May 5

Lake Wylie is at 97.5% of full pool and the lake is muddy. Morning surface water temperatures are in the 70-degree range.   

The crappie spawn is winding down on Lake Wylie, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that a lot of crappie are moving back into deeper water in the creeks. Post-spawn fish can be caught either long-line trolling jigs in 15-20 feet or fishing 2-hook rigs tipped with small minnows. Some of the fish are on the bottom, but especially in the muddy conditions a high percentage are suspended in 10-14 feet.

The spawn is not completely over since and they are still catching some fish with eggs, and Chris estimates that about 10% of fish will still spawn. 

Finally, he notes that muddy conditions slow down the crappie fishing but when things clear the bite should pick up again.  

 

Weights have dropped off a little in bass fishing tournaments on Lake Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that in the Thursday night tournaments it has taken about 14 pounds for the win. Part of that is because fish are in something of an in-between stage, with the shad spawn dying off except in some isolated places, the bass spawn winding down, and fish starting to transition out to deeper haunts. Secondary points and depth changes in major creeks in the 8-13 foot range are good places to look, at least before the lake got muddy. Target them with big worms and crankbaits.

However, especially with the muddy conditions for right now Reid suggests focusing on shallower water and fishing spinnerbaits, Chatterbaits, and crankbaits around riprap and other hard cover where shad could be spawning. The muddy water will keep fish shallow for now. 

It’s still a really good catfish bite on Lake Wylie, and Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that fish are migrating up the lake and males are starting to get very dark in preparation for the spawn. The best bite is shallow, with most of the fish in the 8-22 pound range but the occasional bigger one mixed in. 

Cut gizzard shad is working well. 

April 21

Lake Wylie is at 97.3% of full pool and the water is stained with some debris in the upper lake. Morning surface water temperatures have hit about 70. 

It’s once again a really good catfish bite on Lake Wylie, and Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that fish are migrating up the lake and males are starting to get very dark in preparation for the spawn. The best bite is shallow, with most of the fish in the 8-22 pound range but the occasional bigger one mixed in. They also caught a 41-pound flathead in the South Fork earlier this week!

Cut gizzard shad is working well. 

The crappie spawn continues to progress on Lake Wylie, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that a lot of the fish have finished spawning and are moving away from the banks and back into the main part of the creeks. These fish can be targeted long-line trolling jigs in 10-25 feet of water.

Anglers also still have a few more weeks to catch the remaining 25% of fish that have not spawned yet. They are around shallow cover down the banks and will take minnows and jigs under a cork. By the end of April the shallow bite will be winding down. 

It’s still pretty much the peak time for bass fishing on Lake Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that it’s that time of year when you can basically go down the bank and catch fish however you want.  Fish are at all three stages of the spawn, but with more spawning and post-spawn than pre-spawn, and it’s pretty standard spring fishing. A shaky head or wacky rig is hard to beat, and you can catch fish in any spawning pocket, around docks and around laydowns. There are a ton of fish on beds right now. 

The shad spawn still does not seem to have started but it should be very, very soon. 

April 11

Lake Wylie is up to 98.7% of full pool and the lower lake is still clear while the South Fork is very muddy. Morning surface water temperatures have dropped several degrees into the lower 60s. 

It’s the peak time for bass fishing on Lake Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that it’s that time of year when you can basically go down the bank and catch fish however you want.   Fish are at all three stages of the spawn, but with more spawning and post-spawn than pre-spawn, and it’s pretty standard spring fishing. A shaky head or wacky rig is hard to beat, and you can catch fish in any spawning pocket, around docks and around laydowns. 

Especially with the cold front slowing things down a shad spawn has not yet been reported, but it should be coming any time. 

Despite the cold snap, The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that crappie are on the banks and spawning. Most of the fish are in less than 10 feet of water related to structure such as brush, docks, or riprap, and as with the bass you can basically just go down the bank and catch fish. A minnow or jig under a cork is hard to beat. 

There are some other ways to target crappie, but with fish on the banks there’s not much else that people are looking to do. 

A few days ago the catfish bite still rated as very good, and Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) will be out on the water checking to see if the cold snap had any effect on the pre-spawn bite. However, even if it slowed things down for a day or two there’s every reason to believe that with temperatures rebounding the creek shallows are again where the best fishing is going to be. Fish have been biting well on fresh cut gizzard shad anchored in 6-15 feet of water on afternoons when the water warms, and they are getting some good-sized fish up to the mid-20s and bigger.

