South Carolina DNR Freshwater report 10-6

Mountains Area
Piedmont Area
Midlands Area
Santee Cooper System
SC Freshwater Fishing Regulations (Adobe PDF)
Purchase a fishing license
Boat Ramp Locations
State Fish Consumption Advisories

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

Mountains Area

Lake Jocassee:

Trout: Fair. Captain Steve Pietrykowski advises that fishing has been fair. The trout are deep, and trolling in the big water 70-110 feet down has been most effective. Live shiners and spoons will both catch fish, but the live bait has been producing better than hardware. Night fishing has slowed for the year.
Black Bass: Fair. Captain Pat Bennett reports that as air and water temperatures drop the fishing is improving. Early and late try topwater lures such as Spooks and Jitterbugs around long points. Also target bass related to shoreline cover proximate to deep water, where they can be caught on shakey head worms, Carolina rigs and spinnerbaits. The first drop-off is often strong. Fish can also be caught on soft plastics fish around bluff walls. Many bass continue to be out in deep, open water following roaming schools of baitfish, but many of these bait schools should make their way up the rivers and creeks as the fall progresses. Water levels continue to drop, so be careful putting in and running on the lake.

Lake Keowee: (unchanged from Sept. 29)

Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Slow. Guide Brad Fowler reports that Lake Keowee is fishing tough right now, although there is some scattered topwater activity. A few fish are also being caught on drops shot rigs fished deep and scrounger heads. The bite should improve as water temperatures cool and bait and fish move into the creeks.

Lake Hartwell:

Striped and Hybrid Bass: Good. Captain Bill Plumley reports that striper and hybrid fishing remains strong. Fish are in the main channel on the lower end of the lake 50-70 feet down over 90-150 feet of water. Most fish are concentrated over trees and along old creek channels. Down lining live herring is the number one way to catch fish right now.
Catfish: Good. Captain Bill Plumley reports that channel catfish continue to feed well. Fish are scattered out across the whole lake in 12-20 feet of water, with catches of small to medium sized fish strong. Dip (stink) bait, especially Hoss’ Hog Bait, has been most productive. There have also been some big channel catfish picked up recently in 50-60 foot deep water on cut herring. Blue catfish have generally moved out to deeper water where they are difficult to catch in the Lake Hartwell timber, although a few have been picked up at night. Flatheads are biting well at night on live bream fished around 20-35 foot deep brush.
Black Bass: Fair. Guide Brad Fowler reports that bass are spread out from very shallow water to deep water, and fishing has remained pretty tough. Fish are being caught on buzzbaits, topwater lures, shakey head worms, and crankbaits, and in recent tournaments anglers have fished a variety of different patterns. A clearer pattern should develop soon as water temperatures cool.
Crappie: Slow. Captain Bill Plumley reports that some crappie are still being caught under lights at night around deeper bridges and brush piles in 10-20 feet of water. Anglers are fishing both minnows and jigs. Daytime action is very slow but will improve as temperatures cool.

Piedmont Area

Lake Russell:

Black Bass: Very good. Guide Wendell Wilson reports that bass are feeding very well around bait schools 20-25 feet deep in large coves in the mid-lake. Whether the coves have brush or not is unimportant – the presence of bait schools is the key. Drop shot rigs fished just off the bottom and baited with a plastic worm or live minnows will produce, and jigging spoons are also working. Largemouth bass (particularly small ones) are mixed in with spots. To target bigger largemouth the best bet is fishing a fluke or a Spook up the river around stumps on the edge of the channel. Fishing the timber flats just off the main lake is almost always a good bet, too.
White and yellow perch: Good. Guide Wendell Wilson reports that fishing minnows just off the bottom in 25-30 feet of water in the lower lake around the mouth of the Rocky River is the best pattern. Yellow perch have all of a sudden started to appear again. Catfish: Fair to good. Guide Wendell Wilson reports that the best bet for catfish is fishing on the bottom around the large bait schools found in major coves. Anchor and put out cut herring offerings on the bottom, and don’t be afraid to chum to draw in the cats.
Crappie: Fair. Guide Wendell Wilson reports that the crappie can be caught 10-12 feet down over brush 15-20 feet deep on minnows fished on a tight line. The mid-lake, Beaverdam Creek and the Rocky River are good places to look.
Striped bass: Fair. Guide Wendell Wilson reports that for another week or so the best pattern will be free lining live herring, trout or gizzard shad below the Hartwell Dam, but very soon fish will scatter out down the lake and in the creeks. Fishing will then be hit or miss until the gulls arrive in November and make targeting schools easier.

