Carters Lake Fishing Report August 2026 - Blueprint BassN

The summer bite on Carters Lake is still going strong. Water temperatures are currently ranging from 82–85°F, depending on location and time of day. Despite the warm water, we're continuing to have some really productive days, averaging around 15–30 fish on most trips.

Current Bass Pattern

The majority of the fish we're targeting have moved deep, with productive depths ranging anywhere from 25 to 60 feet.

Brush is still holding fish, although those fish have seen plenty of pressure. They can absolutely be caught, but finding the right brush pile and presenting your bait correctly makes a big difference.

This time of year, I prefer targeting deep suspended fish or searching for less obvious rock structure. Some of my favorite places to look are those sneaky, ultra-deep rock piles in the 45–60 foot range that receive less fishing pressure.

We're catching fish on a variety of techniques, including:

• Heavy jig heads paired with 3"-6" minnows
• Spoons
• Jerkbaits
• Topwater
• Jigs
• Drop shots

Being willing to adjust throughout the day has been important. The depth and presentation the fish want can change as conditions change.

Striper Bite

The stripers are schooling up and looking for bait, which can make for some exciting fishing. When the conditions line up, they'll stay active and feed throughout the morning.

Finding the bait and staying with these schools has been a major part of putting fish in the boat.

Looking Ahead to Fall

We're still dealing with summertime water temperatures, but the seasonal transition isn't far away.

As the days begin getting shorter, the fish will start transitioning toward their fall feeding patterns. Even while water temperatures remain high, those shorter days can help trigger that instinct to feed.

Over the coming weeks, I'm expecting the transition to become increasingly noticeable as we work our way toward the fall feeding frenzy.

If you're looking to learn how to target deep summertime fish, improve your electronics skills, or simply spend a day catching fish on Carters Lake, this is a great time to get on the water.

— Blueprint BassN Guide Service

Ashton Johnson