike earlier last week tip up fishing in pre-spawn areas adjacent to traditional spawning areas.  8 - 14' of water using tip ups with live suckers or dead bait such as smelt and herring has been the ticket.  Ice fishing for all practical purposes is done for the year. The focus for the basin moving forward will be pike transitioning into back bays to spawn,  This is open water fishing and an opportunity available as the pike season is open year round on Lake of the Woods. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. With both the ice fishing and spring fishing on the Rainy River being so good, many are looking forward to the MN Fishing Opener on Saturday, May 11th.  It should be epic. On the Rainy River...  An absolutely incredible week of walleye and sturgeon fishing on the Rain Rainy River.     Walleye anglers, as a rule, caught good numbers of fish and lots of big fish.  This spring was one for the books.   To follow that up, the sturgeon season is currently underway and although every day can be different, many boats have caught 30 - 40 sturgeon in a day!  We have heard of fish measuring into the low 70 inch range.  Lots in the 60 - 70 inch range as well.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  Open water is continuing to expand in areas with current.  The sight of open water simply is wetting the pallet of those eager for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th.   A few locals were on the ice this week, targeting pike.  Some big slimers were iced along with some muskies as well.  If you like fishing for predators, LOW is healthy!  
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

  I accept