South Carolina Freshwater Fishing Trends - 7/7/2008

Fishing trends courtesy www.SCFishingReport.com. Check the site for recent updates and detailed reports.

Mountains Area
Lake Jocassee:

• Largemouth Bass: Good, casting Carolina-rigged worms, and topwater plugs with slow retrieve. Also in early morning drifting minnows off shallow points.
• Trout: Fair, trolling early in the day in 40 to 65 feet water with Sutton spoons, Doctor spoons and Apex spoons. Also try drifting large minnows early in the morning in 40 feet of water.
• Black Bass: Excellent. Early morning the best action is coming on topwater lures until the sun gets high around 9 or 10 a.m. Areas that have rocks and some wood seem to be most productive, and the hot lure remains dark swamp crawler green pumpkin Zoom trick worms.

Lake Keowee:

• Largemouth Bass: Good, casting Carolina-rigged worms, crankbaits and jerk baits to the banks around brush. Also, some schooling activity has been reported. Most productive time to catch fish is at night.
• Crappie: Good, using small minnows and jigs in 20 to 25 feet of water around brush piles and bridge pilings.
• Bream: Good. Fish live crickets, minnows, and worms in 5 to 15 feet of water.

Lake Hartwell:

• Striped and Hybrid Bass: Good, using live herring with down-rods in deep water around river channels 15 to 30 feet deep. Also trolling jigs off points. Visit the Lake Hartwell message board at SCFishingReport.com for more.
• Largemouth Bass: Very good. In the early morning use topwater lures along points and as the sun gets higher switch to shaky head worms and Carolina rigs in 20 to 30 feet of water.
• Bream: Fair, using redworms and crickets around brush piles and in covers.

Piedmont Area
Lake Russell:

• Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Good. Overall the topwater bite has been strong first thing, and then later anglers are having to fish deep around the trees. Try Carolina Rigging or fishing finesse worms in 15 to 20 feet of water, and green pumpkinseed and purple worms are good choices, as is watermelon color.
• Crappie: Fair. There are reports of decent numbers of crappie being caught trolling up Beaverdam Creek in the late evening.
• Catfish: Good, using cut bait and nightcrawlers on the bottom.
• Bream: Excellent, using red wigglers, pinks, crickets and nightcrawlers around bridge pilings.

Lake Thurmond:

• Striped and Hybrid Bass: Very good. Striper fishing in 45 feet of water under the 378 bridge is very strong using live herring.
• Largemouth Bass: Very Good, casting plastic worms. Also, try Little Cleos and spinnerbaits. Good catches with deep-running Rebels and ShadRaps. Bass are beginning to bed.
• Crappie: Good. Look for brush in 20 to 25 feet of water; minnows are producing better than jigs.
• Shellcracker: Excellent. Target shellcracker using red worms, pink worms, and crickets.

Lake Wylie:

• Largemouth Bass: Good, casting bass jigs and medium-running crankbaits along points close to the bottom. Striped Bass: Good, using spoons and bucktails behind Lake Wylie dam.
• White Bass: Good, casting small bucktails and spoons.
• White Perch: Good. Fish in 18-24 feet of water next to river channels and look for sandy bottoms. Use a minnow or small spoon lowered to the bottom and then bumped slowly; crickets will also work.
• Shellcracker: Good, using redworms and crickets on the bottom.
• Catfish: Good. Use mussels, shrimp, and stinkbaits.

Midlands Area
Lake Greenwood:

• Largemouth Bass: From very early until 8 a.m. topwaters and floating worms are productive fished around blocks walls, drops, and riprap.
• Striped Bass: Fair. A few anglers are catching fish with bucktail jigs trolled in 30 feet of water.
• Crappie: Fair, using small to medium minnows and mini jigs over brush in 12 - 15 feet of water. Night fishing for crappie is the best.
• Catfish: Good, using redworms with a standard hook, line, sinker and cork in 6 - 8 feet of water.
• Bream: Good to very good. The fish are bedding and can be caught using crickets and worms fished in 3-5 feet around docks and tree tops.

Lake Wateree:

• Largemouth Bass: Fair, casting to the bank with deep-running crankbaits and plastic. A few bass have been caught on buzzbaits late in the afternoon.
• Catfish: Very good. Creek mouths where the creeks meet the main river channel are great places to anchor up for bigger catfish.
• Bream: Very good. Fish 1 to 5 feet of water using worms and crickets.

Lake Murray:

• Striped Bass: Good, Try using down-rod with live herring in 20 to 60 feet of water and also free-lining herring. Schooling activity reported early morning and late evening hours.
• Largemouth Bass: Tough. Early in the day fish topwaters like pencil poppers, Zara Spooks, Sammys, and flukes. Later in the day switch to Carolina or Texas rigging with larger worms in the 8 inch range off points.
• Crappie: Poor. Try deep brushpiles.
• Shellcracker: Good. Fish in 8 to 12 feet of water on crickets or worms.
• Bream: Very good. Bream are still shallow. Use crickets.
• Catfish: Good. Cut herring and nightcrawlers are producing over most any area of the lake from the campground down to the dam on the bottom in 5 to 15 feet of water.

