September 30

Lake Hartwell water levels are down to 659.01 (full pool is 660.00) and the water is clear. Morning surface water temperatures are down to about 79 degrees.

With water temperatures having only dropped a few more degrees Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports that the movement of striped bass up the lake and out the river arms has essentially stalled out, and fish are still in basically the same places where they were two weeks ago. They are still in the top 25 feet of the water column over deep water in the Savannah, Seneca and Tugaloo, and they have only moved back a little ways into the creeks. There are a few deeper fish 40-50 feet down but this is not a major pattern.  

There continues to be some surface activity but the fish are still extremely boat shy, and so numbers are a little down. You can either cast artificial lures or let them swim onto relatively shallow down-lines. 

Even though the best bass fishing on Lake Hartwell is still offshore right now, Guide Brad Fowler reports that the shallow bite is also starting to improve. Fish have not really moved back into the creeks following bait yet, but bass are on the verge of making that move as bait is just beginning its migration.  For now pockets off the main lake and the mouths of creeks are both holding shallow fish. A buzzbait is a good shallow option as is a square-billed crankbait, and if you can find some colored water a spinnerbait can be good.  

Offshore drop shot rigs will still catch plenty of fish and the topwater bite has also been decent with small jerkbaits, Spook Juniors or the smallest Sammys.

The catfish and shellcracker bite is still fair on Lake Hartwell, and Captain Bill Plumley reports that both species are in about 20 feet of water. Worms fished over sand will catch both species, while to target channels you can expand your offerings to include everything from herring to chicken livers to dip baits and look over a greater range of bottoms.   

Flatheads can also be caught fishing large live baits around trees, but how deep you need to target them depends on the time of day. At night they will get into just a few feet of water, while during the day they will be in 30-50 feet. 

September 16

Lake Hartwell water levels are down to 659.73 (full pool is 660.00) and water temperatures are around 83. 

The striped bass fishing on Lake Hartwell has gotten exciting, and Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports that early in the morning the fish are schooling very well on top. He is finding them in the top 25 feet of the water column over deep water in the Savannah, Seneca and Tugaloo, and the fish they were on yesterday were over 153 feet of water in the Savannah! Overall the fish are just starting to inch their way back into the creeks.

The hardest part of catching the fish is staying with them, and after months of fishing pressure they are very boat shy. While you can cast artificial lures at the fish a couple of down lines and 4 or 5 free lines are often working better for guide parties, but you really have to approach them very slowly with the trolling motor or ideally let them come to you. One reason early morning is better is because fish can’t see the boat as easily.  The fish are generally on 3-4 inch bait and if you can get a bait near them they will eat it.  

The consensus is that the best bass fishing on Lake Hartwell is offshore right now, and Guide Brad Fowler reports that he hasn’t really heard of a good shallow bite. Nor is he seeing many fish shallow around docks. The BFL was won with 29 pounds over two days and most of the top bags were reportedly caught offshore. 

Drop shot rigs will catch plenty of fish, but the topwater bite has also been good even though fish are on small bait. You should downsize to small jerkbaits, Spook Juniors or the smallest Sammys,

The catfish and shellcracker bite has gotten even slower on Lake Hartwell, although Captain Bill Plumley reports that both species can still be found in 15-20 feet of water. Channel catfish can also be caught from that range out to 55 feet. 

Worms fished over sand will catch both species, while to target channels you can expand your offerings to including everything from herring to chicken livers to dip baits and look over a greater range of bottoms.   

Flatheads can also be caught fishing large live baits around trees, but how deep you need to target them depends on the time of day. At night they will get into just a few feet of water, while during the day they will be in 30-50 feet. 

September 2

Lake Hartwell water levels are down to 660.48 (full pool is 660.00) and water temperatures are still in the mid-60s. 

It’s still a very good bite for hybrid bass early in the morning, and Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports that overnight bait congregates on the bottom in 30-35 feet of water around road beds, humps and shoals and then the hybrids gorge on them in the wee hours. After that initial feeding binge the bite really slows in the morning, but you can find some hybrids and striped bass suspended 40-60 feet down near the dam on the edges of the Savannah River channel in 80-100 feet of water. The afternoon bite continues to be better than the mid-morning action. 

The bass fishing is still slow on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Brad Fowler reports that the topwater bite for suspended offshore fish is off right now and dropping lake levels have also hurt the shallow bite. He is still seeing the occasional fish cruising, but there don’t seem to be as many around the banks right now. The water temperatures are still about as high as they have been all year, and it won’t be until they start to drop that the fishing really improves. 

You can still catch plenty of small spots fishing a drop shot around brush. 

The catfish and shellcracker bite now rates as fair on Hartwell, and Captain Bill Plumley reports that both species can be found in 15-20 feet of water. Channel catfish can also be caught from that range out to 55 feet. 

