Northern Pike fishing at Otter Creek

Spring northern pike on Otter Creek hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. The spot to know is Center Rutland Dam tailrace, a dam tailrace in about 7 ft of water that rates prime for northern pike in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage gets it done.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at Otter Creek

Start shallow in spring: smallmouth bass sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Riffle & run (mile 13.7): a rock pile around 3 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig covers the summer program.

Brown Trout fishing at Otter Creek

Start shallow in spring: brown trout sit in 1 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 1 to 8 ft. The spot to know is Current seam (mile 18.7), a current seam in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for brown trout in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and early morning. Tie on a spoon at the thermocline or a deep stickbait (night) and you're in the game.

Largemouth Bass fishing at Otter Creek

Start shallow in spring: largemouth bass sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Outside-bend hole (mile 4.7): a creek channel around 6 ft that scores prime in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait covers the summer program.

Common Carp fishing at Otter Creek

Spring common carp on Otter Creek hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. Tailout eddy (mile 1.6) is the standout, a eddy pocket at roughly 4 ft, rated prime for winter common carp. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months.

How deep is Otter Creek?

Otter Creek is about 8 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Otter Creek?

Anglers target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, common carp, brown trout on Otter Creek.

Where is the best fishing spot on Otter Creek?

Riffle & run (mile 13.7) is the top-rated area: a rock pile in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Otter Creek?

For northern pike, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.