Santee Cooper System            
Lake Marion:

• Largemouth Bass: Fair. Some really large bass are still being caught with Texas rigged worms in slightly deeper areas.
• Catfish: Good, fishing with live herring and cut shad off the bottom in deep water.
• Bream and Shellcrackers: Excellent, using redworms and crickets in 4 to 8 feet of water.

Lake Moultrie:

• Largemouth Bass: Fair, casting, spinnerbaits, plastic worms and lizards along docks and structure in shallow water.
• Catfish: Very good. During the day bigger fish seem to be keying on the sides of hills and underwater humps in 18 to 24 feet of water, although they may be shallower at times. Best catches are coming using cut mullet and herring.
• Crappie: Fair. Look for structure in 20 to 25 feet of water and fish minnows vertically.
• Bream and shellcracker: Very good. Most shellcracker have already backed off onto deeper water. Fish 1-5 feet for bluegills and 8 to 10 feet for shellcracker.

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Oklahoma Anglers Urged to Take Online Survey to Improve Fishing

As part of an ongoing effort to provide quality fishing experiences for anglers, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s fisheries division works regularly to establish “fish attractors” in lakes across the state, and now the Department wants the public’s input on how those areas impact angling.

Biologists with the Wildlife Department are conducting an online survey to gain feedback from anglers on what types of fish attracting structure seems to draw more fish, which types work best for increasing angler success and where fish attractors should be located. Anglers are asked to log on to the Wildlife Department’s Web site at wildlifedepartment.com to take the survey.

In recent years, the Wildlife Department’s fisheries personnel have been sinking brush piles and spider blocks in waters all across the state in hopes of attracting fish and increasing angler success. Brush piles are brought to lakes from other areas or cut from the lake’s own shoreline. Spider blocks, which are manmade fish attractors built from rubber hosing that is cemented into cinderblocks to create plantlike structure, are made by fisheries personnel as well as volunteers such as school groups and then strategically dropped into lakes across the state. Additionally, aquatic vegetation planting projects conducted by the Department also have been employed in some cases as a method for attracting fish.

“When hunting for deer, turkey and quail, it’s beneficial to have access to areas that attract game and to know where those areas are located, and it is the same way with fishing,” said Barry Bolton, chief of fisheries for the Wildlife Department. “Our state’s waters are full of fish, but anglers know there is a lot more to finding and catching them than just knowing that they live in the water. It’s helps to find areas that draw and congregate fish. And while we have been working to establish areas like this to improve fishing for our state’s anglers, we need to know how well it is working.”

Biologists with the Wildlife Department say all comments and suggestions are welcome, and the information gained from the survey will be used to refine future habitat enhancement efforts.

“The habitat work done by the Wildlife Department is aimed at producing quality fishing, so the interests and concerns of our sportsmen are important to us,” said Gene Gilliland, central region fisheries supervisor for the Wildlife Department.

For more information about fishing in Oklahoma or to take the survey, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.
 

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S.C. Freshwater Fishing Trends

 

For more recent updates and further information visit www.SCFishingReport.com

Mountains Area
Lake Jocassee:

• Trout: Very good. Troll from the surface down to 55 feet using trolling spoons or large plugs. Also pull large live shiners in the same zone. In the April 12 Jocassee Outdoor Center Trout Tournament the winning fish was an 8.35 pound monster, and several fish over 6 pounds were caught. Night fishing continues to be productive with large fish and good numbers being caught; troll the rivers for best success.
• Largemouth and Redeye Bass: Excellent. Bass are moving towards the banks and biting aggressively. The hot lure is dark swamp crawler green pumpkin Zoom worms. Other fish remain in deeper water and can be caught on finesse worms fished on Carolina Rigs or shaky head worms.
   

Lake Keowee:

• Largemouth Bass: Very good. Warmer weather has moved fish shallower and fish are preparing to move onto beds in some areas and have begun bedding in others. Fish shallow coves using Lake Fork Twitch Worms around Cane Creek, Crooked Creek, Mile Creek, and High Falls.
• Spotted Bass: Very good. Fish the upper part of the lake around Mile Creek and High Falls. Early in the morning throw a buzz bait or a top water jerk bait. Later in the day fish shallow running crankbaits in chartreuse colors in 10-25 feet of water. Live baiting with medium shiners is also productive fishing vertically over structure.
• Crappie: Fair. Try minnows and jigs in 15-20 feet of water around brush piles and other structure. Some very large crappie are being caught but not numbers.
   

Lake Hartwell:

• Striped and Hybrid Bass: Good to very good. There are reports of 20 to 30 pound fish being caught in 8 to 15 feet of water off points; the large striper have pinned the baitfish into shallow water. Monitor water temperatures and look for the warmest water that isn’t muddy. Striper are attempting to spawn right now and moving into the tailwaters of the upstream dam, river or large creeks and feeding along key main-lake structure as they go. Check points in the middle of the reservoir on up; big striper are hitting large gizzard shad trolled off points up and down the Seneca.
• Largemouth Bass: Excellent. The largemouth bass bite is red hot and fish are on the banks and feeding aggressively. Some fish are on the beds, some have already spawned, and a few have yet to spawn. Target shallow fish using soft plastics; red shad color has been deadly. In a recent club tournament anglers caught multiple limits both days and were culling 2 and 3 pound fish.
• Crappie: Excellent. The crappie bite is very good and fish are feeding aggressively in 2 to 8 feet of water. Look for large fish, not numbers of crappie, and try trolling small minnows or small white jigs. Also fish brushpiles with small to medium minnows, Alibis and curly tail grubs.