Lake Thurmond:

Striped and Hybrid Bass: Good. Captain William Sasser reports that striper and hybrid fishing is on fire. On the lower end of the lake early and late the schooling activity is excellent. The majority of fish are in the 2-3 pound range, but hybrids up to 8 pounds have been caught mixed in and bigger fish are below. Poppers, Ice Flies and other lures will catch fish. The best bet for big striper is fishing live herring 70 feet down over 80-90 feet of water around the thermocline. On a recent trip Captain Sasser’s boat caught 40 fish over 10 pounds!
Black bass: Fair. Buckeye Lures in Augusta reports that bass fishing is improving on Clarks Hill. Buzzbaits and floating worms have both been working pretty well early or all day on overcast days – just pick a bank and work your way down it. Fish are also being caught off points on jigs and Carolina rigs. There is some sporadic schooling activity across the lake, but most of the fish on top are smaller.
Catfish: Fair. Captain William Sasser reports that big flatheads are being caught on the Parksville and Georgia flats at night, but they are scattered. Anchor live bream on the bottom in 15-20 feet of water to catching roaming, feeding flatheads. Channel catfish are being caught on the bottom in 30-40 feet of water.

Lake Wylie:

Catfish: Good. Captain Rodger Taylor reports that large schools of baby shad can be seen most of the day, but they are especially notable early and late when the winds are light. Game fish are on the surface feeding on the shad. The best bet for catfish right now is drifting with cut white perch or bream, which stay on the hook better than shad. Channel catfish are most likely to be caught in the creeks or shallower open water, but blue catfish – traditionally more associated with the river channel and deeper water flats – are expanding their range into these areas too. Both fish can be picked up on the same drifts, and right now 24 feet is the ideal depth. Finally, the flathead fishing continues to be strong, another sign the population is doing very well. Night fishing with live bait around cover and structure is the best bet, and don’t forget to give the fish time when he picks up your bait.
White perch: Fair to good. Captain Rodger Taylor reports that white perch are starting to be more cooperative again, although finding them is still tougher than last year for most anglers. 24 feet has been a good depth range to fish minnows or worms vertically on a Sabiki rig, but the schools have been moving on before you can really whack them.
Largemouth Bass: Improving. FLW Professional and Guide Matt Arey reports that fish are transitioning into the backs as the weather cools and bait moves into the creeks and pockets. Big Spooks, spinnerbaits and other shad imitations are the best bet as these fish are almost completely related to bait schools. Be on the lookout for schooling activity, particularly on cloudy days when topwater activity will continue all day long. Small grubs or blade baits are good options for schooling bass.

Midlands Area

Lake Greenwood:

Catfish: Good. Captain Chris Simpson reports that the daytime bite is improving and is almost as good as the night bite. The best approach remains anchoring on humps and points in 5-20 feet of water and fan casting baits to different depths. During the day fish are on the deeper side of the range, and at night they are on the shallower side. For numbers of fish use dip (stink) bait and shrimp, and for fewer but larger fish put out cut and live bait offerings.
Largemouth Bass: Fair. Sportsman’s Friend reports that cooler weather has improved the bass bite on Lake Greenwood. Early and late there has been good topwater activity, and on cloudy days fish may be willing to feed on the surface all day long. Buzzbaits and floating worms are good bets. Worms and jigs fished 10-12 feet deep around brush are both catching fish. Sporadic school activity continues across the lake, with largemouth, striper, and white perch feeding together.
Crappie: (unchanged from Sept. 29) Fair. Sportsman’s Friend reports that crappie fishing is also improving. Fishing 10-12 feet deep around brush with jigs is the best pattern.

