South Carolina Freshwater Fishing Trends - 6/16/2008
June 16, 2008
- Trout: Very good. Nice catches of large rainbow trout are being reported trolling in 50 - 70 feet of water using trolling spoons or large plugs; also pull large live shiners in the same zone.
- Largemouth and Redeye Bass: Excellent. Fish have finished spawning but are still up against the banks. The hot lure remains dark swamp crawler green pumpkin Zoom worms.
- Smallmouth Bass: Excellent. Fish Texas rigged worms around rocky points and shallows.
- Largemouth Bass: Good. Fish Carolina rigged worms in watermelon, chartreuse, and pumpkin seed colors around islands and boat docks. Around the North end of the lake Lake Fork swimbaits in magic shad, blue back herring, and pearl white are producing good numbers of fish slow rolling around points and coves.
- Spotted Bass: Very good. Spots are biting very well on shallow running crankbaits fished in 18 to 25 feet of water. Fish the upper part of the lake around Mile Creek and High Falls.
- Crappie: Good. Crappie have moved out to 20-25 feet of water and can be caught fishing up against bridge pilings at night.
- Striped and Hybrid Bass: Good. From 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. lots of fish are breaking water all over the Seneca, but many of them are short. Later on large schools of fish are being marked from 30 to 35 feet, but enticing them to bite is difficult.
- Largemouth Bass: Very good. Some bass are still shallow and being caught on spinnerbaits. In deeper water many anglers are targeting bass fishing large worms like the Zoom Mag 2 in Tequila Sunrise, black and green pumpkinseed colors. Later in the day many people are Carolina rigging around points.
- Bream: Good. Bream have moved into very shallow water and are feeding aggressively.
Piedmont Area
Lake Russell:
- Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Fair. Try Carolina Rigging or fishing finesse worms in 10 to 15 feet of water. Green pumpkinseed and purple worms are good choices, as is watermelon color.
- Catfish: Good, using cut bait and nightcrawlers along the bottom.
- Bream and shellcracker: Good. Fish have already moved into shallow water.
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: Good. Early in the morning bass are being caught around secondary points using Zara Spooks.
- 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: Fair. After 10 a.m. or so move deeper and fish the drops using Carolina rigs with an extra long leader- a strong color is watermelon seed dipped in chartreuse glow dye. Finesse worms in cotton candy, kudzu and green worked very slowly are also productive.
- White Perch: Fair. 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.
- Shellcracker: Very good. Fish deep drops using red worms fished on a dead line.
- Catfish: Very good. Anglers are catching large numbers of catfish fishing with mussels, shrimp, and stinkbaits.
- Largemouth Bass: Fair. Early, late and nights are the most productive times to fish for bass right now. Use floating worms around rock piles, brushpiles and drop-offs along the bank.
- Crappie: Slow. Crappie have moved out over deep brush piles.
- Bream and Shellcracker: Very good. Fish 2-5 feet of water using crickets and red worms.
- Catfish: Very good. Fish on the bottom using cut bait or worms, and try fishing at night.
Lake Wateree:
- Largemouth Bass: Tough. Some schooling action is beginning to be reported and spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and plastic worms are all producing off and on - people are throwing everything and have yet to find a pattern that is consistently working.
- Crappie: Fair. Trolling with jigs and minnows is most effective, and the June Creek area has been productive.
- Catfish: Very good. Target big blue cats using cut bait fished on the edges of holes. Fish are being caught on stinkbaits, worms, cut bait, and live bait fished on the bottom.
- Bream: Very good. Fish 1 to 5 feet of water using worms and crickets.
Lake Murray:
- Striped Bass: Good. Best action is coming fishing down rods with live bait in 30 to 60 feet of water. Cut bait is also working well in the middle of the day, and early and late look for schooling fish chasing bait up to the surface.
- Largemouth Bass: Fair. Early morning topwater with pencil poppers, Zara Spooks, and buzzbaits may be productive. Later in the day switch to shaky head worms in watermelon candy and green pumpkinseed colors fished in 2 to 15 feet of water.
- Crappie: Poor. Check deep brushpiles.
- Shellcracker and bream: Good. Fish red worms and baby nightcrawlers around the banks and a few feet off.
- Catfish: Good. Cut herring and nightcrawlers are producing over most of the lake.
Santee Cooper System           Â
Lake Marion:
- Largemouth Bass: Fair. Fish Texas rigged worms in slightly deeper areas.
- Catfish: Good. Towards the dam catfish are staying deep during the day but being caught shallow at night.
- Crappie: Slow. Crappie are likely making their way towards deep water haunts for the summer.