Piedmont Area
Lake Russell:

• Striped and Hybrid Bass: Fair. Fish early morning with bucktails and cut and live herring. Fish are still fairly deep. Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Some bass are spawning while many have already moved back out to slightly deeper water. Try fishing spinnerbaits in the trees, and also try Carolina Rigging in 10 to 15 feet of water. Green pumpkinseed and purple worms are most productive. For spotted bass fish rubber worms or crankbaits on main or secondary points in 8 to 12 feet of water.
• Crappie: Very good. Lake Russell anglers continue to catch lots of crappie. Fish in 12 - 18 feet of water around treetops using small minnows.
• Catfish: Good, using cut bait and nightcrawlers along the bottom.
   

Lake Thurmond:

• Striped and Hybrid Bass: Fair. In a recent club tournament the largest striped bass that was caught weighed 5 pounds. The striper bite has unexpectedly slowed but should pick up again soon. Try live herring on planer boards, free lines, or down rods.
• Largemouth Bass: Very good. Most bass have completed spawning but many are still hanging around shallow water and feeding aggressively. Black and purple soft plastics are very productive.
• Crappie: Excellent. Crappie are shallow and most are being caught 10 to 15 feet off the bank, with lots of fish over two pounds being taken. Some fish are still hanging in deeper water - troll in 10 to 12 feet of water to target these crappie.
• Shellcracker: Fair. The shellcracker bite is improving and fish are being caught on pink worms fished around shell-covered points.

Lake Wylie:

• Largemouth Bass: Very good. Many fish are still on the beds while others have already spawned. Post-spawn fish are beginning to move onto the drops. Floating worms, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits are all producing. Night fishing is also productive, and anglers fishing the Thursday Night Tournament Trail each Thursday out of Buster Boyd Landing are catching nice sacks.
• Crappie: Slow to fair. Crappie are in a transitional phase and most anglers are having trouble finding them. A few people, however, are catching large numbers. Try a 2 inch chartreuse jig tipped with a minnow, or a plain minnow.
• White Perch: Very good. White perch are moving into 15 foot deep water to spawn. Look for sandy bottoms. Other fish remain in 20-25 feet of water next to river channels. Use a minnow or small spoon lowered to the bottom and then bumped slowly. Small and medium sized perch are making up the bulk of the catch right now.
• Catfish: Very good. White perch and crappie fishermen are picking up lots of catfish mixed in with the panfish when using minnows.

Midlands Area
Lake Greenwood:

• Striped Bass: Fair. Some striped bass are being caught up the river but fishing in the main lake is slow. No schooling activity is being reported.
• Largemouth Bass: Very good. Many bass are still on the beds and being caught by anglers sight fishing with jigs or worms. Other bass have already bedded and moved back onto secondary points. Also try buzzbaits early in the morning and floating worms all day.
• Crappie: Good. Crappie have generally finished spawning and moved back out to deeper water. A few can still be caught shallow but best action is on deeper brushpiles or trolling with minnows and jigs.
• Catfish: Very good. Fish on the bottom using cut bait or worms, and try fishing at night.

Lake Wateree:

• Striped Bass: Good. Fish in the lower part of the lake using topwaters, shiners, or live herring.
• Largemouth Bass: Off and on. Some days are very productive, while some days the fish seem completely unwilling to bite. Most have already bedded while some bass are still spawning. Throw spinnerbaits, speed traps, shad raps, and other reaction type baits to target aggressive fish, and use lizards to catch spawning fish. The slightly stained mid-lake areas are producing the best fishing because of higher water temperatures there.
• Crappie: Good. Due to recent rains water has been a bit muddy for best crappie fishing. Target the Fishing Creek and Beaver Creek areas using minnows and key on shallow structure.
• Catfish: Very good. Multiple 40 pounders are still being taken. Target big blue cats using cut bait fished on the edges of holes. Other fish have started to move into shallower water to spawn. 8 to 10 pound fish are being caught on stinkbaits, worms, cut bait, and live bait fished on the bottom; fish are feeding so aggressively artificial lure fishermen are even catching some.
• Bream: Good. Bream are beginning to move shallow and onto beds.

Lake Murray:

• Striped Bass: Fair. Catching big fish remains hit or miss, and few big fish were weighed in during a recent Midlands Striper Club tournament. Fish are in anywhere from 3 to 60 feet of water, and anglers are catching fish using a variety of methods including planer boards, free-lines, and down rods in 50 to 60 feet of water. Some topwater schooling activity is being reported; continue to look for the birds which are still around and feeding on baitfish.
• Largemouth Bass: Excellent. Most bass have already spawned but the fish have skipped the traditional post-spawn slowdown and continue to feed aggressively. Fish in 6 to 15 feet for the biggest fish; smaller fish may still be right on the banks. Fish Carolina or Texas Rigged worms; the best colors are watermelon candy and green pumpkinseed. Also try topwater lures early and late and floating worms throughout the day.
• Crappie: Fair. Crappie have generally finished spawning and moved back out to deeper water. A few can still be caught shallow but best action is on deeper brushpiles or trolling with minnows and jigs in 6 to 15 feet of water.
• Bream and Shellcracker: Excellent. Fish are coming onto the beds and will continue to spawn for the next month or two, especially around full moons. Fish in 6 inches down to 5 feet of water using worms and crickets.
   

