Lake Catherine
RECEIVE FISHING REPORT UPDATES!
Rating - Very_Good
Wednesday, Apr 08 2026
Lake Catherine Tailwater (Below Carpenter Dam)For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro(updated 4-2-2026) The spring refill of both lakes Hamilton and Catherine is complete. Water temperature below the dam has risen to 56 degrees with clear conditions from the dam to the bridge. All loading ramps in the Carpenter Dam tailrace are available and safe to launch boats in current and slack water conditions. Now that the lake is back at normal summertime pool, the rainbow trout bite is much more consistent. Despite the lack of numbers, trout are being caught from the bank and boat using nightcrawlers and redworms fished just off the bottom with a marshmallow floater. Rainbows are chasing threadfin shad, which is a main forage item in the tailrace. Casting jigs in a 1/16- and -ounce size around rock structure and sandbars in times of generation has taken limits of trout over the past week.The walleye spawn is in full gear in the tailrace as male walleye have prepared the beds for the larger females since mid-February. These fish are spawning from the bridge to the dam on both banks and can be found by trolling shallow-running crankbaits that imitate shad or crawfish. Walleye in the 3- to 5-pound range have been caught using this method this past week. Tipping a jig head with a live minnow has proven to be effective in the deeper water around the bridge. These fish will be in the tailrace through the month of May and can provide anglers with exciting action in addition to some fine table fare. Late March marks the beginning of the crappie migration to the dam for their yearly spawn. Jigs and live minnows will be the ticket to success in catching numbers of these fish as they congregate around sandbars and rock structure. Hopefully, the crappie and white bass spawn will give anglers an opportunity to catch fish and somewhat make up for the huge void created by the lack of quality numbers of trout stocked in the lake due to major losses last year at two trout hatcheries. Catfish will migrate into the tailrace in early June to spawn, and these fish will greatly add to the chances of fishing success on Lake Catherine. As always, people visiting the Carpenter Dam Park must obey all rules and regulations and cooperate with law enforcement officials when asked.
Wednesday, Apr 08 2026
Weather Report
Lake Catherine WeatherAccess Info
Although thery may be others but anglers can expect to find a variety of fish including Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Striped Bass and Walleye in Lake Catherine. Other fish species in the lake include Bream, Crappie and Spotted Bass.Click here to unsubcribe from your fishing reports.
Lake Catherine
RECEIVE FISHING REPORT UPDATES!
Rating - Very_Good
Lake Catherine Tailwater (Below Carpenter Dam)For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro(updated 4-2-2026) The spring refill of both lakes Hamilton and Catherine is complete. Water temperature below the dam has risen to 56 degrees with clear conditions from the dam to the bridge. All loading ramps in the Carpenter Dam tailrace are available and safe to launch boats in current and slack water conditions. Now that the lake is back at normal summertime pool, the rainbow trout bite is much more consistent. Despite the lack of numbers, trout are being caught from the bank and boat using nightcrawlers and redworms fished just off the bottom with a marshmallow floater. Rainbows are chasing threadfin shad, which is a main forage item in the tailrace. Casting jigs in a 1/16- and -ounce size around rock structure and sandbars in times of generation has taken limits of trout over the past week.The walleye spawn is in full gear in the tailrace as male walleye have prepared the beds for the larger females since mid-February. These fish are spawning from the bridge to the dam on both banks and can be found by trolling shallow-running crankbaits that imitate shad or crawfish. Walleye in the 3- to 5-pound range have been caught using this method this past week. Tipping a jig head with a live minnow has proven to be effective in the deeper water around the bridge. These fish will be in the tailrace through the month of May and can provide anglers with exciting action in addition to some fine table fare. Late March marks the beginning of the crappie migration to the dam for their yearly spawn. Jigs and live minnows will be the ticket to success in catching numbers of these fish as they congregate around sandbars and rock structure. Hopefully, the crappie and white bass spawn will give anglers an opportunity to catch fish and somewhat make up for the huge void created by the lack of quality numbers of trout stocked in the lake due to major losses last year at two trout hatcheries. Catfish will migrate into the tailrace in early June to spawn, and these fish will greatly add to the chances of fishing success on Lake Catherine. As always, people visiting the Carpenter Dam Park must obey all rules and regulations and cooperate with law enforcement officials when asked.
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