Worms fished over sand will catch both species, while to target channels you can expand your offerings to including everything from herring to chicken livers to dip baits and look over a greater range of bottoms.   

Flatheads can also be caught fishing large live baits around trees, but how deep you need to target them depends on the time of day. At night they will get into just a few feet of water, while during the day they will be in 30-50 feet. 

August 20

Lake Hartwell water levels have shot back up to 661.37 (full pool is 660.00) after the torrential rains, and while the main lake has stayed clear some of the backs have gotten a little cloudy.  (It would be highly unusual for the lake to get muddy during the summer). Morning surface temperatures dropped from 87 to 84 this week, but they will probably return to the high 80s soon.  

Early in the morning it’s still a very good bite for hybrid bass, and Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports that they are catching the fish in about 35 feet of water off points on down-lines.  After the early bite morning fishing gets sluggish even though you can mark a ton of fish, but then again in the afternoon the fish are feeding better. This is likely a function of when they are generating power at the dam and the current seems to activate the fish. Instead of catching 2 or 3 in a school of 100 you can catch 10-20.

In the afternoon the fish are usually suspended 40-60 feet down along the edge of the river channel in 100-140 feet of water. They are not usually in the actual channel, which is 155-170 feet deep.

Most of the fish are now within about 5 miles of the dam, from the “junction” of Sadlers Creek and Lightwood Log south. 

The bass fishing has slowed some more on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Brad Fowler reports that getting bites has been pretty tough. There are still a few suspended fish feeding on top, but the easier way to get bites is to fish a drop shot around brush for smaller spots. It could be a function of stained water, but Brad has not seen much in the way of shallow activity the last couple of weeks. The wolf packs he was seeing cruising seem absent. 

Overall this is likely the slowest period of the whole year, and it probably won’t be until temperatures drop that the topwater action really comes on. That used to be in mid to late September, but more often recently it has been in October. 

The catfish and shellcracker bite is still good on Hartwell, but Captain Bill Plumley reports that both species have gone deeper and he is now catching them in 15-20 feet of water. Channel catfish can also be caught from that range out to 55 feet. 

Worms fished over sand will catch both species, while to target channels you can expand your offerings to including everything from herring to chicken livers to dip baits and look over a greater range of bottoms.   

Flatheads can also be caught fishing large live baits around trees, but how deep you need to target them depends on the time of day. At night they will get into just a few feet of water, while during the day they will be in 30-50 feet. 

August 6

Lake Hartwell water levels are finally down below full pool at 659.88 (full pool is 660.00)! Morning surface water temperatures had gotten into the upper 80s but have dropped to about 83. 

The front briefly messed with the hybrid and striped bass fishing earlier this week, but Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports that was only temporary. As of 7:06 this morning they had already caught 27! Early in the morning fish are mostly still in about 35-40 feet of water off points. 

During the day the front briefly caused fish to get on the bottom more in 50-60 feet, but by now they are more back to normal suspended over trees 30-40 feet down over 50-70 feet of water. 

By now most of the fish have made their way down the lake, and they are catching them in the main Savannah River run (or just off it) or near the dam, including in creeks on the lower end. 

Down-lines are still the most effective, although occasionally there is some schooling activity. 

The bass fishing has slowed a little on Lake Hartwell, with Guide Brad Fowler reporting that, although there are still suspended fish feeding on bait on the main lake that will take topwater lures, that action has dropped off.  The best pattern this week has probably been fishing a drop shot around brush, particularly out on humps. 

Even though water levels have dropped a little, they are still very high and so there are still plenty of fish up shallow feeding on bream. Topwater lures, Senkos and more will work.

The catfish and shellcracker bite is still good on Hartwell, but Captain Bill Plumley reports that one surprise this week was that his boat picked up some decent blue catfish up a cool creek in relatively shallow water. Overall, however, they are still catching far more channels, and his boat is targeting cats and shellcracker in the 8-15 foot range. Channel catfish can also be caught from that range out to 55 feet. 

Worms fished over sand will catch both species, while to target channels you can expand your offerings to including everything from herring to chicken livers to dip baits and look over a greater range of bottoms.   

Flatheads can also be caught fishing large live baits around trees in 15-20 feet of water in the creeks.  While you can fish for them in the dead of night, fishing around dawn from about 3:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. is another good time to target them.

July 28

Lake Hartwell water levels remain very high at 660.84 (full pool is 660.00) but the lake has cleared a little. Morning surface water temperatures are still in the mid-80s. 

There are a few more changes with the hybrid and striped bass bite this week, and one is that Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports that more fish have arrived at the dam. The fish that have not yet left the rivers are also further down.  