Lake Wateree:

Catfish: Good. Captain Rodger Taylor recommends drifting flats in 9-15 feet of water with cut white perch. Bait schools and fish are moving into the creeks. Anchoring with large pieces of cut bait, especially when there is current, is a good option if you want to target trophy-sized fish.
Crappie: Fair. Will Hinson of the Southern Crappie Tournament Trail reports that fish are still related to brush, but now they are around shallower brush in 12-16 feet. Fish are still in the main lake, but now you should look closer to the banks instead of in the main channel. Jigs are still working best, especially Fish Stalker Ugly Green, Pearl White and Robin Egg (blue with metallic flakes). However, the bite on minnows has improved.
Largemouth Bass: FLW Professional Dearal Rodgers reports that shad and the fish are moving toward the creeks. Try deep and medium running crankbaits on points and channel swings in the creeks. Everything will move shallow in the next few weeks, so it’s a good idea to check docks with a jig on a daily basis. The sun will also control the depth of the bait (shad) this time of year. When the sun is out, the shad are often near the surface, and it’s a good idea to throw a double willow spinner bait, or a square billed shallow running crankbait. Try buzzbaits in the mornings for topwater activity.

Lake Murray:

Striped Bass: Very good. Lake World reports that striped bass fishing is as strong as it has been in years. There is phenomenal schooling activity across the lower half of the lake, and a very high percentage of keepers are being reported. Trolling Stretch 25s and bucktails, free-lining live herring and fishing down rods with herring 25-30 feet deep have all been productive. Fish are no longer being caught very deep near the dam.
Catfish: Good. Captain Chris Simpson reports that the daytime bite has improved, and a few blues and channel catfish are starting to be caught drifting in water 25-40 feet deep. However, the most productive pattern is still anchoring on points and humps that will allow you to cover a wide range of depths until you find the most productive zone. 10-30 feet has been the best range, with fish sometimes a little shallower at night. Cut herring or perch, shrimp, and stink bait are the best baits. Captain Chris reminds everyone that the outstanding fall drift bite is just around the corner!
Largemouth Bass: Fair. Captain Doug Lown reports that weights have improved in recent tournaments, but there is a significant drop off after the first few places. That is, a few people are doing well but fishing certainly isn’t easy. The dominant pattern right now is fishing for suspended fish that are chasing bait off points 6-20 feet deep. Fish are bunched up, and certain points are producing while others are not. It seems that on warmer days topwater lures are working well, but on cooler days soft plastics like flukes are doing better twitched just below the surface. Another pattern to try is fishing Texas rigged or shakey head worms around secondary points. When water temperatures drop below 70 degrees the majority of fish will move to the banks.
Crappie: Fair. Captain Brad Taylor reports that the bite remains a little slow, but he suggests fishing in the mid-section of the lake around 25 foot brush. The best brush is on main lake drops in the big water. Use your trolling motor to stay over the brush and drop minnows down 12-20 feet.

Santee Cooper System

Crappie: Good to very good. Captain Steve English reports that the crappie bite is strong around deeper, but not very deep, offshore brushpiles. He is fishing 10-15 feet deep over brush in 17-25 feet of water. It appears that more fish are being caught in the upper lake where 100 plus fish days are not impossible, but average sizes are better in the lower lake where some 2.5 plus pound fish have been caught. Both jigs and minnows are working.
Bream: Good. Captain Steve English reports that bream have moved back to brushpiles in 8-15 feet of water where they are feeding well on crickets. In the canal fish are biting well on worms fished 7-10 feet deep around grass.
Largemouth bass: Fair. Captain Jimmie Hair reports that air and water temperatures have dropped and the bass fishing has improved. Bait is moving into the creeks and bass are following them. The best pattern has been fishing soft plastics around wood and grass, where he has been catching good numbers of 2-3 pound fish. Senkos, fluke-type lures or jigs will all work, but topwater lures have been slow to this point. Captain Hair reminds anglers that with water levels down they need to be very careful running the lakes. Captain Inky Davis reports that fishing is improving with cooler temperatures. Fishing will continue to get better as water temperatures continue to drop, but crankbaits, lipless crankbaits, tail spinners and soft plastics have all been producing.
Catfish: Improving. Captain Jim Glenn reports that blue catfishing has improved, with better numbers in both lakes and some larger fish being caught. It appears that the bigger blues are being caught drifting in water less than 30 feet deep, while smaller blues seem to be more vulnerable to drifting in deeper water. Fresh cut herring, shad and perch are the most popular baits.