Minnesota Pro Tip of the Week: On Otter Tail lakes, focus on cups rather than points

By Phil Jensen

Years of guiding experience: 40.

Favorite lakes: Otter Tail, Big Pine and Mille Lacs.

A lot of folks have been working that deep water for walleyes during the day, but those are tough fish to get to bite.

We’ve been fishing the shallower water, in 10 to 14 feet of water and waiting for those walleyes to move in shallow late in day, when they appear to be moving up to feed.

We’re fishing the edge of the breaks, and I think cups along the break are better than points. There’s baitfish there, related to whatever old weed growth still remains. The walleyes are just moving up to feed in the later afternoon and evening. The morning, low-light period should be about the same.

We’ve worked those fish, likely the same fish only deeper during the day, but they just don’t seem too interested in feeding then.

Jensen is half of PT’s Guide Service in the Otter Tail County area. Visit his website at ptsguideservice.com or contact him at (701) 866-2847.