Santee Cooper System            
Lake Marion:

• Fishing on the upper end of the lake is very strong, and boat ramps such as Pack’s Landing are open again with the rising water. Striped Bass: Fair. Use cut bait and live herring; occasional striped bass are being caught.
• Largemouth Bass: Good to very good. Reports of 6 to 10 pound fish are fairly common and bass are being caught around shallow structure and submerged cover. Fish soft plastics or try topwater lures as the water continues to warm.
• Catfish: Very good. On both the upper and lower ends of the lake catfish are moving very shallow to spawn - fish up to 50 pounds or bigger can be caught in 2 to 6 feet of water using cut bait on the bottom. In the lower part of the lake large catfish can still be caught in deeper water, too, drifting or anchored.
• Crappie: Very good. Most crappie have already completed spawning but are still feeding very well. Fish in the Jack’s Creek area and around Santee State Park up towards Stump Hole Landing. Fish around bridges for fish that have moved back into deeper water.
• Bream and Shellcracker: Very Good. Fish shallow water along the banks near Santee Park and Stump Hole. Fish have moved shallow and will spawn and feed aggressively for the next 4 to 6 weeks.
   

Lake Moultrie:

• Striped Bass: Slow to fair. The striper bite is not good enough to plan a trip around it but there is some schooling activity in the Bonneau area and at the mouth of the Diversion Canal. Anglers should have a rod ready with a bucktail in case a school hits the surface while they are pursuing another species.
• Largemouth Bass: Very good. Some bass are still on the beds and some very big fish are being caught. Fish shallow running crankbaits or floating worms around shallow structure; try jigs and spinnerbaits in deeper areas.
• Catfish: Very good. Lots of blue and flathead catfish in the 30 to 40 pound range are being caught as well as plenty of smaller blue and channel catfish. Drifting with the wind in 10 to 25 feet of water is productive; on calmer days try anchoring up and bottom fishing. Cut shad, herring and white perch have all produced fish, while the largest fish have been caught on white perch.
• Crappie: Good. Some crappie are still spawning and remain near the banks. Fish just south of Angel’s Landing and on the east side of the lake between Bonneau and Russellville in the mid lake area.
• Shellcracker: Good. Catches of shellcracker are starting to pick up as the fish move shallow and start to spawn. The mouth of the Diversion Canal on the Moultrie end is producing shellcracker in late afternoon but overall fishing in the Upper Lake is stronger for shellcracker, perhaps because of the standing timber.
   

South Carolina Rivers

Catawba River

• Largemouth Bass: Fair. Bass fishing in the Catawba is beginning to improve using crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Calmer conditions should improve fishing in the next couple of weeks.
• Catfish: Nice catches of catfish are being taken fishing at night.
   

Chattooga River

• Trout: Excellent. Water levels and temperatures are both ideal. Fly Fishing report: The March Brown Mayflies have hatched, bringing with them the dry fly season which should last from 4 to 6 weeks. Fish Addam’s, Blue Winged Olives, or March Brown flies in sizes 14, 16, or 18. Fish are feeding aggressively and nice sized trout are being caught.
• Conventional tackle report: Fishermen continue to take large numbers of trout on rooster tails and other spinners. White and pearl colors are strong.
   

Congaree River

• Striped Bass: Good. Some very large striped bass have already moved into the Congaree and made their way up towards the rocks around the Gervais Street Bridge - 20 to 25 pound fish are being caught. Anglers need to cover a lot of water early in the year and best success is coming throwing Bomber Long As, 5 inch Yozuris, and Swimbaits. Live bait fishing is not yet productive. Best fishing is coming on days when water is running - other days may not even be worth fishing yet.
   

Cooper River

• Shad: Excellent. The shad run is still hot in the Tailrace and the females are making their way from the ocean up the river towards the Lake Moultrie Dam Tailrace to spawn. Some really nice roe shad are being taken, ranging from 3 to 5 pounds. Conventional fishermen should use a small green grub and fly anglers should use a chartreuse Clauser on a #4 hook.
   

Great Pee Dee

• Fish the main river for catfish and target bass and panfish in the surrounding oxbow lakes. Catfish: Good to very good. Catches of catfish are picking up in the main river using cut eels. Fish on the bottom in holes and around channel breaks.
• Crappie: Fair. Anglers fishing ox bow lakes off the main channel are starting to report improved catches. Use minnows.
   

Lynches River

• Bass: Slow to fair. Some bass are starting to be caught but fishing should improve as the water warms. Use crankbaits and soft plastics.
• Bream: Slow to fair. Fish worms on the bottom. Catches will continue to improve as the water warms.

Saluda River

• Trout: Very good. Fly fishermen should cast Wooly Buggers or similar flies; several hatches have already taken place. Lots of stock fish are being caught, and spinners are also effective.
• Striped Bass: Slow to fair. A few striped bass have made their way into the Saluda although some large fish are being caught at the confluence of the Congaree, Broad, and Saluda. Expect another down year for striper bass until the fishery improves.
   

