January 22

Lake Wylie is at 97.5% of full pool and the lake is very clear. Morning surface water temperatures are around 46-47 degrees. 

The consensus of our three Lake Wylie experts is that fish are pretty locked into winter patterns, but with the upcoming weather it could bring a variety of changes. On the black bass front tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that despite the clear conditions he did have one very good day cranking shallow in less than 10 feet, but the catch was that the wind was howling which always activates that bite. In general the better bags seem to be coming LiveScoping with an Alabama rig, and if temperatures drop he expects the fish to get even more concentrated in the creek and river channels around bait. 

While The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) isn’t expecting the cold to bring pattern change to what has been a phenomenal crappie bite, he is worried about access if the roads get and stay icy with some type of precipitation and very cold temperatures. That would be particularly unfortunate because the fishing is so good and colder temperatures should group the fish up even more in the two main patterns he is fishing.  

First, they are stacked up on deep brush piles in 20-25 feet of water. Cast jigs over top of the brush to catch the more aggressive fish that are suspended above it. Second, crappie are schooled up in the deeper creeks near the bottom in 20-25 feet. In some of the deeper creeks in the lower third of the lake 25 feet is mid-creek, but in the upper two-thirds it puts you at the mouth.  Spider rig minnows near the bottom for these fish. 

Finally, on the catfish front Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) does expect cold weather to slow the action a little. It’s been a good bite for quality fish in the creeks, and they are all over the place in 6-25 feet of water.  Fan-casting and anchoring with white perch has been the best way to catch them. If you can use birds to locate bait schools it improves your chances. 

January 7

Lake Wylie is at 97.4% of full pool and the lake is gin clear. Morning surface water temperatures are around 48-50 degrees. 

The black bass bite has been decent recently accordingly to angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill, who reports that in a recent no-LiveScope tournament 16 pounds won while in third he had just under 13 pounds. With the warming trend he expects there to be some more fish around docks, but it seems right now that the majority of the fish are out deep on bait. They did catch some fish shallow (especially early) on a crankbait, but as the day went on the cranking action was better on drops and points. The top bags seem to be coming throwing an Alabama rig in deeper water. There are also still some good catches on the deeper corners of docks with brush throwing an Alabama rig at targets. 

The crappie bite is still really good on Lake Wylie, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that there continue to be two good patterns he is fishing. First, they are stacked up on deep brush piles in 20-25 feet of water. Cast jigs over top of the brush to catch the more aggressive fish that are suspended above it. Second, crappie are schooled up in the deeper creeks near the bottom in 20-25 feet. In some of the deeper creeks in the lower third of the lake 25 feet is mid-creek, but in the upper two-thirds it puts you at the mouth.  Spider rig minnows near the bottom for these fish. 

Finally, on the catfish front Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that they are still catching quality fish in the creeks. They are all over the place in 6-25 feet of water, and fan-casting and anchoring with white perch has been the best way to catch them. If you can use birds to locate bait schools it improves your chances. 

Captain Chris is also targeting catfish, and he reports that from what he is seeing fish are about equally split between the creeks and the main lake.  His preferred depth range is 25-42 feet in both locations and he is drifting.

December 23

Lake Wylie is at 97.4% of full pool and the lake is overall clear. Morning surface water temperatures are around 46-48 degrees. 

The best thing going on Lake Wylie is still the crappie, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that there continue to be two good patterns he is fishing. First, they are stacked up on deep brush piles in 20-25 feet of water. Cast jigs over top of the brush to catch the more aggressive fish that are suspended above the brush. Second, crappie are schooled up in the deeper creeks near the bottom in 20-25 feet. In some of the deeper creeks in the lower third of the lake 25 feet is mid-creek, but in the upper two-thirds it puts you at the mouth.  Spider rig minnows near the bottom for these fish. 

This weekend Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) also got in on the action but fishing a little deeper. His boat was fishing near the river drop in 40 feet of water and using two-hook live minnow rigs. They found crappie, jumbo white perch, and small blue catfish. 

Speaking of catfish, Captain Rodger reports that it’s not a hot bite but they are catching some really big fish in the creeks. They are all over the place in 6-25 feet of water, and fan-casting and anchoring with white perch has been the best way to catch them. If you can use birds to locate bait schools it improves your chances. 

Captain Chris is also targeting catfish, and he reports that from what he is seeing fish are about equally split between the creeks and the main lake. His preferred depth range is 25-42 feet in both locations and he is drifting, and he notes that as it gets colder he has better success for numbers of fish with small pieces of cut bait like perch or shad. 

