Carters Lake


by Eric Crowley

June signifies the beginning of the good ole summer pattern on Carters .The striped fish are heading a little deeper, feeding early in the day and at night when it’s a little cooler, as well as orienting more on deep structure rather than chasing bait up shallow like they were last month. Some of their favorite spots in June can be the humps, long lake points and the drop-offs by the big island in the mouth of the river.

As far as rigging and techniques go, keep it simple: 1.5 to 2.0 ounce egg sinker, 12 to 17 pound leader about 8 feet long and circle hooks up to a 2/0. Live alewife or threadfin are the go-to bait in the summer time. Watch the sonar looking for schools of fish pinned to the bottom in the 30-60 foot range. You may have to hit them in the face with it a few times, but eventually these fish will eat.

The summer time walleye bite is a night bite, and it’s in full swing. We are catching a few nice fish every week on live baits fished in the 20 to 50 foot range under the Hydro Glow Lights. Live baits on a small hook or live baits fished on a 3/8 ounce yellow, red or white jig head have been the way to go. Keep the baits on the bottom or just off the bottom. For artificials, the best results have been 3 inch spoons in perch color fished on 10 pound braid with a 6 pound leader. Fish in the 4-7 pound class have been the norm.

The spotted bass bite is pretty predictable in June with the fishing not moving very far from key feeding locations throughout the day . They move more up and down then cruising the banks . The big spots are held up in 20-30 feet waiting on the bait schools to come by. If you find a good spot visit is several times throughout the day as it will more then likely have multiple fish holding on it . Live baits on light rods with a single split shot is a perfect option.