Cisco (Lake Herring) fishing at Carafel Lake

Start shallow in spring: cisco (lake herring) sit in 10 to 40 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 15 to 50 ft, and by winter most fish are in 15 to 50 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 43 ft that scores prime in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. A vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic covers the summer program.

Yellow Perch fishing at Carafel Lake

Start shallow in spring: yellow perch sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 10 to 30 ft, and by winter most fish are in 15 to 35 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 6 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. A drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm covers the summer program.

Northern Pike fishing at Carafel Lake

Start shallow in spring: northern pike sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. They move out to 8 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 5 to 15 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for spring northern pike. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage gets it done.

Muskellunge fishing at Carafel Lake

Spring muskellunge on Carafel Lake hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. By summer they slide out to 8 to 25 ft, and by winter most fish are in 15 to 35 ft. The spot to know is Break off the point, a drop-off in about 23 ft of water that rates prime for muskellunge in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening and early morning. Summer baits: a double-10 bucktail or a topwater (walk-the-dog / creeper) gets it done.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at Carafel Lake

Start shallow in spring: smallmouth bass sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 10 to 30 ft, and by winter most fish are in 20 to 45 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Main-lake point: a point around 13 ft that scores prime in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig covers the summer program.

Rock Bass fishing at Carafel Lake

In spring, rock bass run shallow here, mostly 2 to 10 ft. By summer they slide out to 5 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 12 to 30 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 13 ft, rated prime for summer rock bass. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening. Tie on a ned rig (small) or a marabou jig and you're in the game.

How deep is Carafel Lake?

Carafel Lake is about 50 ft 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 Carafel Lake?

Anglers target smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, yellow perch, rock bass, cisco (lake herring) on Carafel Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on Carafel Lake?

Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 43 ft of water that rates prime for cisco (lake herring) in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Carafel Lake?

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