- Bream and Shellcracker: Very good. Fish shallow water along the banks near Rimini Swamp, Santee Park, Stump Hole.
Lake Moultrie:
- Largemouth Bass: Fair. Try deep Carolina or Texas rigging.
- Catfish: Good. At night large flatheads and blues are both being caught in shallow water. Drifting is productive, as well as anchoring and fishing cut bait on the bottom when the lake is too calm to drift. 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.
- Shellcracker: Very good. Fish are being caught around cypress trees, especially where they meet lilies. Fish worms shallow.
Chattooga River
- Trout: Good.
- Fly Fishing report: The area from Pig Pen Creek up to the North Carolina border should still hold trout, though, and dry flies like the Light Henderson, Light Cayhill, Addams, and lighter caddis flies tied out of elkhair should produce.
Saluda River
- Striped Bass: Slow to fair. Throw large plugs, topwater poppers, or fish live shad or herring under corks or on the bottom. For now target the area closer to the dam.
- Trout: Fair. Fly fishermen should cast Wooly Buggers or similar flies; several hatches have already taken place.
Santee Diversion Canal
- Bream and Shellcracker: Very good. Fish are being caught throughout the canal.
- Catfish: Very good. Flathead catfish are being caught in the canal at night. Anchor or slowly drift cut bait.
- Bass: Good. Largemouth are stacked in the canal around drops where the water goes from shallow to 15 feet almost vertically.
Savannah River
- Striped/ Hybrid Bass: Hit or miss. When the correct gates are open on the Lake Thurmond Dam action can be fast, but at other times fish are not feeding.
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Eddy Discovery Center Announces June Nature Programs
June 4, 2008
The Eddy Discovery Center, located at the Waterloo State Recreation Area near Chelsea, has announced its nature programs for June. All programs are best suited for children between the ages of 7 and 12, and children participating in the programs must be accompanied by an adult.
The schedule for June includes:
- Terrific Turtles. At 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 18, the center will host a program on turtles found in the area, and ways you can help protect turtles.
- Rockin’ Rocks. At 11 a.m. Thursday, June 19, the three major rock groups and the rock cycle will be explored in this program with the staff geologist from the center. Rocks found along the center’s Rock Walkway will be discussed.
- Beginning Birding. At 10 a.m. Friday, June 20, participants are invited to go birding to see woodland and water birds. Binoculars will be provided.
- Massasauga Rattlesnake. At 11 a.m. Saturday, June 21, there will be a program on Michigan’s only venomous snake. A video will be shown that emphasizes the importance of this species and the research that is being done on the snake.
- Stream Ecology. At 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, participants will walk to a nearby stream to discover the organisms that live in this habitat. Children should wear boots or old tennis shoes for wading in shallow water.
- Petoskey Stone Polishing. At 11 a.m. Thursday, June 26, join the staff geologist and polish your own Petoskey stone to take home. Learn about the state stone and what stories this fossil tells us. Stones and kits will be supplied.
- Spring Pond Trail Hike. At 11 a.m. Friday, June 27, there will be a hike around the Spring Pond to learn about the wildlife and plants that live in the wetlands.
- Mammals. At 11 a.m. Saturday, June 30, participants can learn about several of the mammals that live in Michigan, such as raccoons and wolves.
- All programs are free; however, a 2008 State Park Motor Vehicle Permit is required to enter Waterloo State Recreation Area. Permits are $24 for a resident annual and $6 for a resident daily, or $29 for a non-resident annual and $8 for a non-resident daily.
To register for these programs or to get more information, please call the center at 734-475-3170.
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May Is Time To Clean Up On Crappie
May 13, 2008
Kansas anglers out in force as popular sportfish move to shallow water
PRATT — Of all Kansas outdoor recreation opportunities, crappie fishing is one of the most popular. These tasty fish bite year-round, but spring brings them close to shore, where they spawn in shallow water. This makes great fishing for anyone with a hook and line.
Late spring is the best time to catch crappie. They move to shallow areas when water temperatures reach the mid-50s and wait to spawn at water temperatures of 60-65 degrees. They may spawn as shallow as 2 feet deep and are most active at dawn and dusk, when light levels are low. Look for spawning fish near cattails, rock piles, or brush and twigs emerging from water.
Live minnows are good crappie bait, especially during cool spells when fish are less active. Hook the minnow just under the dorsal fin to keep it lively. Use a bobber to set depth, and keep a minnow near structure where the fish are hiding.
When crappie are most active, small, colorful jigs can produce even better catches. Small spoons, spinners, or crankbaits can be effective, as well. For the avid fly fisherman, crappie present a welcome challenge and bite well on a variety of flies. Those that imitate minnows and nymphs are best.
