Walleye fishing at Charley

Start shallow in spring: walleye sit in 4 to 15 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 6 to 21 ft, and winter fish settle into 6 to 21 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shoreline break: a drop-off around 9 ft that scores prime in fall. Best bite is the evening and early morning. A crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) covers the summer program.

Yellow Perch fishing at Charley

In spring, yellow perch run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 6 to 21 ft, and winter fish settle into 6 to 21 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring yellow perch. Best bite is early morning. Tie on a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm and you're in the game.

Northern Pike fishing at Charley

In spring, northern pike run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 20 ft, and winter fish settle into 5 to 15 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring northern pike. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage and you're in the game.

Crappie fishing at Charley

In spring, crappie run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. They move out to 6 to 21 ft in summer and finish the year down in 6 to 21 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 18 ft, rated prime for winter 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.

Bluegill fishing at Charley

Spring bluegill on Charley hold shallow, usually 1 to 6 ft. By summer they slide out to 4 to 15 ft, and by winter most fish are in 6 to 21 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 3 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.

Brown Bullhead fishing at Charley

In spring, brown bullhead run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 3 to 12 ft, and winter fish settle into 6 to 21 ft. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 18 ft of water that rates prime for brown bullhead in winter. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.

How deep is Charley?

Charley is about 21 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 Charley?

Anglers target walleye, northern pike, crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, common carp, brown bullhead on Charley.

Where is the best fishing spot on Charley?

Shoreline break is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 9 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in fall. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Charley?

For walleye, 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.