Finally, tournament black bass angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that there are still basically two patterns right now. Fish are suspending around bait schools, and so one group of fishermen is generally using LiveScope to cast Alabama rigs, jerkbaits, and minnow-type swimbaits at offshore fish. Some are in the creeks, and some are in the main lake. 

The other major pattern is throwing Alabama rigs at specific targets for fish that are related to something and not just swimming around following bait. Points, docks, and brush piles off the corners of docks are good places to cast. 

December 17

Lake Wylie is at 97.2% of full pool and the lake is overall clear. Morning surface water temperatures have dropped to 46 degrees. 

Plummeting water temperatures have only got the crappie biting better and better, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that there are still two good patterns. First, they are stacked up on deep brush piles in 20-25 feet of water. Cast jigs over top of the brush to catch the more aggressive fish that are suspended above the brush. Second, crappie have moved out of shallow water and have schooled up in the deeper creeks near the bottom in 20-25 feet. In some of the deeper creeks in the lower third of the lake 25 feet is mid-creek, but in the upper two-thirds it puts you at the mouth.  Spider rig minnows near the bottom for these fish. Overall, sizes have been outstanding the past week.

There were some good weights in black bass tournaments this past weekend, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that there are basically two patterns right now. Fish are suspending around bait schools, and so one group of fishermen is generally using LiveScope to cast Alabama rigs, jerkbaits, and minnow-type swimbaits at offshore fish. Some are in the creeks, and some are in the main lake. 

The other major pattern is throwing Alabama rigs at specific targets for fish that are related to something and not just swimming around following bait. Points, docks, and brush piles off the corners of docks are good places to cast. 

Finally on the catfish front, Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that the bite is still fair to good. The drift bite has still been less effective and the creek bite at anchor has produced relatively more fish. Fan-casting baits from 6 to 25 feet of water around schools of bait and white perch has worked well for fish in the 8- to 23-pound range. Gizzard shad as well as a variety of other cut baits are working well.  

December 4

Lake Wylie is at 97.2% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are about 58 degrees. The lake has been very clear. 

There are several different ways to catch black bass right now on Lake Wylie, but tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that the dominant pattern right now is LiveScoping around schools of bait. Schools of shad have ganged up in the middle of the channel, and the bass are very heavy on the bait schools.

But what was itself a new, innovative pattern on Wylie just a few years go has also come on, and many of the top weights are now coming throwing Alabama rigs at specific targets. Points, docks, and brush piles off the corners of docks are good places to cast. While many fish are still just pelagic and following bait schools, Reid believes more are starting to relate to actual spots than a few weeks ago.

Additionally, you can still throw a crankbait or jerkbait to points and there are always fish around docks that will take a jig. 

In crappie news, The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that there are two good patterns for crappie right now. First, they are stacked up on deep brush piles 20-25 feet deep. Cast jigs over top of the brush to catch the more aggressive fish that are suspended above the brush. Second, crappie have moved out of shallow water and have schooled up in the deeper creeks 20-25 feet deep. In some of the deeper creeks in the lower third of the lake 25 feet is mid-creek, but in the upper two-thirds it puts you at the mouth.  Spider rig minnows near the bottom.

Finally on the catfish front, Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that the bite is still fair to good. The drift bite has still been less effective and the creek bite at anchor has produced relatively more fish. Fan-casting baits from 6 to 25 feet of water around schools of bait and white perch has worked well for fish in the 8- to 23-pound range. Gizzard shad as well as a variety of other cut baits are working well.  

November 20

Lake Wylie is at 97.0% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are down to about 56 degrees.

The black bass fishing has been strong on Lake Wylie this week, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that the majority of the fish are offshore following the big schools of shad that are in the creek channels and over the main river channel. Most are suspended 10-15 feet down over deeper water. You can catch them on an Alabama rig or minnow-type swimbait fished over the top of the shad schools. If you catch one expect to catch several as they are schooled up in wolf packs of 10-15 fish. 

While that is mainly a pattern for spotted bass, the largemouth aren’t doing much different. With water temperatures below 60 less largemouth are shallow and they are basically in the same areas but less likely to be in schools and generally in the creeks. Most tournaments are being won by anglers using forward-facing sonar to pick off 4-pound largemouth in the creek channels. 

Meanwhile, Captain Chris reports that the crappie and white perch are moving into their winter patterns at the mouth of the major creeks in 20-30 feet of water. Crappie are also bunching up on deep brush piles in 20-25 feet. For open water fish spider-rigging minnows is hard to beat, while for the fish on brush the best bet is to cast jigs or minnows. 