Santee Diversion Canal

• Shellcracker: Fair to good. Shellcracker are being caught on the Moultrie end of the canal but the largest numbers of bream and shellcracker are in the shallow water of the main lakes.
• Catfish: Very good. Flathead catfish up to 50 and 60 pounds are being caught in the canal at night. Anchor or slowly drift cut bait.

Savannah River

• Yellow Perch: Excellent. Huge yellow perch are still being caught in the two plus pound range. The Georgia state record was recently tied, and experts predict that it will soon be broken. DNR recently certified a three perch stringer this week which weighed over 7 pounds.
• Striped/ Hybrid Bass: Good. Fish are being caught directly under the Lake Thurmond Dam in the slack areas where baitfish are being pulled through. Remember, only 2 fish over 27″ may be kept and no striper, hybrids or white bass under that size.

Waccamaw River

• Crappie: Good. Fishermen in the Waccamaw are beginning to report nice catches of crappies. Use minnows around structure. Catfish: Good. Use large goldfish or shiners to target big catfish. Anglers are having success using set hooks and trotlines but the same baits will work rod and reel fishing.

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S.C. Freshwater Fishing Trends

Mountains Area - Piedmont Area - Midlands Area - Santee Cooper System - Rivers - South Carolina freshwater fish regulations (PDF) - Purchase a fishing license - Boat Ramp Locations

For more recent updates and further information visit www.SCFishingReport.com

Mountains Area
Lake Jocassee:

• Trout: Very good. Troll from the surface down to 55 feet using trolling spoons or large plugs. Also pull large live shiners in the same zone. In the April 12 Jocassee Outdoor Center Trout Tournament the winning fish was an 8.35 pound monster, and several fish over 6 pounds were caught. Night fishing continues to be productive with large fish and good numbers being caught; troll the rivers for best success.
• Largemouth and Redeye Bass: Excellent. Bass are moving towards the banks and biting aggressively. The hot lure is dark swamp crawler green pumpkin Zoom worms. Other fish remain in deeper water and can be caught on finesse worms fished on Carolina Rigs or shaky head worms.
   

Lake Keowee:

• Largemouth Bass: Very good. Warmer weather has moved fish shallower and fish are preparing to move onto beds in some areas. Try flipping plastic crawdads under boat docks. Also use 3 ½ inch live magic shad colored Lake Fork Swim baits and topwater jerkbaits.
• Spotted Bass: Very good. Fish the upper part of the lake around Mile Creek and High Falls. Early in the morning throw a buzz bait or a top water jerk bait. Switch to a Carolina Rig worm in pumpkin seed or watermelon colors as the sun rises. Live baiting with medium shiners is also productive fishing vertically over structure.
• Crappie: Fair. It’s still early for Upstate crappie but try minnows and jigs in 15-20 feet of water around brush piles and other structure. Some very large crappie are being caught but not numbers.
   

Lake Hartwell:

• Striped and Hybrid Bass: Good to very good. There are reports of 20 to 30 pound fish being caught in 8 to 15 feet of water off points. Monitor water temperatures and look for the warmest water that isn’t muddy. Striper are attempting to spawn right now and moving into the tailwaters of the upstream dam, river or large creeks and feeding along key main-lake structure as they go. Check points in the middle of the reservoir on up; big striper are hitting large gizzard shad trolled off points up and down the Seneca.
• Largemouth Bass: Good. Largemouth continue to move shallower and feed more aggressively with the sustained warm weather - look for fish in 10 - 12 feet of water with some moving even closer. Early fish are beginning to spawn while others are still staging.
• Crappie: Excellent. The crappie bite is very good and fish are feeding aggressively in 14 to 15 feet of water. Look for large fish, not numbers of crappie, and try trolling small minnows or small white jigs. Also fish brushpiles with small to medium minnows, Alibis and curly tail grubs. Best action comes in the afternoons in areas where water has hit sixty degrees.

Piedmont Area
Lake Russell:

• Striped and Hybrid Bass: Fair. Fish early morning with bucktails and cut and live herring. Fish are still fairly deep.
• Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Good. Water temperatures remain cool and fish have not moved onto the beds yet although they are moving shallower. Fish spinnerbaits on points for largemouth; Beaver Dam Creek is productive. For spotted bass fish rubber worms or crankbaits on main or secondary points in 8 to 12 feet of water. Crappie: Very good. Lake Russell anglers continue to catch lots of crappie. Fish in 12 - 18 feet of water around treetops using small minnows. Water temperatures remain cool and so fish have not moved onto the banks.
• Catfish: Good, using cut bait and nightcrawlers along the bottom.

