Ottertrack Lake, Minnesota: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  The Lake County entry here is Ottertrack Lake, in Minnesota. Elevation runs to 1,381 feet. Surface area runs to roughly 342 acres, so plan for one area rather than the whole. The outline measures near 20 miles, so a boat opens up water the bank never reaches. Size puts it in the front rank of our Lake County list. The nearest town is Ely, 40 miles away. Grand Marais lies 46 miles off, Atikokan another 47 miles. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Ottertrack Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. County-wide records name white sucker, yellow perch, northern pike, rainbow trout and walleye. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. On Ottertrack Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 64°F on average, January about 4°F. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer and winter test it. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly late April. The lid tends to go about late April and return around mid November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Plan around that when you fish Ottertrack Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Overnight stays are possible half a mile away. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. For a change of water, Mouse Lake is 0.7 miles distant. For Ottertrack Lake in particular, ask before you travel.