Lake Wylie is at 97.5% of full pool.

Catfish: Good to very good. Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that catfishing is strong on both the northern and southern ends of the lake. 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. Rodger’s boat is catching fish by targeting deep drops and points with vertical drops, and current flow is critical. Overall anchoring has been the most successful pattern and they have not spent much time drifting. Lots of channel catfish are being caught, a few flatheads, and good numbers of 8-15 pound blues. Sizes are down from a month or two ago but there are still some 30-pound fish mixed in. Cut gizzard shad have been the best bait, although cut bluegill will be used more as the summer goes on. For flatheads live bluegill and live white perch will both catch fish.

Largemouth Bass: Good.  FLW Professional and Guide Matt Arey (704-484-7715) reports that there are two main patterns for catching bass on Lake Wylie right now. First, the offshore bite is pretty good, as is characteristic early in the season before fish have been hammered for months. Schools of fish will be found around humps, deep main lake points, the areas where creek channels swing in front of points, and other depth changes. Lots of fish will be found in 20-30 feet of water, but some will be in 15 feet of water near shallower areas. Deep diving crankbaits, football jigs, Hopkins spoons, Ol’ Monster worms and other big baits will catch fish early in the season, but later in the summer as the fish become accustomed to the pressure fish will get finickier and schools will even relocate. Drop shot rigs and more finesse-style baits will become more effective.   Current is a factor and the offshore fishing will be better when current is being generated. Second, there is a good shallow bite where bass are feeding on bream that are bedding or hanging around near bedding bream. Look for bass cruising in packs and targeting spawning bream around docks and in the backs of sandy coves. Prop baits, swimbaits and weightless Senkos will all work, and bass will take topwater lures all day long.

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