Carters Lake Fishing Report – June 2006

Level: Full pool. Temp: Mid 60 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Cool weather, a strong algae bloom, and significant back-pumping have combined to turn the usual Carters bass pattern upside down, said Buddy Callahan at Bart’s Bait & Tackle. “They have been back-pumping until about 7 a.m., and then pumping in the afternoon, which should make for a good evening bite,” said Buddy. “But the morning bite has been a lot stronger.” The fish are still shallow and are hitting spinnerbaits, brightly colored, shallow-running crankbaits and worms. “If the water temperature was 70 degrees, the fish would have pulled off the bank into deep brush,” said Buddy. “Since the water temperature dropped, the fish are still holding on the banks.”

Stripers/Hybrids: Striper fishing has been off, but the hybrids have been hitting both live bait and umbrella rigs, says Buddy. “Pull live bait or umbrella rigs about half way back in the creeks in water 10- to 15-feet deep,” said Buddy. “The hybrids will take small gizzard shad under an umbrella or on a planer board, too.” Buddy recently caught a 5.6-lb. hybrid at Carters that has been posted as the lake record. “There have been bigger ones caught, but maybe this will generate some interest in the record,” he said.

Bream: “The bream are on the bed,” said Buddy. “We have sold out of crickets several times.” Look for bream beds in the back of the creeks and coves and throw crickets or red wigglers under a float.

Walleye: There are a few anglers at Carters targeting and catching walleye out on the main lake, according to Buddy. “They tend to be pretty secretive about how they are catching them,” he said. Nightcrawlers on the bottom, or nightcrawlers at night under crappie lights on main-lake points is reportedly a good way to catch the fish. “Some of the bass fishermen have been catching walleye on crankbaits on the bank,” said Buddy. “The shad are up on rocky banks spawning, and that is helping hold the bass and the walleye up shallow.”