Lake Jocassee water levels remain high at 97.1% of full pool; surface temperatures are around 50 degrees but are starting to rise fast.

Trout: Good to very good. Jocassee Outdoor Center (864-944-9016) reports that Jocassee trout fishing is about as good as it gets right now, and anglers who know what they are doing are having some very strong days. One fisherman came into the store and weighed in an 8 1/2-, a 6 ½- and two 4-pound fish, and another angler showed off a 6-pounder in the last few days.   Overall fish are shallow in about 10-30 feet of water, and the 6-pound fish was caught casting into 6 feet of water. The predominant pattern remains trolling the main river arms as well as the mouths of creeks with bait and spoons, and anglers should utilize smaller bait and spoons as the fish are generally eating about 2-3 inch long bait.

Bass: Fair. Jocassee Outdoor Center reports that bass cannot really be characterized as in pre-spawn mode yet, but they are getting close. Fish are starting to move in the direction of areas where they will eventually be spawning, and so anglers should look at the mouths of creeks and near areas that have sand flats. Fish will also stack up around very sharp cliff edges that are adjacent to sand (where they will eventually spawn). Keep in mind that bass are ultimately looking for two things – sand flats and areas without a lot of current – when they spawn on Lake Jocassee, and so they will be positioning to get to those areas. For now fishing jerkbaits that run about 6-8 feet deep is the best option, but before long when fish get more aggressive big tubes, jigs and worms will be good selections.

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DHEC Fish Advisory – Only one meal per week of largemouth or spotted bass.