Carters Lake Fishing Report – December 2021

Carters: Level: 0.6 feet above 1,074. Temp: 56 degrees. Clarity: 5 feet.

Walleye: Guide Eric Crowley reports, “Carters Lake has finished turning over, and the walleye are moving to feeding grounds. Look for fish in 50 to 70 feet of water on the tree edges laying on the bottom or holding in treetops. They are packing on the pounds for winter, so look for fish near bait. No bait equals no feeding fish. If the fish are not feeding, getting them to eat is gonna be much harder. December is vertical presentation time, so break out the spoons and jigs. I like 5/8- to 1-oz. baits in this deep water. Work the baits right on the fish you’re marking. Give it a few minutes. If they don’t eat, you need to move. You’re not going to catch as many walleye here as other lakes, but they are definitely bigger. Our average fish is about 24 inches, with bigger fish 25 to 26 inches not being uncommon.”  

Stripers: Guide Eric Crowley reports, “The striper bite has been decent, with some quality-sized fish being caught on planers early in the morning and downlines after sunup. With the water being clear, light line and small hooks are going to be to your advantage. Look for fish in Worley Creek, around the big island and near the beach. I like my baits 50 to 60 feet behind my boards, and currently we are fishing downlines 40 to 60 feet deep. Live shad, trout or big shiners are good bait choices right now. Dress warm, and we will see you on the water.”