Lake Thurmond:

• Lake temperatures are in the low 60s.
• Striped and Hybrid Bass: Very good. Warm temperatures have turned the striper bite on and large numbers are being caught - 4 and 5 fish simultaneous hook-ups are common. Striped bass are feeding actively in creeks and the Little River area. Fish live herring on planer boards and also target creek mouths. In two to three weeks fish will move onto main lake points and should be targeted early in the morning.
• Largemouth Bass: Good. Some largemouth bass have already moved onto the beds and others have moved into shallow water. Fish in the backs of pockets using pumpkin seed or watermelon colored lizards.
• Crappie: Excellent. Crappie are spawning and have moved into 3 to 4 feet of water. Use jigs and minnows to catch these shallow fish. Other fish are still hanging in deeper water - troll in 10 to 12 feet of water to target these crappie.
• Shellcracker: Fair. The shellcracker bite is improving and fish are being caught on pink worms fished around shell-covered points

Lake Wylie:

• Largemouth Bass: Very good. Bass are on the beds; target these fish by throwing lizards or suspended plugs. Some fishermen are also doing well at night by throwing worms, lizards, or spinnerbaits around the bank.
• Crappie: Very good. Crappie are moving onto the banks to spawn around brush, piers, and boat docks. Large fish are being caught. Use a 2 inch chartreuse jig tipped with a minnow or a plain minnow.
• White Perch: Very good. White perch are moving into 15 foot deep water to spawn. Look for sandy bottoms. Other fish remain in 20-25 feet of water next to river channels. Use a minnow or small spoon lowered to the bottom and then bumped slowly.
• Catfish: Very good. White perch and crappie fishermen are picking up lots of catfish mixed in with the panfish when using minnows.

Midlands Area
Lake Greenwood:

• Striped Bass: Fair. Some striped bass are being caught up the river but fishing in the main lake is slow. No schooling activity is being reported.
• Largemouth Bass: Very good. Many bass are still on the beds and being caught by anglers sight fishing with jigs or worms. Other bass have already bedded and moved back onto secondary points. Also try buzzbaits early in the morning and floating worms all day.
• Crappie: Good. Crappie have generally finished spawning and moved back out to deeper water. A few can still be caught shallow but best action is on deeper brushpiles or trolling with minnows and jigs.
• Catfish: Very good. Fish on the bottom using cut bait or worms, and try fishing at night.

Lake Wateree:

• Striped Bass: Good. Fish in the lower part of the lake using topwaters, shiners, or live herring.
• Largemouth Bass: Very good. Fish are moving shallow and many have already begun to bed and a few have already finished. Throw spinnerbaits, speed traps, shad raps, and other reaction type baits to target aggressive fish, and use lizards to catch spawning fish. The slightly stained mid-lake areas are producing the best fishing because of higher water temperatures there.
• Crappie: Good. Due to recent rains water has been a bit muddy for best crappie fishing. Target the Fishing Creek and Beaver Creek areas using minnows and key on shallow structure. Some fish have already begun to spawn and others are moving that way.
• Catfish: Very good. Multiple 40 pounders are still being taken. Target big blue cats using cut bait fished on the edges of holes. Other fish have started to move into shallower water to spawn.

Lake Murray:

• Striped Bass: Fair. Catching big fish remains hit or miss, and few big fish were weighed in during a recent Midlands Striper Club tournament. Fish are in anywhere from 3 to 60 feet of water, and anglers are catching fish using a variety of methods including planer boards, free-lines, and down rods in 50 to 60 feet of water. Some topwater schooling activity is being reported; continue to look for the birds which are still around and feeding on baitfish.
• Largemouth Bass: Excellent. Most bass have already spawned but the fish have skipped the traditional post-spawn slowdown and continue to feed aggressively. Fish in 6 to 15 feet for the biggest fish; smaller fish may still be right on the banks. Fish Carolina or Texas Rigged worms; the best colors are watermelon candy and green pumpkinseed. Also try topwater lures early and late and floating worms throughout the day.
• Crappie: Fair. Crappie have generally finished spawning and moved back out to deeper water. A few can still be caught shallow but best action is on deeper brushpiles or trolling with minnows and jigs in 6 to 15 feet of water.
• Bream and Shellcracker: Excellent. Fish are coming onto the beds and will continue to spawn for the next month or two, especially around full moons. Fish in 6 inches down to 5 feet of water using worms and crickets.
   

Santee Cooper System            
Lake Marion:

• Fishing on the upper end of the lake is very strong, and boat ramps such as Pack’s Landing are open again with the rising water. Striped Bass: Fair. Use cut bait and live herring; occasional striped bass are being caught.
• Largemouth Bass: Good to very good. Catches of very large bass, over 10 pounds, are picking up, and reports of 6 to 10 pound fish are fairly common. Some fish are spawning, a few have already spawned, and others will soon spawn. Fish plastic worms or lizards shallow for spawning fish.
• Catfish: Very good. On both the upper and lower ends of the lake catfish are moving very shallow to spawn - fish up to 50 pounds or bigger can be caught in 2 to 6 feet of water using cut bait on the bottom. In the lower part of the lake large catfish can still be caught in deeper water, too, drifting or anchored.
• Crappie: Good. Crappie are moving towards shallow water and many fish have already moved onto the banks to spawn. Fish in the Jack’s Creek area and around Santee State Park up towards Stump Hole Landing. In the lower part of the lake fish are also moving shallow and can be caught around docks and piers. Target fish with jigs and minnows.
• Shellcracker: Good. Fish shallow water along the banks near Santee Park and Stump Hole.

