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Fishery Profile: Otter Lake
Once in a while it would be nice
to go and catch a boat-load of
fish. Somewhere you could
bring the kids and keep them
entertained the whole time.
Somewhere nearby, that's still
wild and under-developed.
Otter Lake in Chippewa County
would definitely fall into that
category. Every year,
fishermen hear the same
rumor: "Big freeze out, huge
fish kill!". I for one have not
seen it. The fishing in this lake
is super, year round. Otter is a
man made lake, full of
structure. Take heed, know the
lake before you race around it,
it is full of stumps!!! Since
structure is everywhere, fish
are everywhere!
to go and catch a boat-load of
fish. Somewhere you could
bring the kids and keep them
entertained the whole time.
Somewhere nearby, that's still
wild and under-developed.
Otter Lake in Chippewa County
would definitely fall into that
category. Every year,
fishermen hear the same
rumor: "Big freeze out, huge
fish kill!". I for one have not
seen it. The fishing in this lake
is super, year round. Otter is a
man made lake, full of
structure. Take heed, know the
lake before you race around it,
it is full of stumps!!! Since
structure is everywhere, fish
are everywhere!
The best time of the year to hit up Otter would be early May
to mid June. It is pretty easy for anyone to catch a good
sized meal of bluegills and crappies. Try fishing the shallows,
and just throw out a hook with, well......something on it!!! You
will more than likely catch fish. I've caught (or at least seen
them caught) on everything from chunks of crawler to
leeches, to jigs tipped with waxies, pieces of a beetle spin,
and even chewing gum! My favorite way to chase these little
scrappers is on the fly rod. Poppers will work well, along with
spiders. During the spawn, fly fishing will out-produce
bobber fishing for panfish. In the summer months, he panfish
will move out to the deeper water. Try drifting with a crawler,
leech, or jig. This may also be your best chance at catching
one of those elusive Otter Lake walleyes! The DNR has
been stocking them in Otter for years now, and while the lake
isn't really known as a walleye fishery, it houses some large
walleye! According to a warden I talked to this spring, when
they did their survey, they netted some beautiful walleyes,
some over the 25" mark. He also added that some large
Northern Pke were netted as well. I wasn't even aware pike
were in the lake!!
to mid June. It is pretty easy for anyone to catch a good
sized meal of bluegills and crappies. Try fishing the shallows,
and just throw out a hook with, well......something on it!!! You
will more than likely catch fish. I've caught (or at least seen
them caught) on everything from chunks of crawler to
leeches, to jigs tipped with waxies, pieces of a beetle spin,
and even chewing gum! My favorite way to chase these little
scrappers is on the fly rod. Poppers will work well, along with
spiders. During the spawn, fly fishing will out-produce
bobber fishing for panfish. In the summer months, he panfish
will move out to the deeper water. Try drifting with a crawler,
leech, or jig. This may also be your best chance at catching
one of those elusive Otter Lake walleyes! The DNR has
been stocking them in Otter for years now, and while the lake
isn't really known as a walleye fishery, it houses some large
walleye! According to a warden I talked to this spring, when
they did their survey, they netted some beautiful walleyes,
some over the 25" mark. He also added that some large
Northern Pke were netted as well. I wasn't even aware pike
were in the lake!!
A family of Canadian Geese blocking the
south landing!
south landing!
What Otter Lake is really well known for is that it is
an awesome largemouth bass fishery. Hit the lillies
with weedless topwaters such as plastic frogs. Or
throw spinners (black is good) along shorelines and
under docks. Texas rigged worms will get 'em, too.
One surefire way to catch a mixed bag of bluegills
and largemouth is to fish with a leech under a
bobber! Plenty of nice bass are present in this lake.
A lot of 14-16 inchers, with the occasional 20+
caught. The bass will hit all summer long! Many
local clubs hold tournaments here, so if you go
during the week, it shouldn't be so chaotic. There
are some hogs in here!
an awesome largemouth bass fishery. Hit the lillies
with weedless topwaters such as plastic frogs. Or
throw spinners (black is good) along shorelines and
under docks. Texas rigged worms will get 'em, too.
One surefire way to catch a mixed bag of bluegills
and largemouth is to fish with a leech under a
bobber! Plenty of nice bass are present in this lake.
A lot of 14-16 inchers, with the occasional 20+
caught. The bass will hit all summer long! Many
local clubs hold tournaments here, so if you go
during the week, it shouldn't be so chaotic. There
are some hogs in here!
Crappies will keep the kids excited!
The lake is located about 7 miles north of Stanley in
Chippewa County. About a half an hour drive from Chippewa
Falls, 45 minutes from Eau Claire, about 75 minutes from
Rice Lake. The easiest way is to take HWY 29 to Stanley
and head north on CTY H. Watch for boat landing signs.
There is a nice little park with a campground on the north
end of the lake, for those looking to do a little camping. The
lake is pretty underdeveloped, so you have a chance at
spotting various wild animals while out on your fishing
ventures. Have fun with this lake!!! Keep it clean!! And
please remember to be courteous to other fishermen out
here. We'll see you next month!!!!
****Chris Powell*****
Chippewa County. About a half an hour drive from Chippewa
Falls, 45 minutes from Eau Claire, about 75 minutes from
Rice Lake. The easiest way is to take HWY 29 to Stanley
and head north on CTY H. Watch for boat landing signs.
There is a nice little park with a campground on the north
end of the lake, for those looking to do a little camping. The
lake is pretty underdeveloped, so you have a chance at
spotting various wild animals while out on your fishing
ventures. Have fun with this lake!!! Keep it clean!! And
please remember to be courteous to other fishermen out
here. We'll see you next month!!!!
****Chris Powell*****
Bass O'Plenty!!!
Otter Lake, Chippewa County, WI
Average Depth: 11 feet
Max Depth: 44 feet
Fish Species Present: Bluegills, Crappies,
Northern Pike, Walleyes, Largemouth Bass,
Bullheads, Yellow Perch
For a Printable DNR Map of Otter Lake
click here!
Average Depth: 11 feet
Max Depth: 44 feet
Fish Species Present: Bluegills, Crappies,
Northern Pike, Walleyes, Largemouth Bass,
Bullheads, Yellow Perch
For a Printable DNR Map of Otter Lake
click here!
A Barred Owl perching on a fallen tree.