Yellow Perch fishing at McFarlane Lake

Start shallow in spring: yellow perch sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 28 ft, and winter fish settle into 8 to 28 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring yellow perch. Plan around early morning in the warm months. Summer baits: a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm gets it done.

Northern Pike fishing at McFarlane Lake

Spring northern pike on McFarlane Lake hold shallow, usually 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. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage covers the summer program.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at McFarlane Lake

Spring smallmouth bass on McFarlane Lake hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 28 ft, and winter fish settle into 8 to 28 ft. The spot to know is Shoreline break, a drop-off in about 13 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in winter. Best bite is early morning and the evening. A drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig covers the summer program.

Largemouth Bass fishing at McFarlane Lake

Spring largemouth bass on McFarlane Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 10 ft. By summer they slide out to 8 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 8 to 28 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for largemouth bass in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait gets it done.

Rock Bass fishing at McFarlane 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 8 to 28 ft. Shoreline break is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 13 ft, rated prime for fall rock bass. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening. Summer baits: a ned rig (small) or a marabou jig gets it done.

Pumpkinseed fishing at McFarlane Lake

Start shallow in spring: pumpkinseed sit in 1 to 8 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 2 to 10 ft, and by winter most fish are in 6 to 18 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 3 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening and early morning. Summer baits: a micro tube or a sponge spider (fly) gets it done.

How deep is McFarlane Lake?

McFarlane Lake is about 28 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 McFarlane Lake?

Anglers target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, rock bass, pumpkinseed on McFarlane Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on McFarlane Lake?

Shallow bay flat is the top-rated area: a weed flat in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for yellow perch in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish McFarlane Lake?

For yellow perch, 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.