Blue Catfish fishing at Carlyle 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. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months.

Bluegill fishing at Carlyle Lake

Spring bluegill on Carlyle Lake hold shallow, usually 1 to 6 ft. By summer they slide out to 4 to 15 ft, and by winter most fish are in 10 to 25 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 4 ft, rated prime for spring bluegill. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A small sponge spider (fly) or a micro tube jig covers the summer program.

Channel Catfish fishing at Carlyle Lake

Spring channel catfish on Carlyle Lake hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 8 to 25 ft in summer and finish the year down in 11 to 35 ft. The spot to know is Brewster Creek inflow, a inflow / creek mouth in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for channel catfish in spring. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.

Crappie fishing at Carlyle Lake

Spring crappie on Carlyle Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. By summer they slide out to 10 to 25 ft, and by winter most fish are in 15 to 35 ft. Old creek channel is the standout, a creek channel at roughly 18 ft, rated prime for fall crappie. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a jig trolled/spider-rigged or a small crankbait (trolled) gets it done.

Flathead Catfish fishing at Carlyle Lake

In spring, flathead catfish run shallow here, mostly 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. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and the evening.

Largemouth Bass fishing at Carlyle Lake

Spring largemouth bass on Carlyle Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 10 ft. They move out to 8 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 15 to 35 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for largemouth bass in spring. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait and you're in the game.

How deep is Carlyle Lake?

Carlyle 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 Carlyle Lake?

Anglers target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, white bass, sauger, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, striped bass, white bass & hybrids, flathead catfish, blue catfish on Carlyle Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on Carlyle 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 Carlyle 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.