Carters Lake Fishing Report – August 2024

Carters: Level: 2.4 feet over 1074. Temp: 85 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Guide Louie Bartenfield, with Carters Lake Guide Service, reports, “Fishing has been slow, but there are still good opportunities during the right feeding window. As we get into August, try to make the most of your fishing time and fish early morning and late evening. I’m spending my time fishing shorter, four- to six-hour days and targeting the fish with the usual offshore topwater, drop shots, jigs and shaky heads in 15 to 35 feet of water on main-lake structure. Historically by late August, we will start noticing the shorter daylight hours and the early morning bite will be even better.”

Guide Robbie Linginfelter, with Carters Lake Guide Service, reports, “Look for the bass fishing at Carters Lake to get better in the coming months. All the fry bait balls are almost gone. This causes the fish to roam and eat more. August is a good time to fish in offshore brushpiles.  Throw topwater, flukes, swimbaits and drop shots over and through these piles. The Big Bite Baits Skinny Stick worm is a great choice for your drop shot.”

Walleye: Guide Eric Crowley, of Lake And Stream Guide Service, reports, “Dog days… not so much on this lake. At least last month wasn’t. We were more on a spring pattern with fish being caught shallow as some random cold fronts pushed through in July, keeping the water temps mild for such a dry summer. The walleye are literally everywhere. We are catching them less than 40 feet deep on points, humps and saddles, and we are catching them deeper, much deeper in some areas, up to 85 feet. The summer spoon bite is always good for a vertical option. Size, color and action are going to vary, so be prepared for lots of window shopping with fish following but not committing. If you have a bite or see fish interested in your spoon on the graph, try dropping another spoon a little smaller or bigger right next to it. The trolling bite has been decent in 40 to 60 feet but really only when bait is around or moving over the structure. They don’t want to chase anything too far. We’ve been getting some fish early before daylight on live alewives fished about 5 feet off the bottom. Find fish and hit them in the face. If they don’t eat, move along. Remember walleye have a very subtle sonar return when they are on bottom.”

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Stripers: Guide Eric Crowley, of Lake And Stream Guide Service, reports, “The striper bite has been better than average. The early morning bite over the Hydroglow lights can be super productive, especially on cloudy days with little to no moonlight. There’s still fish being caught in the 35- to 50-foot zone on live bait. Big alewives, gizzards or some of the giant threadfins we have been catching fished on flatlines and downlines with circle hooks attached to light fluorocarbon leaders will get the bites over heavy gear. If you can’t get the bite with weight, try getting a big bait to swim down on its own. There’s no secret spot since the fish are cruising and looking for good water and easy food. They are moving so much some days that it’s better to just sit still and let them find you. The trolling bite is picking up with Captain Mack’s umbrella rigs. We’ve been getting bit on the Cast Prodigy 4.1 in chartreuse rigged on a 1/2-oz. jig head for trolling in tighter quarters. Right now 3 mph has been the target speed for the most part.”