Finally, Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) has downgraded his assessment of the catfish bite to fair to good.  In the last few days the drift bite has been less effective and the creek bite at anchor has produced relatively more fish. Fan-casting baits from 6 to 25 feet of water around schools of bait and white perch has worked well for fish in the 8- to 23-pound range. Gizzard shad as well as a variety of other cut baits are working well.  

November 5

Lake Wylie is at 97.0% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are down to about 60-61 degrees.

The white perch and particularly crappie bites are changing on Lake Wylie, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that like clockwork the crappie are starting to move out of the creeks - and certainly off the shallow structure. Fish are no longer on anything less than 15 feet. 

The crappie are really starting to stack up on deep brush piles, and perch are schooled up at creek mouths and on main lake flats. 20-25 feet of water is the best depth range, and both species are taking minnows very well. 

The catfish bite has picked up, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) now rates the bite good to very good – although you may have to work to find the blue cats. Anchoring on long sloping points, humps, and channel ledges and fan-casting baits deep to shallow is productive, but you may need to increase your time waiting since fish are roaming. Drifting is usually the answer when that happens, but not necessarily right now. Concentrating on the right structure has been more effective in locating biting fish quickly. 

Bait has become more widespread in the channel and birds are starting to show up, which will eventually make it easier to pinpoint fish locations more quickly. 

Finally, on the black bass front tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that the best bite is definitely in the creeks now. Basically the two ways to catch fish are targeting suspended fish in the channel or fishing around the banks. Fish in the channel are schooling at times, and they will take Alabama rigs, minnow-type baits, and jerkbaits. There is also a good bite around the banks with a spinnerbait, buzzbait, or swimbait. And of course you can catch fish off docks with a jig or worm. 

October 29

Lake Wylie is slightly up to 96.9% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are down to about 66 degrees.

Whether the black bass patterns change depends on what happens with the recent rains, and if they cause the lake to rise significantly, a lot of current to be generated, and to become stained then tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that should generate a good shallow crankbait bite in both the main lake and the creeks. Look for current and stained water. 

However, for now the best thing going has been LiveScoping, and all the top boats in a recent tournament were chasing offshore fish with a minnow-type bait. That bite could change if water conditions do.

It’s still a strong crappie and white perch bite on Lake Wylie, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that the action is frequently fast. Patterns should hold until temperatures drop below 60. 

Crappie are around brush piles in 15-25 feet of water in both the creeks and on the main lake, and you can cast jigs or minnows at these fish. But both species are also stacked up at the mouths of creeks and on main lake flats in 20-30 feet of water. You can catch them on minnows, or you can troll jigs or crankbaits. In general the perch are closer to the bottom in 15-28 feet of water while crappie are higher in the water column in 10-12 feet. 

There are also crappie that can be caught spider-rigging minnows or trolling baits in the creek channels, but for some reason these are mostly smaller than the equivalent main lake fish. The better crappie in the creeks seem to relate to structure. 

The catfish bite remains pretty unpredictable, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that this past week it continues to be outstanding at times and tough at others. You simply have to try different techniques until you locate the fish because they continue to move around a lot. One day anchoring in the creeks works and then the next day they are mid-lake on channel edges and ledges and you need to drift. 

October 22

Lake Wylie is at 96.5% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are down to about 68 degrees.   

Lake Wylie fishing has changed very little this week, and there are no changes to report with the crappie and white perch. It’s still a very good bite, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that this morning he caught 75 fish in two hours fishing by himself before picking up hig party. 

Catfish are still highly variable as they continue to move around a lot, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that one day anchoring in the creeks works and then the next day they are mid-lake on channel edges and ledges and you need to drift. When you do find them they will bite, but it’s a matter of locating the hot spots.

Similarly, there’s not much change with the black bass as tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that patterns have not changed as the weather and water conditions have been pretty stable for a while now, except for some cooler nights and mornings. Day-time highs have not changed much.  Fish are still very creek-oriented, and either fishing Whopper Ploppers and buzzbaits around the banks or minnow-type baits in the channels are the main patterns. 

October 16

Lake Wylie is at 97.0% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are down to the lower 70s. 

It’s still a strong crappie and white perch bite on Lake Wylie, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that at times the action is really fast. Crappie are around brush piles in 15-25 feet of water in both the creeks and on the main lake, and you can cast jigs or minnows at these fish. But both species are also stacked up at the mouths of creeks and on main lake flats in 20-30 feet of water. You can catch them on minnows, or you can troll jigs or crankbaits. In general the perch are closer to the bottom in 15-28 feet of water while crappie are higher in the water column in 10-12 feet. 

