McCarter Lake is a reservoir in Montana, near Toole County.
McCarter Lake is a reservoir in Toole County, Montana.
Without a dependable size figure for McCarter Lake, weeds, rock, water color, and nearby depth are the best starting clues.
Across the clearer side of the nearest cove, the fish mix here is not confirmed, so check fresh local information before choosing a target or keeping a catch.
Across the inside edge of a flooded tree line, begin with one slow bottom presentation and one moving bait, then let bites show whether fish are holding close to cover or roaming open water.
Beside the sheltered edge of a gravel shelf, start where two things meet: weeds and open water, rock and mud, a point and a drop, or clear water and dirty water; fish that edge at more than one depth before leaving it.
Across the calm side of a deep bend, in spring, start with warming banks, creek mouths, and shallow cover; summer usually pushes the better bite toward the outside weed edge or a nearby drop; fall can bring bait back to windblown points, while winter calls for smaller moves and a slower pace.
Around the calm side of a channel turn, a medium spinning rod, 8-pound line, a small box of jigs, a few crankbaits, and a simple bottom rig cover most situations; change depth or speed before changing every piece of tackle.
Beside the lower edge of the nearest cove, record the wind, water color, depth that produced twice, and cover after a bite; those four notes are more useful on the next trip than a long list of spots that did not produce.
Explore nearby waters, including local Featured destinations. Check each page for access and fishing restrictions.
Distances are straight-line estimates between mapped water locations.