Most crappie anglers use ultralight spinning gear because the fish are not hard fighters and generally weigh less than a pound. Monofilament line of 4- to 6-pund test allows an angler to cast tiny jigs and provides better feel for light bites. A slip bobber or float can help keep a small jig at just the right depth and might help avoid snags.
Spawning crappie are easily frightened by noisy movements, so approach shallow fishing spots quietly. Some anglers use 10-foot rods equipped with short lines, wading and dipping the lure in a technique known as “doodlesocking.” Dipping the jig in likely-looking habitat, the doodlesocker can fish from spot to spot without spooking the fish. This is an effective method when crappie are in water less than 3 feet deep.
For anglers fishing for food, it doesn’t get any better than spring crappie fishing. Best crappie lakes include Toronto, Hillsdale, and Pomona reservoirs and Sedan and Anthony city lakes. For more information on crappie fishing prospects, go to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Park’s website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us
. Reservoir ratings for crappie may be found in the KDWP Fishing Forecast. In addition, the most currently-recorded biologists’ fishing reports may be found on the agency’s Fishing Reports web page, and anglers can report their own experiences and read those of others on the department’s Public Fishing Reports page. Water temperatures typically vary from north to south in Kansas, so some movement may begin later in the state’s northernmost lakes.
Because they are prolific in most Kansas waters, crappie creel limits are liberal — in most places, 50 fish per day. Some lakes have 10-inch length limits. Check the 2008 Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary, available wherever licenses are sold or online at www.kdwp.state.ks.us, for details.
For a video clip on Kansas crappie fishing, click ” KDWP TV” on the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks’ website.
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For Clear Lake’s Most Popular Game Fish - the Bite is On
May 3, 2008
CLEAR LAKE - One of my annual outdoor goals is to hook a walleye on the very first cast of the spring fishing season. Although I’ve never been successful at achieving the dream, I came pretty close this year.
I didn’t begin fishing until last week, and the walleye spawn was approaching its peak as I waded into the chilly waters of Clear Lake. The sky was overcast and the shoreline was littered with rock — prime conditions for shallow water, early season spawners.
Other anglers were already on the scene, including my son Matt. Wading in that direction I was pleased to discover that, in less than 15 minutes of fishing, he had already taken two legal walleye and had just released a sub-legal, 13-incher.
Hooking a lively fathead minnow unto a 1/16 ounce jig head, I made the season’s first cast. Nothing. Second cast, ditto. Third cast, same result. On the fourth cast I felt a hard rap just as the bait hit bottom. The pull felt good and, within seconds, the season’s first walleye — a not quite legal 13 ½-incher — was firmly in hand.
Returning the fish to the water, I quickly resumed the quest. Three casts later, the rod bent again. This time the fish measured 15 inches. Hungry for a meal of fresh fish, I lost no time in stringing the walleye up.
Almost immediately, Matt hooked another keeper walleye. A minute later, the guy standing to the right of me [we hadn't had time for proper introductions yet] tied into a very nice 19-incher. While distracted by the activity surrounding me, I had another hit but missed the fish. A half dozen casts later, I hooked and landed another 15-incher.
People were getting off work now and the angling crowd was growing rapidly. Everyone was catching fish. I could tell it was going to a rough night for the walleyes.
“Although the open water season is just beginning, it’s already been a good year at Clear Lake,” says DNR District Fisheries Biologist, Scott Grummer. “It was a late spring, and as soon as the ice was out anglers began catching fish. From ice out until present, angler success on walleye has been excellent.”
The scenario is pretty much typical for this time of the year at Clear Lake. Fish are concentrated into shallow rocky habitats with male walleye [bucks] comprising the lion’s share of the harvest. Although artificial baits will produce fish, most anglers are currently sticking to the fail safe, no frills jig & minnow combo.
“Although there have been some bigger fish taken, most of the walleyes being caught are in the 14-inch to 18-inch class, which is very typical during the spawn,” says Grummer. “Once the spawn is over and fish disperse to other habitats, we’ll start to see some of the larger females come into the bag.”
With a harvest of 11,000 legal walleyes, the 2007 open water fishing season was “above average” for Clear Lake. Biologists say anglers can expect more of the same during 2008.
“Right now, Clear Lake has very good populations of ‘keeper’ walleyes from multiple year classes. There is another strong year class of sublegal fish that should hit fourteen inches sometime toward the end of this year’s growing season. We’re predicting another very good summer of walleye fishing at Clear Lake,” said Grummer.
 - by Lowell Washburn -
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