Early in the morning fish are generally still on the bottom in about 35-40 feet of water off points, particularly the deep point between two gullies. While during the day there are still some fish relating to ridges and gullies, another change is that more fish have been suspended out over trees this week. There are generally sitting 30-40 feet down over 50-70 feet of water. 

While most of the action is still coming on down-lines, there are some times when fish will come up to take a free-line pitched to them. And at rare times they will even school. 

It continues to be a better-than-expected period for bass fishing on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Brad Fowler reports that fishing with topwater lures for suspended fish that are feeding on bait on the main lake is still the best thing going. Sometimes they are schooling and at other times they will come up to take a fluke or topwater lure.  This pattern will land largemouth and spotted bass, and some really big spots were boated this week.  

You can also still catch fish on a shakey head or drop shot around brush, and with high water levels there are also plenty of fish feeding on bream around the banks. Topwater lures, Senkos and more will work.

The catfish and shellcracker bite is still good on Hartwell, and Captain Bill Plumley reports that his boat is again catching both species in the 8-15 foot range. Channel catfish can also be caught from that range out to 55 feet. 

Worms fished over sand will catch both species, while to target channels you can expand your offerings to including everything from herring to chicken livers to dip baits and look over a greater range of bottoms.   

Flatheads can also be caught fishing large live baits around trees in 15-20 feet of water in the creeks, although this week the action has been a little slow. While you can fish for them in the dead of night, fishing around dawn from about 3:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. is another good time to target them.

July 21

With recent rains Lake Hartwell water levels have shot up 8-10 inches to 660.79 (full pool is 660.00). While the creeks are muddy the main lake is still gin clear. Morning surface water temperatures dropped a degree to about 83.5 degrees. 

It continues to be a better-than-expected time for bass fishing on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Brad Fowler reports that this July is fishing way better than the last few Julys. Fish are still on a bunch of different patterns, but the best action probably continues to be targeting suspended fish that are feeding on bait on the main lake. Sometimes they are schooling and at other times they will come up to take a fluke or topwater lure. 

You can also still catch fish on a shakey head or drop shot around brush, and on this next full moon there should again be a lot of fish pulled up around bream beds.  Topwater lures, Senkos and more will work. 

There are finally some significant changes with the hybrid and striped bass, and Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports that fish are starting to move out of the rivers. There are already a lot of fish at the dam, and the fish that have not yet left the rivers are much further down.

Early in the morning fish are generally on the bottom in about 35-40 feet of water off points, particularly the deep point between two gullies. During the day they are start to relate better to the ridges and gullies themselves, with some fish on the bottom in 45-50 feet of water and a few suspended over the tops of trees in 70-80 feet. More will move into this pattern in August. 

While most of the action is coming on down-lines, there have been occasional times when fish will come up to take a free-line pitched to them. One recent day when it was raining there was even some schooling on the surface. 

The catfish and shellcracker bite has picked up a again on Hartwell, and Captain Bill Plumley reports that his boat is again catching both species in the 8-15 foot range.  Channel catfish can also be caught from that range out to 55 feet.  

Worms fished over sand will catch both species, while to target channels you can expand your offerings to including everything from herring to chicken livers to dip baits. 

Flatheads can also be caught fishing large live baits around trees in 15-20 feet of water in the creeks, although this week the action has been a little slow. While you can fish for them in the dead of night, fishing around dawn from about 3:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. is another good time to target them.

July 8

Lake Hartwell water levels are still very high at 660.42 (full pool is 660.00) and the lake remains very clear. Morning surface water temperatures are about 84 degrees. 

June used to be a really good month for bass on Lake Hartwell, and with conditions running a little behind this year Guide Brad Fowler reports that right now the lake is fishing like June used to. There is still a little bit of everything going on, but the most exciting action Brad has found has been that some big largemouth are schooling on the main lake near sunken cover. He has seen four- and five-pound fish chasing herring, and while you have to hit them almost on the nose while they are up, they will take topwater lures if you get the right cast. It hasn’t just been one day or one spot, and this pattern has repeated itself in different but similar areas. 

You can also still catch fish on a shakey head or drop shot around brush, and there are also a ton of fish up shallow around bream beds. While they will take a Pop-R or frog, overall these fish are pretty skittish and they are easier to see in the clear water than catch. 

Working the bank with a buzzbait has also been productive. 

The hybrid and striped bass continue to exceed expectations from 2020 on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Chip Hamilton(864-304-9011) reports that numbers continue to be very good. In his last trip they got 26 hybrids and striper to go with nine spots (good ones), two catfish and one perch.  Right now the spots and mingling with the hybrids.  

Again there are a few more fish showing up at the dam, but overall the best concentrations remain about mid-way down the rivers and creeks. The early bite is in 20-25 feet of water off points, while later on they are in more like 40-45 feet.  

