Otter Tail Country Tourism

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year - filled with family, friends, and great food for most of us.

Those of us lucky to live in or near Otter Tail Country are blessed with many things - great weather, beautiful countryside, nice people. Unemployment levels are low, the economy is recovering, and life is good as far as we can tell.

We were also lucky to have some unseasonably warm temperatures, helping to melt some of the snow we got last week. It's been beautiful - and we can't get enough of it!

The only downfall of the warm weather is maybe pushing back the timeline for safe ice for all our great ice fishing fanatics, but I think another nice weekend to get their gear and ice houses together and ready were much appreciated.

Before long, we'll be back on the lakes and chasing the fish that have been growing hungry all fall. We wish them luck.

We hope you all had a great Thanksgiving weekend, and got family time in - and maybe even a little shopping - while enjoying the weather and holiday season.

-Al, Otter Tail Country Tourism Team

Labels: fall, holiday, thankful, thanks, thanksgiving, warm, weather, winter

The Minnesota have finally released their head coach, Brad Childress.

This comes after a disheartening loss to their rivals, the Green Bay Packers (31-3).

Childress had never been a fan favorite, but he led the team to better records each of his years in Minnesota.

Defensive Coordinator Leslie Frazier will be taking over as interim head coach this week against the Washington Redskins.

Al, Otter Tail Country Tourism Team

Labels: football, Minnesota, Vikings

Today I drove across the state of Minnesota (from Fargo, ND to Minneapolis-St. Paul) to go to yet another Minnesota Vikings game this season.

The seasons are about to change again, from fall to winter. It's amazing how pretty our state is, even with all our trees bare of leaves, farm fields cleared of their fall crops, and lakes, sloughs, and ponds starting to get frozen over.

The geese are trying to get out of Minnesota before the nasty weather comes, which is something we can all appreciate. We saw way fewer deer than a usual trip across the state, tired of being chased by hunters. Soon, they'll be back in the fields during the day as they grow bolder realizing that there isn't much to be afraid of.

We'd like to remind everyone in Otter Tail Country and beyond to be careful this winter - it's easy for accidents to happen when road conditions get slippery.

Enjoy this winter - there's always plenty to do in Otter Tail Country.

-Al, Otter Tail Country Tourism Team

Labels: fall, otter tail country, seasons, weather, winter

An Elizabeth, MN woman shot a rather large white tailed deer in Maplewood State Park, located in the heart of Otter Tail Country, last weekend - proving that Minnesota is home to more than just great fishing.



Kellie Carrol, a senior at Kennedy Secondary School, was drawn in a lottery for a license to hunt in the park.

Carrol said the spot they planned to hunt was already taken when they arrived at the state park - but luckily for them, they settled for another area that was available when they saw this monster.

We love to see people enjoying Otter Tail Country - there's always something to do.

See the entire story over at the Fergus Falls Daily Journal

-Al, Otter Tail Country Tourism Team

Labels: deer, hunting, maplewood, maplewood state park, outdoors

Last week we reminded you to take extra precautions while out hunting deer this fall.

Fargo, ND's newspaper website, Inforum.com, reports a 38 year old man from Spring Lake Park has died due to injuries from a self inflicted gunshot wound while deer hunting in Otter Tail County this weekend.

Hunting and fishing, two of Minnesota's most loved sports, are actually two of the safest out there. There are more injuries from power walking than either hunting or fishing, but we have to remember that accidents can happen.

While we're talking about this subject, we need to continue to remember to wear life jackets while out fishing this fall. Fishing has been hot, and there are fishermen out there taking advantage. Most life preservers aren't meant to be worn underneath a winter jacket, so you'll have to accomodate accordingly.

Al, Otter Tail Country Tourism Team

Labels: deer, fall, fishing, hunting, november, reminders, safety, tips

Most people think of lakes, fishing, or snowmobiling when they think of Minnesota and Otter Tail Country - but you can also come to see some exciting prep football.

The Ottertail Central varsity football team won an exciting game at the Fargodome in Fargo, ND over Pelican Rapids on Saturday, with a score of 21-6. Defense played a huge role in the game, helping the Bulldogs improve to 12-0 on the year.

They'll play in the semi-finals next week at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.

We wish them luck as they continue on in the Minnesota state football tournament!

See game stats at the Inforum.com website.

Al, Otter Tail Country Tourism Team

Labels: fall, football, high school, otter tail county, support

I found a website that any of you outdoors-people would enjoy - FishFever.com. This site posts new pictures and videos of fishing (most recently it was a deer harvested in the Minnesota state deer season opener)with tips and tricks to help you become a better fisherman - as well as a good way to get inspired to get out and fish.

The site is run by a Minnesota fishing guide service, so if you're looking for some assistance in finding fish, they can help you too.

Take a look and let us know what you think - maybe you can enter your own fishing video to be featured on the site!

-Al, Otter Tail Country Tourism Team

Labels: fishing, fishing tips, lakes, lakes country, Minnesota, otter tail country, otter tail county

I checked the Inforum website (the online version of Fargo, ND's newspaper, The Forum) after returning from my own deer hunting trip (unfortunately not in Otter Tail County, but Western North Dakota) to see news of not one, but three accidents in Otter Tail County during deer hunting's opening weekend.

Only one accident was gun related - a young hunter shot himself in the foot accidentally when seeing a deer. The other two accidents involved faulty tree stands, in which hunters wait on a platform in a tree. The bottoms of the wooden platforms broke or gave out, resulting in injuries from hunters falling to the ground.

We here at Otter Tail Country would like to remind you all to be careful in your outdoors endeavors - and these hunting mishaps are a great reminder as to how important safety is.

Read the full article here.

Labels: fall, hunting, news, otter tail country, otter tail county, safety

A recent report from the Minnesota Employment and Economic Development (DEED)shows that the economy in Otter Tail County is very strong, and getting stronger. Unemployment rates dropped .3%, from 7.5 to 7.2%.

They credit the drops in unemployment to seasonal work such as construction and jobs in the resort and lodging industries as reasons the employment levels are so high.

Also noted in the article was the fact that the Fargo, ND/Moorhead, MN economy is strong - this has a real impact on the lakes country economy.

See the full article here.

Al, Otter Tail Country Tourism Team

Labels: economy, hotels, jobs, lakes, lakes country, lodging, news, resorts

Well last week at this time we were fearing the worst - winter was here, in full force. Storms bad enough to be considered in-land hurricaines ripped through the midwest.

Tonight? I have windows open. Unbelievable! The change in just a week is unreal. This weekend should have some great weather for Otter Tail Country, just in time for deer hunting opener - a state holiday in some areas.

We need to cherish these warm, late fall nights. We don't get these every year. If you're lucky enough to be at the lake, soak it in.

Al, Otter Tail Country Tourism team

Labels: fall, lakes, lakes country, otter tail country, weather