Carp

McCool Junction offers some surprisingly good carp fishing, particularly in the area's small lakes and reservoirs. These waters, often overlooked, hold some real behemoths. Spring and early summer, when the carp are spawning, are prime times. Look for them in shallow, weedy areas. Chumming with corn a day or two before you fish can really concentrate the fish. Access can be tricky, as many areas are private. Do your research and get permission where needed. A good starting point is the public access area on the south side of the main reservoir. Locals often use simple hair-rig setups with boilies or corn, so consider stocking up at the local bait shop for the inside scoop on what's working best right now. Be patient, these fish can be wary, but the reward of landing a double-digit carp is well worth the effort.