Carters Lake Fishing Report – March 2020

Carters: Level: 6.8 feet above full pool. Temp: 51 degrees. Clarity: Stained.

Bass: Guide Bill Payne reports, “We’ve had more than enough high water to make fishing fairly tough. Many times in the high and stained waters, there are opportunities for there to be some great shallow fishing on moving baits, like spinnerbaits, ChatterBaits and crankbaits. We’ve seen a little bit of that recently. Mostly though, fish are very scattered. We are seeing the lake level fall quickly as the COE has been able to increase release at the dam. As we move into the month of March, the water level should continue to fall unless the heavy rains stay with us. More spring-like temperatures and clearing water will give us one last glimpse of the deep, prespawn bite but quickly transition to a shallower bite in the ditches and deeper pockets as the spotted bass begin to move into staging areas. Also, more fish will move up onto points and flatter areas where shaky heads, Neko rigs and even jigs will continue to work. Look back into the bigger creeks on secondary points as warmer weather moves in. With the right conditions, like some wind or light rain, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits and ChatterBaits will come into play. We could get more heavily stained water conditions, and moving baits could produce some of the biggest catches of the year. March is normally our month of transition where we can see the biggest changes in fish movement and depends a lot on our spring weather. From the first of the month until the last of the month, there can be a drastic change in how you will catch the fish. All this means to us as fishermen is to keep an open mind and be prepared to start the month deeper and then move shallow as the fish move, and that’s just normal for March fishing at Carters Lake.”

Linesides: Guide Eric Crowley reports, “I don’t care what the weatherman says, it’s spring. The stripe fish are moving but still pretty deep most days. We are easing into spring with planers and flatlines, but the downline rods are still a must. I keep one at 30 and one at 50 feet at all times. I tend to fish fast until I see a more promising areas, and then I slow down and let the fish have a chance to make their move. We fish long banks between pockets where the bait is. Both hybrids and stripers will use these areas to push bait against structure.

Walleye: Guide Eric Crowley reports, “The walleye bite is getting better all the time. We like to target them with live and artificials early in the season. Daybreak until 9:30 a.m. is about the best time of the day to try to find active fish. Until the water warms up, I won’t be doing much night fishing. Target rocky points with any kind of current. Even the mildest amount of moving water can hold schools of fish right now. Stay warm and good luck out there.”