Carters Lake Fishing Report – February 2025

Carters: Level: 5.2 feet below 1074. Temp: 43 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Guide Robbie Linginfelter, with Carters Lake Guide Service, reports, “Grab the jigs and swimbaits. February is a great month to target big spotted bass. The ditch bite this time of year can produce some of the largest spotted bass you will see all year. Target depth ranges from 10 to 30 feet in the pockets. The month of February and March are two of the best months to catch a 5-lb.-plus spotted bass. This time of year can sometimes call for some slow, methodical fishing. But if you lock your favorite jig in your hands, you are bound to catch the giant spot we are all dreaming of. Fishing the bottom with a little swimbait is another great technique to try.”

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Walleye: Guide Eric Crowley, of Lake And Stream Guide Service, reports, “January was nothing less than stellar for the walleye fishing on this lake. As the temps on the surface cool, the fish head deep looking for more stable water temps, and this makes them a great target for trolling and jigging. This multi-tactic attack has landed limit after limit of quality, prespawn fish in the past few weeks. Depending on where you’re fishing, you need to hit them in the face with a bait. If they are willing to chase a bait, trolling is the way to go. If the fish are pinned to the bottom of the lake, then switch to a vertical presentation and pound away. The walleye have been typical big Carters fish ranging from 21 to 26 inches with a steady mix of male and females. This let’s you fish some big baits alongside your standard size walleye stuff. These baits will draw the attention of the local striper population, as well. The stripers have been cruising the creeks smashing schools of bait in the 35- to 55-foot range early in the morning and then moving out to the main-lake points and creek mouths after the sun gets up in the sky. Live bait is always a good option if they won’t respond to the artificials. Another option is the Captain Mack’s umbrella rigs and Mini Mack rigs pulled 150 feet back.”