March 30

Lake Wylie is at 97.2% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are finally in the 60s again. 

With water temperatures warming again, The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that crappieare finally moving shallow. They don’t all go at once, but some crappie are hitting the banks to spawn and they can be caught around shallow cover on a cork and jig or minnows. Others are still off the bank in the back half of the creeks where they can be caught trolling jigs in 10-20 feet of water. There should be at least two more big waves of spawners between now and May. 

The catfish bite now rates as very good, and Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that the creek shallows are still where the best fishing is. The fish are biting well on fresh cut gizzard shad anchored in 6-15 feet of water on afternoons when the water warms, and they are getting some good-sized fish up to the mid-20s and bigger.

A bass report will follow from tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill after the Fishers of Men National Championship on Hartwell. 

March 16

Lake Wylie is at 97.0% of full pool and the lake is fairly clear again. Morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 50s. 

The cold snap this week will slow the progression of crappie to the banks for a few days, but The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that it won’t last long because the urge to spawn has kicked in so much by the middle to end of March. For now most of the fish are in 20-25 feet of water in the creeks, and they will continue to slowly but surely move further back into the creeks in preparation for the spawn in 2-3 weeks. Long-lining jigs remains the best way to catch a mess of fish. 

Likewise the same is true for the bass on Lake Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that the cold snap will at most pause the progression to the banks but it’s not going to send the fish back to deeper water. Since they weren’t actually on beds yet even when it was very warm it has at most stalled their forward progress. 

The best areas continue to be points with stumps and rocks, docks, and just outside of spawning pockets. You can also just beat the bank with a shaky head or wacky rig and get bites right now. The best action seems to be in the creeks for bass as well.

The catfish bite rates as good right now, and Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that the creek shallows are still where the best fishing is.  The fish are biting well on fresh cut gizzard shad anchored in 6-15 feet of water on afternoons when the water warms, and they are getting some good-sized fish up to the mid-20s.

March 9

Lake Wylie is at 96.9% of full pool and the lake is fairly clear again. Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid- to upper 50s in the main channel but in the low 60s in the creeks. 

By now the crappie are in the creeks in a progression that will continue to move the fish towards the banks unless a cold snap drops water temperatures back into the 50s, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that with each passing week the fish continue to move a little shallower. Now most fish are being caught in 15-25 feet of water long-lining or deep trolling with jigs. They have not yet moved shallow towards the banks, but it’s coming. 

Likewise the bass on Lake Wylie are all staging and in pre-spawn phase, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that the fishing has been pretty good. It has been taking 18-19 pounds to win tournaments.

The best areas have been points with stumps and rocks, docks, and spawning pockets – even though Reid doesn’t believe any fish are actually bedding yet. You can also just beat the bank with a shaky head or wacky rig and get bites right now.  The best action seems to be in the creeks for bass, too.

The catfish bite rates as good right now, and Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that with the channel much cooler than the creek shallows that’s also where the best fishing is. The fish are biting well on fresh cut gizzard shad anchored in 6-15 feet of water, and they are getting some good-sized fish up to the mid-20s.

February 24

Lake Wylie is at 96.9% of full pool and some areas of the lake are stained. Morning surface water temperatures have jumped into the mid-50s. 

It’s still good bass fishing on Lake Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that pretty much all the recent tournaments have been won with 18-20 plus pounds of bass. That’s a far cry from where things were a few months ago!

Even as the water warms fish are still pretty far away from spawning, but they are definitely getting into pre-spawn mode. Largemouth are moving into the creeks and setting up on staging areas like secondary points, channel swings and hard spots. Chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and Alabama rigs will all work, and on the bottom you can fish a worm or a jig. 

The crappie bite continues to change on Wylie, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that the fish are really moving back into the creeks. The trolling bite has picked up as the fish moved shallower this week. Generally the best pattern has been pulling jigs 10-12 feet deep in 15-20 feet of water. As surface temperatures continue to jump fish will get higher in the water column. 

Seasonal factors also continue to push the catfish shallower, and Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that the bite has really improved as fish are feeding up – especially on rising water. The best action is now back in the creeks, and fish are set up in 6-10 feet of water. Cut gizzard shad is the best bait. 

February 15

Lake Wylie is at 98.0% of full pool and the lake is no longer muddy but it varies between a light stain and a darker stain, with the creeks generally dirtier. Morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 40s in the main channel but start out in the lower 50s and the creeks and have gotten as high as 54 or so. 

