Happy fall everyone! I think it’s finally here. The fishing is really coming around. Summer no longer has a grip on the fish. Our shorter days, longer nights and falling temps all contribute to drastic changes in the underwater world. Keep your wits about you. For as good as the fish bite this time of year, they might be tricky to find. If you’re looking for fish where you were looking a couple weeks ago, you’re not going to find any. When you do find fish, however, they are sure to give you a tug. Walleye are among the species of fish that respond well in the fall. Use a minnow or a crawler and start trolling. Don’t look for walleye on your sonar—it’ll only slow you down. Most walleye I’m catching right now do not show up on your electronics so you’ll have to rely on your fishing instincts to direct you to areas that have produced in the past or that appear to be “fishy”. For sunfish and crappie—think deep and think suspending. While weeds may hold some small panfish on some lakes, I like to look to at deep drops or will search for suspending panfish over muddy basins adjacent to weed lines. Bass are still lurking around vegetation but don’t forget to look along the deep weed line as well as the inside weed line. It’s not uncommon to catch high numbers of bass and large bass in 25 feet of water right now. One thing to keep in mind for fall fishing in Otter Tail Lakes Country is to keep moving until you get a fish or three. Most species are in large groups on most lakes in the fall—if you find a couple there’s a good chance you’ve found a big bunch. And when you find a large number of fish, of any species, the odds are in your favor that they are going to bite very well. Fish good and good luck. Enjoy Otter Tail Lakes Country this fall. By Ross Hagemeister, Meister Guide Service, meisterguideservice.com