Otter Tail Lake

• Otter Tail Lake stretches over 13,725 surface acres and is 120 feet deep. The lake is part of the Otter Tail River chain of lakes. Rush, Big Pine and Little Pine lakes are located upstream and Deer, East Lost and West Lost lakes are located downstream. Since 2001, the lake has been stocked with thousands of lake sturgeon and walleye which, along with yellow perch, are the most plentiful fish in the lake for anglers.
  
  

Walleye

• More walleye are caught in Otter Tail Lake than any other fish. According to the Minnesota Department of Resources, the walleye is named for its pearlescent eye, which is caused by a reflective layer of pigment that helps it see and feed at night or in murky water The fish, which are plentiful throughout most of Minnesota's lakes, can weigh as much as 20 pounds. The average walleye caught in Otter Tale Lake waters is 14 inches long and weighs 1 pound.
  
  

Northern Pike

• Northern pike are the easiest fish to catch in Otter Tail Lake because they bite on most lures or bait. The average Northern pike will weigh 2 to 3 pounds, but the fish can weigh up to 20 pounds. The fish is popular among anglers because it has a chunky, white fillet that many fishermen would argue tastes as good or better than walleye.
  
  

Equipment and licensing

• When walleye fishing, most anglers use a one-eighth or quarter-ounce jig with a white, yellow, green or black twister tail and a small piece of worm or walleye intestine as bait. According to the Northern Pike Fishing Guide, the best way to catch a Northern pike is to use lures that incorporate cranks, spoons and spinners. A fishing license is required of all Otter Tail Lake anglers. Licenses cost anywhere from $8.50 for an individual 24-hour license, all the way $40.50 for a 14-day couples pass. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources sells licenses online, through the mail, or in person at one of the department's offices.
  
  

Weather

• Like the rest of the Minnesota, Otter Tail's seasons can be severe. It is not uncommon to reach temperatures of minus-10 degrees Fahrenheit in the wintertime, and summertime temperatures regularly crack triple digits. Springtime weather can be inconsistent, with 70-degree temperatures one day and snow on the ground the next. Fall is generally mild in most of Minnesota, and those mild temperatures can sometimes stretch all the way into December before winter arrives.