Lake Moultrie:

• Striped Bass: Slow to fair. The striper bite is not good enough to plan a trip around it yet but there is some schooling activity in the Bonneau area and at the mouth of the Diversion Canal. Anglers should have a rod ready with a bucktail in case a school hits the surface while they are pursuing another species. Expect fishing to improve in the next couple of weeks as striped bass make their annual migration through the Lakes.
• Largemouth Bass: Very good. Some bass are still on the beds, and some very big bass are being caught. Target spawning fish with plastic lizards or worms, and fish for prespawn fish with crankbaits or spinnerbaits.
• Catfish: Very good. Catfish are feeding aggressively both deep and shallow. Fish cut herring or other large, oily chunks of baitfish in 6-8 feet of water on the bottom around ditches and stumps. Coolers full of 15 to 20 pound fish are being reported. Also try drifting in 20 to 25 feet of water when the winds are favorable or too strong to anchor comfortably.
• Crappie: Good. Crappie fishing was very good until the recent cold snap but expect it to pick up again soon. Some fish are already spawning and many have moved onto the banks. Fish just south of Angel’s Landing and on the east side of the lake between Bonneau and Russellville in the mid lake area.
• Shellcracker: Fair. Catches of shellcracker are starting to pick up. The mouth of the Diversion Canal on the Moultrie end is producing shellcracker in late afternoon but overall fishing in the Upper Lake is much stronger for shellcracker, perhaps because of the standing timber.
   

South Carolina Rivers

Catawba River

• Largemouth Bass: Fair. Bass fishing in the Catawba is beginning to improve using crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Calmer conditions should improve fishing in the next couple of weeks.
• Catfish: Nice catches of catfish are being taken fishing at night.
   

Chattooga River

• Trout: Excellent. Water levels and temperatures are both ideal. Fly Fishing report: The March Brown Mayflies have hatched, bringing with them the dry fly season which should last from 4 to 6 weeks. Fish Addam’s, Blue Winged Olives, or March Brown flies in sizes 14, 16, or 18. Fish are feeding aggressively and nice sized trout are being caught.
• Conventional tackle report: Fishermen continue to take large numbers of trout on rooster tails and other spinners. White and pearl colors are strong.

Congaree River

• Striped Bass: Good. Some very large striped bass have already moved into the Congaree and made their way up towards the rocks around the Gervais Street Bridge - 20 to 25 pound fish are being caught. Anglers need to cover a lot of water early in the year and best success is coming throwing Bomber Long As, 5 inch Yozuris, and Swimbaits. Live bait fishing is not yet productive. Best fishing is coming on day s when water is running - other days may not even be worth fishing yet.
   

Cooper River

• Shad: Excellent. The shad run is still hot in the Tailrace and the females are making their way from the ocean up the river towards the Lake Moultrie Dam Tailrace to spawn. Some really nice roe shad are being taken, ranging from 3 to 5 pounds. Conventional fishermen should use a small green grub and fly anglers should use a chartreuse Clauser on a #4 hook.
   

Great Pee Dee

• Fish the main river for catfish and target bass and panfish in the surrounding oxbow lakes.
• Catfish: Good to very good. Catches of catfish are picking up in the main river using cut eels. Fish on the bottom in holes and around channel breaks.
• Crappie: Fair. Anglers fishing ox bow lakes off the main channel are starting to report improved catches. Use minnows.

Lynches River

• Bass: Slow to fair. Some bass are starting to be caught but fishing should improve as the water warms. Use crankbaits and soft plastics.
• Bream: Slow to fair. Fish worms on the bottom. Catches will continue to improve as the water warms.

Saluda River

• Trout: Very good. Fly fishermen should cast Wooly Buggers or similar flies. Several hatches have already taken place.
• Striped Bass: Slow. Striped bass have not quite made their way into the Saluda although large fish are being caught at the confluence of the Congaree, Broad, and Saluda.
   

Santee Diversion Canal

• Shellcracker: Fair to good. Shellcracker are being caught on the Moultrie end of the canal. Look for warmer water conditions in late afternoon. The fish were biting very well until the recent cold snap, but look for warmer weather to turn them back on in the next few days.
• Catfish: Very good. Fish in the 40 pound range are being caught at the mouth of the canal on the Moultrie end.

Savannah River

• Yellow Perch: Excellent. Huge yellow perch are still being caught in the two plus pound range. The Georgia state record was recently tied, and experts predict that it will soon be broken. DNR recently certified a three perch stringer this week which weighed over 7 pounds.
• Striped/ Hybrid Bass: Good. Fish are being caught directly under the Lake Thurmond Dam in the slack areas where baitfish are being pulled through. Remember, only 2 fish over 27″ may be kept and no striper, hybrids or white bass under that size.

Waccamaw River

• Crappie: Good. Fishermen in the Waccamaw are beginning to report nice catches of crappies. Use minnows around structure.
• Catfish: Good. Use large goldfish or shiners to target big catfish. Anglers are having success using set hooks and trotlines but the same baits will work rod and reel fishing.

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S. C. Freshwater Fishing Trends

For more recent updates and further information visit www.SCFishingReport.com

Mountains Area
Lake Jocassee:

• Trout: Very good. Troll from the surface down to 55 feet using trolling spoons or large plugs. Also pull large live shiners in the same zone. In the April 12 Jocassee Outdoor Center Trout Tournament the winning fish was an 8.35 pound monster, and several fish over 6 pounds were caught. Night fishing continues to be productive with large fish and good numbers being caught; troll the rivers for best success.
• Largemouth and Redeye Bass: Excellent. Bass are moving towards the banks and biting aggressively. The hot lure is dark swamp crawler green pumpkin Zoom worms. Other fish remain in deeper water and can be caught on finesse worms fished on Carolina Rigs or shaky head worms.
   

