Cisco (Lake Herring) fishing at Otter Tail River (Red River)

Start shallow in spring: cisco (lake herring) sit in 10 to 40 ft that time of year. They move out to 17 to 55 ft in summer and finish the year down in 17 to 55 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 47 ft that scores prime in summer. Plan around early morning in the warm months. Tie on a vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic and you're in the game.

Walleye fishing at Otter Tail River (Red River)

Spring walleye on Otter Tail River (Red River) hold shallow, usually 4 to 15 ft. They move out to 15 to 35 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 40 ft. The spot to know is Main-lake point, a point in about 14 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in fall. Plan around the evening and early morning in the warm months. Summer baits: a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) gets it done.

Yellow Perch fishing at Otter Tail River (Red River)

Spring yellow perch on Otter Tail River (Red River) hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 10 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 15 to 35 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 6 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is early morning. A drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm covers the summer program.

Northern Pike fishing at Otter Tail River (Red River)

Start shallow in spring: northern pike sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 20 ft, and winter fish settle into 5 to 15 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for northern pike in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage and you're in the game.

Largemouth Bass fishing at Otter Tail River (Red River)

Start shallow in spring: largemouth bass sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. They move out to 8 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 15 to 35 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for spring largemouth bass. Best bite is early morning and the evening. A texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait covers the summer program.

Rock Bass fishing at Otter Tail River (Red River)

Start shallow in spring: rock bass sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 5 to 20 ft, and winter fish settle into 12 to 30 ft. The spot to know is Main-lake point, a point in about 14 ft of water that rates prime for rock bass in summer. Best bite is the evening. Summer baits: a ned rig (small) or a marabou jig gets it done.

How deep is Otter Tail River (Red River)?

Otter Tail River (Red River) is about 55 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 Tail River (Red River)?

Anglers target largemouth bass, walleye, northern pike, crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, common carp, burbot, rock bass, cisco (lake herring), pumpkinseed, brown bullhead on Otter Tail River (Red River).

Where is the best fishing spot on Otter Tail River (Red River)?

Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 47 ft of water that rates prime for cisco (lake herring) in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Otter Tail River (Red River)?

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