While everything is coming on down-lines, there is still sporadic schooling which will periodically give away the locations of the fish even if they don’t stay up for long.

The catfish and shellcracker bite seems to have slowed a bit on Hartwell, and Captain Bill Plumley reports that catches for both species are down in 2-20 feet of water across the lake.  It could be that the coming storm slowed down the action, in which case the fishing is likely to be good after the storm.  

Worms will catch both species, while if you want to target just channel cats then cut bait, shrimp, dip baits and more will also work. The common denominator for finding both species together is that they will be around sand, as most of what shellcracker eat lives in sand and channels will feed on the same stuff. 

Flatheads can also be caught fishing large live baits around trees in 15-20 feet of water in the creeks. While you can fish for them in the dead of night, fishing around dawn from about 3:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. is another good time to target them.

June 23

Lake Hartwell water levels are still very high at 661.22 (full pool is 660.00) and the lake is very clear. Morning surface water temperatures are 82-83 degrees. 

It’s been a really good year so far for hybrid and striped bass on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports that there’s no doubt that 2021 is fishing way better than 2020 did. They are catching very good numbers of fish, and each day for about the last week they have caught thirty plus.

More fish are showing up at the dam, but overall the best concentrations are still about mid-way down the rivers and creeks. Now the early bite is in 20-25 feet of water off points, while later on they are in more like 40-45 feet.   

While everything is coming on down-lines, there is some very sporadic schooling which will periodically give away the locations of the fish even if they don’t stay up for long.

One morning Chip saw 4 or 5 fish run up bait off a steep bank in about 20 feet of water, and when he idled over he marked a huge school of fish in 40 feet just away from the ones that had been on top. 

There are still a bunch of different ways to target bass on Hartwell, and even though high water levels change the bite a bit Guide Brad Fowler reports that fishing has been decent. 

The combination of the June 24 full moon and high water levels have a ton of bream up shallow, and Brad is seeing a lot of wolfpacks roaming the shallows. Buzzbaits, Pop-Rs and subsurface baits can all work. 

Brad has also caught some fish suspended near deep brush on flukes, and then there is a pretty good offshore bite with Carolina rigs and big worms on a Texas rig around humps, drops and of course brush. 

The catfish and shellcracker bite is still good on Hartwell, and Captain Bill Plumley reports that both species can be found in 2-20 feet of water across the lake.  Worms will catch both species, while if you want to target just channel cats then cut bait, shrimp, dip baits and more will also work.  The few shellcracker that are still spawning will of course still eat, but the channel catfish are less likely to feed during the spawn.  But they don’t all spawn at once.

The common denominator for finding both species together is that they will be around sand, as most of what shellcracker eat lives in sand and channels will feed on the same stuff. 

Flatheads can also be caught fishing large live baits around trees in 15-20 feet of water in the creeks. While you can fish for them in the dead of night, fishing around dawn from about 3:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. is another good time to target them.

June 10

Lake Hartwell water levels are still very high at 661.44 (full pool is 660.00) and the lake remains clear. Morning surface water temperatures are in the lower 80s.   

The hybrid and striped bass on Lake Hartwell are still in the same general areas, and Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports that even though a few fish are showing up at the dam the best concentrations are still about mid-way down the rivers and creeks.  They have pushed a little deeper, however, and the early bite is now in more like 15-20 feet off points. When the sun gets up they get into 30-40 feet of water in the same areas. The good news is the bite has gotten a little more prolonged, with good fishing lasting until about 9 o’clock. 

Overall numbers are very good with some big fish mixed in.

At the same time that the striper seem to be getting into a good warm water pattern, Guide Brad Fowler is less enthusiastic about the bass bite. Fish have moved into a full-on summer pattern, and as is normal at this time of year on Hartwell there is a little bit of everything going on but nothing is great. 

High water levels have probably kept a few more fish shallow, and there are a lot of bass up shallow cruising that will take buzzbaits and Pop-Rs as well as subsurface baits. There are tons of bream around the banks. 

At the same time high water levels are not as good for the offshore topwater bite because fish aren’t set up as well. You can still catch some fish on top but the better pattern may be fishing with a drop-shot rig. 

 The catfish bite is still predictable and solid on Hartwell, and Captain Bill Plumley reports that the channel cats can be found in 2-20 feet of water across the lake. They will take cut bait, worms, shrimp and processed dip baits. 

Flatheads can also be caught fishing large live baits around trees in 15-20 feet of water in the creeks. While you can fish for them in the dead of night, fishing around dawn from about 3:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. is another good time to target them.

Finally, there is a good bite for better bream in 8-10 feet of water. Look for sandy spots and fish worms.