Fishing Otter Tail Lake

AKA: Ottertail Lake, Otter Tail County Lake

Popular Fish Species
Otter Tail Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
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Otter Tail Lake, MN

Popular Fish Species Otter Tail Lake, MN

Otter Tail County Lake Popular Fish - Walleye

Walleye Fishing

Walleye continue to thrive in Otter Tail Lake this year thanks to a plenty of forage in the lake. Rocky and gravel are preferred areas for the spawn. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water on flats. Concentrate around structure like points, flats and ledges off the river channels. Walleye have excellent, low-light vision which helps them find food in deep or murky water. Make an effort to be on the water during low light conditions. One of the proven methods for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for walleye can be very rewarding. Use GPS to locate fishing spots you normally fish during other times of the year.

Otter Tail County Lake Popular Fish - Black Crappie

Black Crappie Fishing

A nice population of black crappie resides in Otter Tail Lake. Crappie tend to run in schools, and once a school is located, there is a good chance for catching significant numbers. Crappie fishing is easy and requires simple, basic gear. Virtually any fishing pole, reasonably small line and crappie jigs or small hooks baited with live bait, creates the ideal setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to maintain. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. When the lake freezes over, ice fishing is often a great way to catch a nice bunch of slabs. Because crappie prefer cover and structure, locate brush and vegetation in appropriate water depths. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water.

Otter Tail County Lake Popular Fish - Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Otter Tail Lake is a good smallmouth bass fishing lake. Many locals enjoy smallmouth fishing, as smallies are tough fighters and very exciting to catch. Smallmouth bass fishing is particularly good virtually anytime they are shallow. Use shallow spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, crankbaits, tube baits and jerkbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In winter, spend your time on deeper structure with drop-shot rigs, small worms, jigs and spoons. Largemouth bass also reside here in good numbers. Rock piles and points are prime areas for smallmouth as these areas are also home to crawfish. When the lake freezes over, consider ice fishing for smallies.

Otter Tail Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, walleye, bluegill, green sunfish, rock bass, yellow perch and northern pike at Otter Tail Lake in Minnesota.

Sometimes an ice-fishing mecca, other times a great vacation lake in summer, and always a great fishing destination, Otter Tail Lake is a 13,700-acre lake in the west-central part of the state, at Otter Tail.

Walleye fishing is a major attraction on Otter Tail Lake. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass can be found in Otter Tail Lake, delighting bass anglers of all skill levels. Yellow perch are abundant and provide excvellent fishing opportunities. Bluegill and black crappie are popular panfish species in Otter Tail Lake, attracting anglers with their abundance and cooperative nature.

Boating, water skiing, boat parties and fishing draw visitors to this scenic getaway with over 20 miles of shoreline. Bass, walleye, crappie, perch and pike populate the lake, and all are caught with regularity in season, or through the ice in winter. Three boating access areas are located around the lake. On the north shore is the Riviera North Public Water Access off Pub Access Road. On the southeast corner of the lake is the Public Boat Landing Ottertail, off Bay View Road. Riverside West Public Water Access is located in the southwest corner of the lake, off Ottertail Road.

Primary fish species residing in Otter Tail Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Otter Tail Lake Amenities

Marina: NO
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Barky's Resort
Rentals: Fishing boats and pontoon boats
218 405-0136

Big Fish
Rentals: Kayaks
218 862-7900

Lakes Area Paddle Sports
Rentals: Kayaks and pontoon boats
218 382-4787

Otter Tail Beach Resort
Rentals: Fishing boats and pontoon boats
218 864-5860

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Pelican Bay Public Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, east side, off Otter Tail Scenic Byway, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Riviera North Public Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, off Public Access Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Riverside West Public Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, south side, off Ottertail Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.