Blue Catfish fishing at Canton Lake

In spring, blue catfish run shallow here, mostly 5 to 25 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 9 to 35 ft, and winter fish settle into 11 to 35 ft. The spot to know is Old creek channel, a creek channel in about 18 ft of water that rates prime for blue catfish in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening.

Bluegill fishing at Canton Lake

In spring, bluegill run shallow here, mostly 1 to 6 ft. They move out to 4 to 15 ft in summer and finish the year down in 10 to 25 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 4 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a small sponge spider (fly) or a micro tube jig and you're in the game.

Channel Catfish fishing at Canton Lake

Start shallow in spring: channel catfish sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 8 to 25 ft, and by winter most fish are in 11 to 35 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Creek inflow: a inflow / creek mouth around 4 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and the evening.

Common Carp fishing at Canton Lake

Spring common carp on Canton Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 10 ft. By summer they slide out to 3 to 15 ft, and by winter most fish are in 10 to 30 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 4 ft, rated prime for spring common carp. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months.

Crappie fishing at Canton Lake

In spring, crappie run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. They move out to 10 to 25 ft in summer and finish the year down in 15 to 35 ft. Old creek channel is the standout, a creek channel at roughly 18 ft, rated prime for fall crappie. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Tie on a jig trolled/spider-rigged or a small crankbait (trolled) and you're in the game.

Flathead Catfish fishing at Canton Lake

Spring flathead catfish on Canton Lake hold shallow, usually 5 to 20 ft. They move out to 8 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 11 to 35 ft. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 30 ft of water that rates prime for flathead catfish in fall. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.

How deep is Canton Lake?

Canton Lake is about 35 ft (11 m) deep at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Canton Lake?

Anglers target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, white bass, sauger, northern pike, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, muskellunge, striped bass, white bass & hybrids, flathead catfish, blue catfish, common carp on Canton Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on Canton Lake?

Old creek channel is the top-rated area: a creek channel in about 18 ft of water that rates prime for blue catfish in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Canton Lake?

For blue catfish, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.