Carrollton Recreation Lake in Carroll County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Carroll County, Missouri, is where Carrollton Recreation Lake sits. The surroundings are rolling hill. The water covers some 63 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The full circuit measures close to 1.5 miles on foot. It is the biggest water on our Carroll County list. For supplies, Carrollton is 2.5 miles out. Then Higginsville, 21 miles, and Lexington, 21 miles. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Carrollton Recreation Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Across Carroll County, recorded fish include green sunfish, bluegill, channel catfish, common carp and largemouth bass. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Anyone new to Carrollton Recreation Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 78°F and January near 26°F on the long-run figures. In milder years the surface never sets. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. That is the shape of the year on Carrollton Recreation Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Failing this one, try Johnson Lake, 3.7 miles away. Nothing on Carrollton Recreation Lake should be assumed from this page alone.