McCarter Lake Fishing near Marion, Arkansas

• Overview

  Within Crittenden County, Arkansas, you have McCarter Lake. It stands 213 feet above sea level. The water covers some 49 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. It is low-lying compared with other Arkansas water we list. Marion at 3.4 miles is the nearest place to stop. The nearest city of size is Memphis, 6.2 miles away. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on McCarter Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Records held for Crittenden County cover common carp, warmouth and flathead catfish. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Read McCarter Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 81°F in July and bottom out at 38°F in January. The surface stays open the year round. Shade and hour of day matter more than month. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. Expect McCarter Lake to follow that timing. The hour either side of first light is rarely wasted.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. For a change of water, Mosquito Lake is 1.9 miles distant. Confirm before you fish McCarter Lake.