Saugeye fishing at Charleston Lake

In spring, saugeye run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 4 to 14 ft in summer and finish the year down in 4 to 14 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 10 ft that scores prime in fall. Best bite is the evening and early morning. Summer baits: a crawler harness (shallow) or a jig + crawler gets it done.

White Bass & Hybrids fishing at Charleston Lake

In spring, white bass & hybrids run shallow here, mostly 3 to 14 ft. Summer fish stay in 4 to 14 ft, and winter fish hold in 4 to 14 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 4 ft, rated prime for fall white bass & hybrids. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a jigging spoon or a topwater (when schooling) gets it done.

Channel Catfish fishing at Charleston Lake

Start shallow in spring: channel catfish sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 4 to 14 ft, and by winter most fish are in 4 to 14 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 13 ft that scores prime in winter. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and the evening.

Largemouth Bass fishing at Charleston Lake

Start shallow in spring: largemouth bass sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 4 to 14 ft, and by winter most fish are in 4 to 14 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 4 ft that scores prime in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait gets it done.

Crappie fishing at Charleston Lake

Spring crappie on Charleston Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. By summer they slide out to 4 to 14 ft, and by winter most fish are in 4 to 14 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 13 ft, rated prime for winter crappie. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A jig trolled/spider-rigged or a small crankbait (trolled) covers the summer program.

Bluegill fishing at Charleston Lake

Start shallow in spring: bluegill sit in 1 to 6 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 4 to 14 ft, and winter fish settle into 4 to 14 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.

How deep is Charleston Lake?

Charleston Lake is about 14 ft at its deepest point. The depth chart here comes from real state fisheries GPS surveys, so the contours reflect measured depths.

What fish are in Charleston Lake?

Anglers target largemouth bass, white bass, saugeye, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, white bass & hybrids on Charleston Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on Charleston Lake?

Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 10 ft of water that rates prime for saugeye in fall. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Charleston Lake?

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