About 10 percent of the black bass population in Carters is made up of largemouth bass. Despite the low numbers, the largemouth caught tend to be of quality size. Most will be just over a pound, but 7-8+ pound fish are certainly not out of the question at Carters.
Technique
Spring largemouth can be enticed with naturally colored jig head finesse worms and later in the year by larger u-tail or ribbon tail plastic worms. The classic pig-n-jig is also a successful largemouth technique in this impoundment.
Target
The lake's steep rocky banks generally provide limited habitat for largemouth. Focus your efforts in the backs of coves, which typically provide the only shallow largemouth habitat in the lake. Target coves with submerged timber or fallen trees.
Spotted bass
Prospect
Spotted bass are the dominant black bass species in Carters. DNR sample data indicate their abundance will remain high in 2011. In addition to good numbers, spotted bass growth at Carters remains excellent. Anglers can expect thick-sided spots around 1 pound to be average, but make no mistake, there are plenty of 4-5 pound (and better!) magnum spots in Carters' deep waters.
Technique
In spring, spots move shallow to spawn. Throw green-pumpkin or other naturally colored jig head finesse worms to catch these actively feeding fish. With the heat of summer, shallow running baits like Pop-R's, Sammy 100's and Scrounger jigs, fished on main lake points are all good early morning techniques. During the daytime heat, slower presentations on deeper (20-40 feet) points and humps are preferred. Try Texas or Carolina rigged plastic worms, or football jigs. Summer nighttime action can be had using diving crankbaits, spinnerbaits and jigs fished parallel to steep banks and points. In fall, cooling water temperatures have spots relating to deep woody debris and schooling shad. Probe these areas with drop-shot rigs tipped with 3-4 inch plastic flukes or ½-¾ ounce jigging spoons. Winter anglers should target schooling spots on steep bluff banks using jigs or float and fly presentations. Find deep (50-60 feet) water holding shad, and spots will be close by. Use your electronics to find shad schools and present jigs, spoons or drop-shot baits to these waiting spots.
Target
In early spring, fish the deeper rocky main lake points. As spring progresses, spots move off the main lake points back into cove areas to spawn. At this time, target gradual sloping banks and coves with pea-gravel substrate. In summer, look for spots holding on deeper (20-40 feet) structure, like brush piles or the 45 plus fish attractors created by the COE and DNR. Spots will again feed aggressively on main lake points and around woody cover with cooling fall temperatures. Winter-time anglers should again target deeper (50-60 ft.) structure and areas with steep rocky banks. Finding schools of shad is key to locating hungry winter time spotted bass.
Hybrid Bass
Prospect
Despite continuous stockings of hybrids over the last seven years, the population size has not yet reached its full potential. Though hybrid numbers remain modest, a relatively strong year class of 4 year old fish in the 4-5 pound range are moderately abundant. Like last year, a few fish larger than 10 pounds will undoubtedly stretch lines this year.
Technique
Trolling artificial baits like u-rigs or crankbaits can be effective, but like stripers, live trout or shad are typically more consistent techniques. Wintertime hybrids may also hit cut fish bait or chicken livers fished on the bottom at near-shore locations. Nighttime fishing during the summer can also be productive. Surface or shallow diving stick baits like Rapalas or Redfins are good nighttime lure choices.
Target
Hybrids are most often found close to schools of shad, which travel throughout the lake. Use your boat’s electronics to locate concentrations of baitfish because hybrids will likely be nearby. In summer, slow trolling down-lines in 20-30 feet of water should produce hybrids. There are also several mid-lake humps located in the lake where hybrids are known to frequent.
Striped Bass
Prospect
Carters striped bass generally range from 1 to 30 pounds in size. The average fish will be 10-15 pounds, with the typical "heavy-weight" tipping scales into the 20-pound size range. While quality fish are present, DNR sample data suggest striped bass abundance will be well-below average this year.
Technique
Live trout, bluegill, gizzard and threadfin shad are all common baits used in the pursuit of stripers at Carters. When water temperatures are below 65 F, balloon rigging or free-lining these live offerings are good techniques to employ. When water temperatures rise above 65 F, live offerings fished on downlines in 20-25 feet of water are recommended.
Target
Striper fishing at Carters is best during the cooler months from October through June. Stripers can be found just about anywhere in the lake, but the area immediately adjacent to the Doll Mountain boat ramp and near the largest island in the Coosawatte River arm of the lake are both perennial hot spots. During the summer months, stripers may be found holding around main lake humps closer to the dam.
Catfish
Prospect
Channel catfish far outnumber flathead catfish at Carters. Channels are typically around 3/4 pounds, while the average flathead is usually 5-8 pounds in size.
