Ottertail River

[JBMasterAngler]

I'm not too familiar with the area, but am wondering if there are any good spots to access a canoe on the ottertail river? What could I expect to catch there? Was maybe thinking of doing some exploring opener weekend or the week after.

[apAngler18]

growing up we floated from Perham to Rush Lake..the rush lakes 'eyes are still in the river hopefully..never fished any other stretches.

[Gissert]

There is a put in spot north of Fergus on CR #1, and the takeout spot is on SH #210 a few miles downstream. This is probably a 2-3 trip. You can put in father north if you wish for a longer float.

Lots of smallies which are closed at that time of year. In fact, smallies are C and R only on the Ottertail River. There are pike in there as well.

You can get all the way into Fergus if you wish, but you may have to do a short portage around the Hoot Lake power plant.

[JBMasterAngler]

That smallie rule is fairly new isn't it? I've heard that the overall fishing is pretty good, but I figured I'd get the best info by asking the "locals". How is the scenery? Is it pretty secluded?

[Gissert]

Smallie rule has been in place for a while, probably getting close to 10 years. The scenery is pretty nice in many areas. The water is also very clear. I used to float from Friberg dam all the way into town. Probably 7-8 hours or so. More and more development all the time, but nice looking homes.

Some parts are rather secluded, some is ag land. As you get close to Fergus, you will float past the ruins of a concrete dam that gave way in the early 1900's. This is down stream from the Hwy 210 takeout point.

Some of the stretches below the Highway 1 put in spot can be pretty low in times of dryness.

[fishin58]

Hey Gissert, why in the rule book do they mention wilkin county for the rule regarding "wilkin co rd 19 crossing upstream to the friberg dam including all impoundments". Is this worded wrong or is it the way I am interpreting it?? Has anyone fished the O.T from Fergus west?? Also while we are on the subject somewhat.. has anyone fished the lake south of Fergus but north of Orwell, it has a carry in spot..I believe the name of it is Rush??

[Gissert]

I am not really sure why they stop the regulation at the Wilkin county line.

Once you get a few miles west of Orwell Dam, the river is a different kind of stream all together. The current slackens, and the water gets a lot muddier. Not really your classic smallie habitat. Below Orwell, you will aso get into some catfish.

I think the impoundment you refer to may be Dayton Hollow? I used to fish it as a kid, but have not for a lot of years.

There are a bunch of differnt float options you can try.

Another good one is to put in at Ottertail or Deer Lake, and float to West Lost. You can fish the river, and the lakes you will float through. Some stretches of river here have some decent bluegill action at times.

You can stop for a break at Phelps Mill, and fish below the dam. That is a great spot to spend some time.

[fishin58]

Nope, sorry Gissert it looks like it is another couple miles north and to the west of dayton.. I tried finding this lake during deer hunting around orwell but I couldnt find it..I didnt have a map with though..It is on some maps but not all,it is carry in only if that helps.

[tacklebox7FF]

it's pretty much all private, except the dam road which is owned by ottertail power..

[Pleasant]

The lake you are talking about is in the corner to the west? (my direction get all turned around out there) where County 114 hits 200th Street, just after the Dayton Hollow Road turn off. I remember shore fishing it as a kid with Dad, there was a section line road that would get you to it. Whether the road still exists I have no idea.