Carter Lake Fishing in Manitoulin District, Ontario

• Overview

  The Manitoulin District entry here is Carter Lake, in Ontario. It sits at 180 metres above sea level. This is a pocket water of some 6 hectares, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. It is a small entry by Manitoulin District standards. For supplies, Blind River is 39 km out. For a city, Greater Sudbury is 184 km off. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Carter Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Survey and observation records for Manitoulin District include rainbow smelt, lake whitefish, cisco and yellow perch. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Take Carter Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 19°C for July and -8°C for January. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly mid April. Expect the water usable from around mid April until roughly early December. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. On Carter Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. A campsite lies 1.3 km away for anyone staying over. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. For a change of water, West Bass Lake is 4.1 km distant. Nothing here settles the position at Carter Lake for certain.