Lake Wateree is at 97.6% of full pool.

Catfish: Good to very good. Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that catfish typically spawn when water temperatures are in the 78-82 degree range, and with water temperatures entering that range fish are starting to spawn and even a few post-spawn males are beginning to be caught. The spawn will continue through late June and into July. First thing Rodger is starting trips by anchoring on points in the creek and river channels, and on days with current this can be a productive pattern. However, at times it takes a lot of patience and will not produce – especially if there is little to no flow. Drifting (with the wind, or the trolling motor on windless days) has been a better way to catch numbers of fish, and blue catfish in the 6-12 pound range have been biting very well. Rodger has been targeting ledges and drops in 15-20 feet of water, and blue catfish and channel catfish have typically each made up about 50% of the catch.   As on Lake Wylie cut gizzard shad have been the best bait, although cut bluegill will be used more as the summer goes on.

Crappie: Fair to good. Veteran tournament angler Will Hinson reports that by now most of the brushpiles in 12-20 feet of water are holding fish – although some are much better than others. Early in the day fish are suspended above the brush, but as the sun come up they will move lower into the brush. Bridge pilings are also producing, particularly in the heat of the day. Because of the shade fish are shallower in 6-11 feet of water – look for the shadiest, darkest spots around the bridges. Fish Stalker jigs in yellow, pearl and Ugly Green are all catching fish, and minnows on a plain hook will also work.

Largemouth Bass: Fair. Tournament angler Dearal Rodgers (803-223-1117) reports that fishing has gotten tougher on Lake Wateree. One pattern has been fishing around grass in the mornings, and these fish will eat buzzbaits, spinnerbaits and frogs. There is also a decent deeper bite around ledges, humps and points. These fish will eat Carolina rigs, football jigs, deep diving crankbaits, big worms such as Zoom Ole Monsters, and shakey head worms. Docks have not been a primary pattern although some fish can certainly be caught around them.

DHEC Fish Advisories: Due to PCB advisories visit http://www.scdhec.gov/environment/water/fish/Advisories/lakeWateree.htm before consuming any Lake Wateree fish.