ICE Fishing- Ottertail Lake- West Central MN

[StevieISU23]

Ottertail Lake--West Central MN
Leaving in a Week (1/20).

Anyone been up that way to give any reports on fishing, or ice conditions, or recommendations on lures and bait and whatnot.

Past years we simply drive trucks to the heated shacks.
Fish mainly with minnows and jigging spoons.
Mostly Perch, with a few Walters and Pike mixed in.

With this years warm weather, we are hoping we can drive on the ice, and that perm shacks are available.
Food/restaurant recommendations too, thanks.

 

[HappyJoe]

Eat at Zorbaz, drink at The Otter. Haven't ice fished Ottertail in a long time but did well open water last spring. My Dad and buddies have done well so far this winter on area lakes. Not sure on ice conditions but I'd check out area bait shops for info. Have a blast, that area is heaven!

 

[cydline2cydline]

 

[legi]

Eat at Zorbaz, drink at The Otter. Haven't ice fished Ottertail in a long time but did well open water last spring. My Dad and buddies have done well so far this winter on area lakes. Not sure on ice conditions but I'd check out area bait shops for info. Have a blast, that area is heaven!

Zorbaz on Ottertail Lake is great but closed during winter months.

 

[jcyclonee]

Ottertail Lake--West Central MN
Leaving in a Week (1/20).

Anyone been up that way to give any reports on fishing, or ice conditions, or recommendations on lures and bait and whatnot.

Past years we simply drive trucks to the heated shacks.
Fish mainly with minnows and jigging spoons.
Mostly Perch, with a few Walters and Pike mixed in.

With this years warm weather, we are hoping we can drive on the ice, and that perm shacks are available.
Food/restaurant recommendations too, thanks.

I know you can find walleye in the northeast part of the lake.

I'll agree with the drink at the Otter recommendation. Willy T's has some pretty good sports bar-type food and the best tater tots you'll ever have (they're huge and stuffed with bacon). There's a gas station in Ottertail (BP?) that has great cinnamon rolls. There's a good BBQ place somewhere near Zorbaz if you're on that side of the lake.

 

[StevieISU23]

Bumpers gonna Bump.
I hear the ice is 15 Inches in most places, so trucks should be ok on the Ice.
Fishing has been very slow the past week, so hopefully they will turn on, right when we get there.!

Zorbaz on ottertail is closed, but the Zorbaz on Little Pine is open!....MACHO NACHOs.

I am sure we will hit the Otter a few lunches or Dinners, and drink too much.

Willy T's is decent, but a golfcourse club house is a little too nice for some smelly fishermen.

Be there in 64 hours....not that I am counting.

 

[StevieISU23]

One more bump,

Leave in 10 hours, should be fishing by this time tomorrow.
1 Truck left this AM, to get an early start...

MACHO NACHOs!!

 

[HappyJoe]

My Dad and friends are actually heading up there to fish Rush Lake this weekend. You will very likely run into se ISU fans. Especially at The Otter.

 

[stateofmind]

What about Betty's HJ? Am I giving away another Otter secret? :wink:

 

[StevieISU23]

Bump, 2 weeks til the 2017 contest vs my Liver.
Any reports on how thick the Ice is, Can we drive trucks?
Fishing reports too..!

 

[Cig 'em]

Bump, 2 weeks til the 2017 contest vs my Liver.
Any reports on how thick the Ice is, Can we drive trucks?
Fishing reports too..!

How did you do last year?

 

[StevieISU23]

2020 OtterTail Ice Fishing in Upon Us!
What you Say, Cyclone Fanatics...............anyone been up that way with reports?????

 

[2020cy]

They have ice.

 

[2020cy]

Hope you weren’t fishing yesterday.

 

[HappyJoe]

My parents now have a year round home on Donald’s Lake next to Ottertail. I think they will be up there by mid week next. Dad will be fishing everywhere. Tons of snow on the lakes and very difficult lake travel I’ve been told. Feel free to ask questions about specific lakes or reach out to my dad. He’s a part time guide of sorts as well. Good luck and enjoy.