There are also crappie that can be caught spider-rigging minnows or trolling baits in the creek channels, but for some reason these are mostly smaller than the equivalent main lake fish. The better crappie in the creeks seem to relate to structure. 

While perhaps anomalous there have been some pretty incredible black bass catches recently on Lake Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that a high school tournament featured a 22-pound winning bag. Very impressive for October on Wylie!  In general it seems that greater numbers of fish are now in the creeks than on the main lake, and buzzbaits fished around the banks have been very consistent. There are also fish that can be caught with jigs or shaky heads around creek docks.

Another group of fish is on bait, and fishing around bait schools in the creeks has been productive. At times these fish are schooling but the more consistent action has come with a minnow-type bait and (usually) forward-facing sonar. 

It’s a good catfish bite right now on Lake Wylie, but Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that the caveat is when you find them. Fish are moving a lot, and so they can be hard to stay on top of from day to day. You just have to keep looking. 

Accordingly the best pattern is drifting the larger creeks in 20-24 feet with cut bait, or the main channel flats in 20-30 feet. There are not as many fish in the river channel right now. 

A variety of cut baits will work, including gizzard shad, white perch, and bream. Grocery store baits like small pieces of chicken and shrimp are also working. 

October 8

Lake Wylie is at 96.7% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are around 76 degrees. 

It’s still a strong crappie bite on Lake Wylie, but The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that he has been catching more fish on jigs and minnows this week instead of crankbaits. When the fish are inactive, either due to weather conditions or boat traffic, then it pretty much takes minnows to get them to eat. 

There are several target areas for fish now, and one group is in 15-25 feet of water on brush wherever it is found. Another is set up in the creek channels in 20-25 feet, while yet another group is still on the main lake over the river channel. The most productive methods have been casting or trolling jigs, or spider-rigging with minnows.  

It’s still a pretty good catfish bite right now on Lake Wylie, but Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service(803-517-7828) reports that the action varies from day to day. One day the bite will be very good, but then the next day it can be more of a struggle – although they usually still get some good fish. 

The best pattern is still drifting the larger creeks in 20-24 feet with cut bait. Drifting is also producing well on main channel flats between Catawba Creek and Crowder’s Creek when there is a decent wind. 

The anchored bite is good near known mussel beds in 15-25 feet on long points near the mouth of major creeks when winds are light.

A variety of cut baits will work, including gizzard shad, white perch, and bream. Grocery store baits like small pieces of chicken and shrimp are also working. 

The black bass continue to feed a little better than just a couple of weeks ago, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that the best thing going right now still seems to be fishing around the banks with a buzzbait. Worms and jigs around docks are also working. There is also still some schooling activity around bridges and at the mouths of pockets, but that will get better when temperatures drop into the low 70s.  

Of course, chasing fish in open water with a minnow-type bait and forward-facing sonar is also productive. 

October 2

Lake Wylie is at 96.6% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are around 78 degrees. There is some dirty water on the north end of the lake after recent rains.  

The best thing going on Lake Wylie continues to be the crappie, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that he has discovered that the biggest fish want crankbaits right now! The ones he is targeting are stacked up on main lake flats in 20-25 feet of water and will take baits pulled about halfway down the water column. 

While they are catching more crappie than white perch this way perch are in the same areas, and also mixed in with crappie at creek mouths 20-30 feet deep around schools of threadfin shad. Spider-rigging with minnows closer to the bottom is very effective for both species. 

There are also still crappie on brush piles and structure in the creeks, but especially with parties it’s much easier to catch them in open water. 

It’s a good catfish bite right now on Lake Wylie, but Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that when water temperatures drop a few degrees he expects the fish to really turn on. For now they are still catching blues drifting the larger creeks in 20-24 feet with cut bait. Drifting is also producing well on main channel flats between Catawba Creek and Crowder’s Creek when there is a decent wind. 

The anchored bite is good near known mussel beds in 15-25 feet on long points near the mouth of major creeks when winds are light.

A variety of cut baits will work, including gizzard shad, white perch, and bream. Grocery store baits like small pieces of chicken and shrimp are also working. 

Some rain this past week has stirred the lake up a bit and made for a more active black bass bite, but tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that the best thing going right now still seems to be fishing around the banks with a buzzbait. Worms and jigs around docks are also working.  There is also still some schooling activity around bridges and at the mouths of pockets, but that will get better when temperatures drop.

Of course, chasing fish in open water with a minnow-type bait and forward-facing sonar is also productive.