Carter Lake fishing

Fishing at Carter Lake has Northern Pike on the stocking report. It is stocked about 1.1 times a year since 1984, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk as the active times.

Last stocked

May 14, 1991

Plants on record

9

Since 1984

Species recorded

1

Surface acres

59.8

Access and facts

Boat ramp
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms

A DNR-listed public boating access site with 1 launch lane serves the lake. Administered by Yankee Springs State Recreation Area; a Recreation Passport is required. 1 toilet on site.

Sources: access , shore_notes , facilities , access.fee

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How Carter Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the third week of May. In 1991 it was May 14, 1991, about when it usually is.

About 2,260 reported fish per acre, 2nd most of 10 lakes in Barry County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Thornapple Lake (7 mi), Dagget Lake (8.6 mi), Guernsey Lake (9.6 mi), and Gun Lake (11.7 mi) were stocked more recently. Thornapple Lake is also stocked with Northern Pike and Gun Lake is also stocked with Northern Pike.

Fish at Carter Lake

Fishing Carter Lake is most likely to be for Northern Pike. All 9 plants on record are Northern Pike.

Around the dates Carter Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 58.8°F in May, 46.5°F in April, 69.4°F in June. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Northern Pike 9 plants
Plants
9 of 9
Last stocked
May 14, 1991

Seasons and rigs are on the Northern Pike guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 7001984
  • 9001985
  • 7001986
  • 5001987
  • 129,7381988
  • 4001989
  • 7001990
  • 1,5001991

Stocking history

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 14, 1991 Northern Pike 1,500 – report
May 14, 1990 Northern Pike 700 – report
May 30, 1989 Northern Pike 400 – report
May 12, 1988 Northern Pike 700 – report
April 20, 1988 Northern Pike 129,038 – report
May 15, 1987 Northern Pike 500 – report
May 28, 1986 Northern Pike 700 – report
May 13, 1985 Northern Pike 900 – report
June 4, 1984 Northern Pike 700 – report

Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

Nearest lakes