Technique
Live or cut shad fished on weighted bottom rigs will produce better sized catfish. Chicken livers, earthworms or catalpa worms are other common options for tapping into Carters’ “whiskered” resources.
Target
Target the cracks and pockets along rocky banks and points found throughout the lake. Often, catfish will hold in deeper (20-30ft.) water just off the sides of main lake points during the summer months. Tangles of fallen logs and trees in the backs of coves are also likely hideouts for catfish.
Crappie
Prospect
Though never overly abundant at Carters, ½ to ¾ pound crappie are typical. Larger individuals will top 1- 1 ½ pounds in size.
Technique
Crappie size minnows (1-2 inches) fished several feet below a bobber or small plastic jigs are recommended for the spring angler. Live minnows or jigs are also used to target crappie on deeper structure outside the spring spawning months.
Target
Focus spring fishing efforts around standing timber, visible in a number of areas throughout the lake, as well as the cover offered under the few boat docks found in the lake. Fish deeper brush piles or other deep lake structure throughout the remainder of the year.
Walleye
Prospect
Some limited natural reproduction of walleye occurs at Carters, but this fishery is primarily driven by yearly DNR stocking of walleye fingerlings. Over the past four years, the walleye stocking rate has been ramped up at Carters. This, in combination with the excellent forage base in the lake, has resulted in tremendous increases in walleye abundance in the reservoir. Fall 2010 sampling conducted by DNR personnel found walleye abundance at Carters was at an all time high. Consequently, walleye should remain abundant in 2011, and anglers can expect the average walleye to be an impressive 19 inches long and two and half pounds in weight! Nine plus pound walleye have been collected from Carters in the very recent past. Given the excellent forage base in Carters, walleye in the ten plus pound range are certainly present in the reservoir.
Technique
Jigging spoons, deep diving crankbaits and live bait such as minnows or night crawlers, fished on 3/8 ounce lead jigs are popular walleye techniques year-round. During the spring spawning run, walleye move shallow and can be caught with shallow running shad or minnow-colored baits. Walleye move deeper (20-30 ft.) in summer. Try slow trolling Lindy rigs baited with night crawlers or minnows, keeping close contact with the lake bottom. With cooling fall water temperatures, walleye become more active, making crankbaits, jerkbaits or jigs good fall walleye options. In winter, the cold water requires slower more persistent techniques be used to catch walleye. Vertically jigging spoons or live minnows fished on the bottom, may tempt sluggish walleye to strike.
Target
During the walleye spawning run (Feb. - Mar.), target rocky shorelines and points in the upper Coosawattee River arm of the lake above Ridgeway boat ramp. After spawning, fish areas with standing main lake timber or long rocky main lake points. As temperatures warm, concentrate on deeper structure where baitfish congregate during summer and fall. In late fall through winter, focus efforts again on rocky points from mid-lake upstream in to the Coosawattee arm of the lake. Regardless of season, night fishing can be a productive approach to catch walleye.
Other Species
Prospect
Yellow bass are present in high numbers, but the species tends to be small. Half pound yellows are abundant, and fish over 1 pound are not uncommon. Anglers are encouraged to harvest yellow bass because this illegal introduction competes with larger, more desirable game fish. Bluegill are also abundant, though most will be less than 6 inches in length.
Technique
Yellow bass can be caught with a host of small in-line lures, especially in April and May. Jigging ¼-½ ounce spoons in and around structure is also an effective approach for catching yellow bass outside the spring months. For bluegill action, a bucket of worms or crickets is all one needs.
Target
Outside of spring, fish for yellow bass near deepwater structure anywhere in the lake. In April and May, spawn-run yellow bass will concentrate in the uppermost reaches of the Coosawattee River Arm of the lake where the river enters. This is a great time to get into some fast and furious yellow bass action on light tackle. For bluegill, the shallows found in the backs of most coves are typical places to find this species lurking just about anytime of the year.
Additional Information
The COE, DNR and local volunteers actively work to improve fish habitat at Carters Lake each year. Anglers can find information about the program, as well as current maps with coordinates for the lake's 45-plus fish attractor sites on the DNR Web Page. Carters Lake is a COE impoundment on the Coosawattee River in northwest Georgia. Lake level, boating, and camping information may be obtained from the COE website at: http://carters.sam.usace.army.mil/ or by calling the Carters Lake project office (ph. 706-334-2248). The only marina on the lake is Carters Lake Marina & Resort. Information about this privately owned facility may be obtained at: http://www.carterslake.com/ or by calling 706-276-4891.
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