Lake Keowee:

• Largemouth Bass: Very good. Warmer weather has moved fish shallower and fish are preparing to move onto beds in some areas. Try flipping plastic crawdads under boat docks. Also use 3 ½ inch live magic shad colored Lake Fork Swim baits and topwater jerkbaits.
• Spotted Bass: Very good. Fish the upper part of the lake around Mile Creek and High Falls. Early in the morning throw a buzz bait or a top water jerk bait. Switch to a Carolina Rig worm in pumpkin seed or watermelon colors as the sun rises. Live baiting with medium shiners is also productive fishing vertically over structure.
• Crappie: Fair. It’s still early for Upstate crappie but try minnows and jigs in 15-20 feet of water around brush piles and other structure. Some very large crappie are being caught but not numbers.
   

Lake Hartwell:

• Striped and Hybrid Bass: Good to very good. There are reports of 20 to 30 pound fish being caught in 8 to 15 feet of water off points. Monitor water temperatures and look for the warmest water that isn’t muddy. Striper are attempting to spawn right now and moving into the tailwaters of the upstream dam, river or large creeks and feeding along key main-lake structure as they go. Check points in the middle of the reservoir on up; big striper are hitting large gizzard shad trolled off points up and down the Seneca.
• Largemouth Bass: Good. Largemouth continue to move shallower and feed more aggressively with the sustained warm weather - look for fish in 10 - 12 feet of water with some moving even closer. Early fish are beginning to spawn while others are still staging.
• Crappie: Excellent. The crappie bite is very good and fish are feeding aggressively in 14 to 15 feet of water. Look for large fish, not numbers of crappie, and try trolling small minnows or small white jigs. Also fish brushpiles with small to medium minnows, Alibis and curly tail grubs. Best action comes in the afternoons in areas where water has hit sixty degrees.

Piedmont Area
Lake Russell:

• Striped and Hybrid Bass: Fair. Fish early morning with bucktails and cut and live herring. Fish are still fairly deep.
• Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Good. Water temperatures remain cool and fish have not moved onto the beds yet although they are moving shallower. Fish spinnerbaits on points for largemouth; Beaver Dam Creek is productive. For spotted bass fish rubber worms or crankbaits on main or secondary points in 8 to 12 feet of water. Crappie: Very good. Lake Russell anglers continue to catch lots of crappie. Fish in 12 - 18 feet of water around treetops using small minnows. Water temperatures remain cool and so fish have not moved onto the banks.
• Catfish: Good, using cut bait and nightcrawlers along the bottom.

Lake Thurmond:

• Lake temperatures are in the low 60s.
• Striped and Hybrid Bass: Very good. Warm temperatures have turned the striper bite on and large numbers are being caught - 4 and 5 fish simultaneous hook-ups are common. Striped bass are feeding actively in creeks and the Little River area. Fish live herring on planer boards and also target creek mouths. In two to three weeks fish will move onto main lake points and should be targeted early in the morning.
• Largemouth Bass: Good. Some largemouth bass have already moved onto the beds and others have moved into shallow water. Fish in the backs of pockets using pumpkin seed or watermelon colored lizards.
• Crappie: Excellent. Crappie are spawning and have moved into 3 to 4 feet of water. Use jigs and minnows to catch these shallow fish. Other fish are still hanging in deeper water - troll in 10 to 12 feet of water to target these crappie.
• Shellcracker: Fair. The shellcracker bite is improving and fish are being caught on pink worms fished around shell-covered points

Lake Wylie:

• Largemouth Bass: Very good. Bass are on the beds; target these fish by throwing lizards or suspended plugs. Some fishermen are also doing well at night by throwing worms, lizards, or spinnerbaits around the bank.
• Crappie: Very good. Crappie are moving onto the banks to spawn around brush, piers, and boat docks. Large fish are being caught. Use a 2 inch chartreuse jig tipped with a minnow or a plain minnow.
• White Perch: Very good. White perch are moving into 15 foot deep water to spawn. Look for sandy bottoms. Other fish remain in 20-25 feet of water next to river channels. Use a minnow or small spoon lowered to the bottom and then bumped slowly.
• Catfish: Very good. White perch and crappie fishermen are picking up lots of catfish mixed in with the panfish when using minnows.

Midlands Area
Lake Greenwood:

• Striped Bass: Fair. Some striped bass are being caught up the river but fishing in the main lake is slow. No schooling activity is being reported.
• Largemouth Bass: Very good. Many bass are still on the beds and being caught by anglers sight fishing with jigs or worms. Other bass have already bedded and moved back onto secondary points. Also try buzzbaits early in the morning and floating worms all day.
• Crappie: Good. Crappie have generally finished spawning and moved back out to deeper water. A few can still be caught shallow but best action is on deeper brushpiles or trolling with minnows and jigs.
• Catfish: Very good. Fish on the bottom using cut bait or worms, and try fishing at night.

Lake Wateree:

• Striped Bass: Good. Fish in the lower part of the lake using topwaters,