Fresh off a big win in the Fishin’ 4 Real tournament this Saturday on Lake Wylie, tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that several different patterns helped them get to 19.98 pounds of bass. Overall warming temperatures are starting to push fish back into the creeks, and they even found some fish schooling in the backs. Some anglers report catching three and four bass at a time throwing an Alabama rig. They also caught some fish on a shakey head around docks and points.

Finally, when there is current on the main lake there can be a good a crankbait bite and they weighed several fish caught his way. Other anglers had success fishing the same pattern with a Chatterbait. 

Rain and rising water levels have pushed the catfish shallower, and Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that the bite has really improved as fish are feeding up – especially on rising water. The best action is now back in the creeks, and fish are set up in 6-10 feet of water. Cut gizzard shad is the best bait.  

As water temperatures begin to rise, and crappie start to prepare for the spring spawn,  The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that the fish are moving off the main lake and out of the mouths of creeks and properly into the creeks. You can still catch them tight-lining minnows 20-30 feet deep, but fish are also being caught long-lining jigs. Some of the fish are on the bottom but approximately half of them are suspended in the middle of the water column. 

As water temperatures continue to warm it will switch over to more of a long-lining bite. 

February 2

Lake Wylie is at 97.2% of full pool and much of the lake is still muddy. Morning surface water temperatures are around 50-52 degrees. 

If the lake would stay muddy then that would be one thing, and if it would clear that would be another. But tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that the constant variation from muddy to cleaner is wreaking havoc on the bassfishing as the fish never settle down enough to really feed well. 

Besides the patterns up the river, the best action is coming relatively shallow on main lake and secondary points in the creeks fishing in 5-15 feet of water. There are some fish deep, but they don’t seem to be very catchable. 

In muddier conditions Chatterbaits and spinnerbaits are working, while when water conditions permit Alabama rigs and jerkbaits are working in cleaner water.   

With water temperatures still cold The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that there isn’t much change in the patterns, and both crappie and white perch as still stacked up together in 25-30 feet on main lake flats and at the mouths of creeks related to bait. Some days they are on the bottom while some days they will be suspended 10-15 feet or more down. You still want to fish the cleanest water you can find. 

The preferred method for catching them has been a two-hook rig with minnows fished vertically with a heavy weight, but they are also starting to pick up some fish long-lining jigs behind the boat. When water temperatures get into the mid- to upper-50s then fish will move into the creeks and it will mostly be a long-lining bite.   

Overall it’s still a fair catfish bite right now, but Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that the quality of the bite seems to depend on whether the water level is rising or dropping. On rising water the fish seem to feed best, while on receding water they slow down. For now most fish they are catching are in the 8-16 pound range, but they are still getting the occasional big blue cat in the 30-pound range.

As on Lake Wateree, the best fish are still being caught anchored in shallow sections of the creeks in 4-12 feet of water in the afternoons. Gizzard shad is the most productive bait.

There can also be a drift bite on deep ledges in 22-34 feet of water. 

January 26

Lake Wylie is at 98.2% of full pool and more mud is on the way. Morning surface water temperatures are around 50 degrees. 

Before this most recent round of rain The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that Wylie was starting to clear, but after yesterday’s rain the backs of creeks are already muddy this morning and it is moving towards the mouths.  Both crappie and white perch as still stacked up together in 25-30 feet on main lake flats and the mouths of creeks related to bait, and the key to locating them is really to ride around and find pockets of cleaner water trapped and then fish the clearest water you can. Some days they are on the bottom while some days they will be suspended 10-15 feet or more down. 

The preferred method for catching them has been a two-hook rig with minnows fished vertically with a heavy weight, but they are also starting to pick up some fish long-lining jigs behind the boat.  

It seems now that after every big rain the lake gets striped with mud in certain areas, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that it seems to be a management thing where they are just pulling the water so quickly that it doesn’t stay in one area anymore. After another round of rain the best bass fishing continues to be found in the rivers, with winning 14-16 pound bags repeatedly coming from that section. 

Besides the rivers fish can also be caught around bait in deeper, main lake wintering areas such as drops and secondary points. Alabama rigs have been fishing the best as well as jerkbaits.  

The other strong pattern has been fishing a crankbait around shallow rock, particularly in muddy areas – which are not hard to find right now. 

Overall it’s still a fair catfish bite right now, but Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that the quality of the bite seems to depend on whether the water level is rising or dropping. On rising water the fish seem to feed best, while on receding water they slow down.  For now most fish they are catching are in the 8-16 pound range, but they are still getting the occasional big blue cat in the 30-pound range.

