Does north wind work at Ottertail

[tom_latcham]

Ottertail looks very good on Friday But I have never kited at Ottertail. Where is a good launch for north winds.
TL

[windthrash]

I haven't done Ottertail, but I do know that just across 10 in Perham, Little Pine is really nice on a north.... A bit smaller, but nice. You can get to it on the main road that exits Perham on the east side. There is a boat launch right off the road, and nice shallows all the way across the south end of the lake.

[markjohnson]

Ottertail is awesome, almost always windy. Call me or Ed Jansen, we have launch areas covered for any wind direction. My cell is 651-357-3800. I am there every weekend.

[efjanssen]

Obviously kiters or boarders are always welcome at mine or Mark's place. If you prefer, there is a public boat launch on the NE corner of the lake off of 78 that will work for anything that does not have an east in it. There is plenty of room to set up. There is also a public launch on the north end of the lake off of cnty road #1. It is not as good of a set up but will work for anything that does not have a north in it. There is some open lake shore on the sw end of the lake that looks good for anything with an east in it, but I think it is private property.

What we like about the lake is that the water is clean and cool - never any itch or bugs. The bottom is hard sand. There are no weeds to hinder self-launches. It is shallow for up to a 1/2 mile from shore. And the wind does blow!

Plus there is great road riding right out my door, or mtn bike riding 50 minutes away at Maplelag for those calm days.

Ed
612-619-3397

[tom_latcham]

Thanks for the info and phone numbers. Ottertail sounds like a great place to kite. I hope to try it out sometime. Before I got laid off last month I used to travel to Fargo and Alexandria several times a year. I could have just tossed my kite stuff in with my parts and tools and combined some pleasure with my travel. I will give you guys a call if need to travel up your way to find wind. Minnesota kiters really are Minnesota nice. PS Jim and his family that run the Maplelag are great. Fun place to cross country ski. Have not had a chance to get back up since they rebuilt the main lodge after the fire. I need to do that some time.
Thanks again
TL

[efjanssen]

Hey Tom:

Just curious - did you catch any wind at OT?

Ed

[tom_latcham]

Hi Ed
Thanks for letting us launch and camp at your nice spot. Got two days of riding. I had to use a big kite and big board. But it was the best wind in the state. You are lucky to have such a nice spot. If a big lull hits. No need to do a down winder. Just hop off the board and stand untill the next gust. Nice waves in the gusts for boosting off. Nice clean water and hard sand bottom. Looks like the best winds in the state may be at Ottertail this weekend again. Had a nice dinner at the otter bar. Breakfast at Betty's. Thanks for the tips.
Tom Latcham

[efjanssen]

Glad to hear you got some riding in. It is a nice lake and launch. For what it is worth, I will be heading up Saturday AM for the weekend. The forecast calls for big kite wind all three days. If anyone is up in the area, feel free to give me or Mark a call.

Ed

[JRN]

How is the boat traffic up there, Ed? Is it very busy on a holiday weekend? I've never tried OT, but it sounds sweet. I windsurfed Lake Lida a few light years ago. Nice country! I'll give you a warning shot if we decide to head up. Jim N.

[efjanssen]

There is not any boat traffic to speak of, especially on the windy side of the lake.

Again, feel free to stop on by if you are in our part of the state. It sounds like my nephew Joe will be out this weekend which is always fun.

Ed