Walleye fishing continues to be strong in Otter Tail Lakes Country. It’s exciting. The past few weeks seemed a bit hit-and-miss for most anglers but the walleye have finally slipped into mid-June patterns and fishing is much more consistent. The final hurdle to get over this spring are the bug hatches, and most specifically, the Mayfly hatch. Until then, it’s smooth fishing. The great thing about walleye fishing across Otter Tail Lakes Country is that it’s an every-angler event. The walleye are biting in shallow water, mid-depth water, weed lines, rocks, and sand. They’ll bite on minnows, leeches and crawlers and fishermen can take their pick of tackle—jigging, live bait rigging, bottom bouncing, slip bobbering, or crank bait fishing will all work. Fish from shore, a bridge or a boat—no matter, they all have merit. The panfish are beginning to occupy multiple depth zones. Some are along the shoreline and are clinging to visual structure like emerging bulrushes and pencil reeds and trees and stumps, while others or out and along the weed edges where they are easy to mark. Otter Tail Lakes Country’s crappies have completed their spawn so they are not as accessible as they were a couple of weeks ago. In fact, crappie can be very difficult to find while they are in a post- spawn state. The water temps across the region seem to be solid at around 68 degrees on nearly all lakes—but back bays and shallow lakes can be as warm as 74 degrees and warmer when the sun is out. Cast straight, watch your trolling speed and don’t fish under a lighting storm. Enjoy your fishing in Otter Tail Lakes Country and good luck.

By Ross Hagemeister, meisterguideservice.com