As on Lake Wateree, the best fish are still being caught anchored in shallow sections of the creeks in 4-12 feet of water in the afternoons. Gizzard shad is the most productive bait.

There can also be a drift bite on deep ledges in 22-34 feet of water. 

January 19

Lake Wylie is at 96.7% of full pool and the lake is still pretty muddy. Morning surface water temperatures are around 50 degrees. 

Even as conditions start to improve the crappie and white perch are still pretty hesitant to eat, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that you still need to fish very slowly and keep the minnow in front of their mouths as long as possible.

 Both species are still stacked up together, and they can be caught in open water in the front half of the creeks in 25-30 feet related to bait. Some days they are on the bottom while some days they will be suspended 10-15 feet or more down. 

The preferred method for catching them is with a two-hook rig with minnows fished vertically, and Captain Chris likes to use at least a 1.5 ounce bell weight to make sure it hangs exactly how deep the fish are sitting. 

Again, move slowly. 

Overall it’s still a fair catfish bite right now, and Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that most fish are in the 8-16 pound range but they are getting the occasional big blue cat in the 30-pound range.

As on Lake Wateree, the best fish are still being caught anchored in shallow sections of the creeks in 4-12 feet of water in the afternoons. Gizzard shad is the most productive bait.

There can also be a drift bite on deep ledges in 22-34 feet of water. 

Bass report to follow. 

January 13

Lake Wylie is at 97.1% of full pool and sections of the lake are muddy from end to end. Water temperatures are in the lower 50s. 

With a ton of freshwater having flowed into Wylie over the last week or two the lake the lake ranges from dingy to muddy, and it can best be described as striped. Overall it’s a fair catfish bite right now, and Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that most fish are in the 8-16 pound range but they are getting the occasional big blue cat in the 30-pound range.

As on Lake Wateree, the best fish are being caught anchored in shallow sections of the creeks in 4-12 feet of water in the afternoons. Gizzard shad is the most productive bait.

There can also be a drift bite on deep ledges in 22-34 feet of water. 

There’s not a lot of change with the bass on Lake Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that the biggest bags continue to be caught up the river with all the current ripping into the lake. Recent tournaments have been won with about 16 pounds. 

Fish can also be caught around bait in deeper, main lake wintering areas such as drops and secondary points. Alabama rigs have been fishing the best as well as jerkbaits.  

The other strong pattern has been fishing a crankbait around shallow rock, particularly in muddy areas – which are not hard to find right now. 

Even with the mud it’s still a good bite for crappie and white perch, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that really the only adjustment anglers need to make with the water conditions is to slow way down and really dangle a minnow in front of their mouths. Both species are still stacked up together, and they can be caught in open water in the front half of the creeks in 25-30 feet related to bait. Some days they are on the bottom while some days they will be suspended 10-15 feet or more down. 

The preferred method for catching them is with a two-hook rig with minnows fished vertically, and Captain Chris likes to use at least a 1.5 ounce bell weight to make sure it hangs exactly how deep the fish are sitting. 

Again, slow way down. 

January 5

Lake Wylie is at 99.3% of full pool and the lake is muddy. Water temperatures are in the lower 50s. 

Before yesterday about ¾ of Lake Wylie was muddy, but you could still find some clearer creeks. Tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that those were fishing the best for bass, but with the monsoon yesterday the whole lake is bound to be blown out and you won’t be able to concentrate fishing activity in relatively clean water. 

As expected fish have finally moved fully into winter patterns, and the best bags seem to be coming fishing around bait in deeper, main lake wintering areas such as drops and secondary points. Alabama rigs have been fishing the best as well as jerkbaits. There have been some pretty good catches up to about 17 pounds fishing this way. 

The other strong pattern has been fishing a crankbait around shallow rock, and Reid has had the most success this way. Muddy conditions all over the lake could make this bite the best thing going. 

It’s a really good bite for crappie and white perch, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that both species are still stacked up like cord wood. They can be caught together with similar techniques. The best fishing remains in open water in the front half of the creeks in 25-30 feet related to bait. Some days they are on the bottom while some days they will be suspended 10-15 feet or more down. 

The preferred method for catching them is with a two-hook rig with minnows fished vertically, and Captain Chris likes to use at least a 1.5 ounce bell weight to make sure it hangs exactly how deep the fish are sitting. 

Catfish report to follow.