May 26

Lake Wateree is at 98.5% of full pool, and the lower lake is clear, while the upper lake has some color (but could change quickly from all the recent rain). Morning surface water temperatures are about 76 degrees. 

Striper action at Lake Wateree is very good, reports Capt. Justin Whitesides (803-417-0070), and he's catching them throughout the lake.

May 26

Lake Murray water level is 356.67 as of 0830 on May 26 (full pool is 360.00), and water clarity is good.  Morning surface water temperature is about 74 degrees.

May 22

Morning surface water temperatures are around 77 degrees at the mouth of Fripp Inlet. 

Hilton Head

 May 22

Morning surface water temperature is 75 degrees at the mouth of Port Royal Sound.

Fishing news continues to be exciting and fast-paced for inshore fishing, and Captain Kai Williams withAwesome Adventure Charters (843-816-7475) reports that fishing for several species is excellent, with bull reds, Spanish mackerel, and cobia all producing excellent action. He thinks the remainder of May should provide plenty of species diversity and excellent action.

May 21

Morning surface water temperatures are around 72 degrees at the mouth of Charleston Harbor. 

Inshore fishing in Charleston remains excellent, and Captain Rob Bennett withLowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) is correct that May is Cobia Month, as action on Cobia has improved tremendously. Fishing continues to be wide open for several species, with redfish, flounder, and trout all producing action.

North Myrtle Beach

May 21

Morning surface water temperatures are about 70 degrees in the ocean, and are a little 

warmer inshore, around 71 degrees at the mouth of Little River Inlet.

Inshore fishing continues to be good in the Little River area and off the beaches. Captain Buddy Love ofCaptain Smiley Fishing Charters (843-222-7532) reports that most species are on a strong bite, but the trout action has really improved in the past week.

May 20

Santee Cooper water levels are still low at 75.46 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8), and 75.40 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5), and the water is very clear.  Morning surface water temperatures are around 74 degrees.

Santee Cooper fishing continues to be productive for several species, with bream bedding throughout the lakes, bass still on a strong bite, catfishing action remaining good, and striper activity going well in the lower end of Lake Moultrie. The Bassmaster Elite Series bass tournament on Santee Cooper proved that bass fishing is excellent throughout the lakes, as the winning tournament weight topped the century mark, with over 113 pounds of bass.

Lake Russellwater levels are at 474.16 (full pool is 475.00), and most of the lake is clear.  Morning surface water temperatures are about 73 degrees on the main lake, but around 76 degrees in the back of the creeks. 

The herring spawn is no longer a big factor in black bass fishing on Lake Russell, and Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that true summertime patterns are emerging on the lake. While that means fish will be moving deeper, he will have reliable patterns to fish.

May 20

Lake Greenwood water levels are up to 438.44 (full pool is 440.0), and the lake is still clear.  Morning surface water temperatures are around 72 degrees.

In this post-spawn period, the crappie fishing is very good on Lake Greenwood, and Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that they are catching fish on brush and woody structure in 10-20 feet of water. 

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May 19

Lake Wylie is low at 95.5% of full pool and is clear. Morning surface water temperatures are about 73 degrees.  With water levels very low, boaters should exercise caution at ramps and on the lake, as many hidden obstacles are now just below the surface. 

It’s still an excellent bite for Wylieblack bass, and The Carolina AnglerCaptain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) follows the black bass patterns and said that the black bass patterns in Lake Wylie have shifted from spawning to post-spawn and bass are actively feeding.

May 13

Morning surface water temperatures on Lake Monticello are about 72 degrees, and the lake is clear. Water levels typically fluctuate frequently.

When Captain Jay Bruce and his wife, Jill, launched their boat on Lake Monticello Saturday morning, they were excited about the prospect of good catfishing; they knew action had recently perked up. As usual, the success of the trip would depend on their graph depicting plenty of forage, and around and under that forage, he'd mark fish around those pods of forage. For the most part, he figured those signals near the bottom would be catfish.

March 25

Morning surface water temperatures on Lake Monticello are in the low 60s and the lake is clear. Water levels typically fluctuate frequently.

March 11

Morning surface water temperatures are around 58 degrees at the mouth of Fripp Inlet. 

December 23

Morning surface water temperatures at the mouths of the main rivers are around 52-53 degrees. Water clarity is very high.   

December 4

Morning surface water temperatures are around 57 degrees at the mouth of Little River Inlet and water clarity is getting high. 

November 6

Morning surface water temperatures at the mouths of the main rivers are around 65 degrees. Shrimp are leaving but plenty of mullet are still around.

October 23

Clarks Hill water levels are down to 325.76 (full pool is 330.00) and water clarity varies over the lake.  Morning surface water temperatures are about 70 degrees.  

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.

September 25

Morning surface water temperatures on Lake Monticello are around 80-81 degrees away from the power plant and water levels typically fluctuate frequently. 

September 24

Lake Hartwell water levels are down to 657.07 (full pool is 660.00) and visibility is high. Morning surface water temperatures are back to 80-81 degrees. 

September 24

Lake Jocassee is down to 94.6% of full pool and with very little rain water clarity is extremely high even far up the rivers. Morning surface water temperatures are still about 77-78 degrees on the main water.

September 4

Lake Keowee is at 97.2% of full pool and water clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures have dropped to the low to mid-80s over most of the lake. 

August 28

Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.66 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 75.37 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Morning surface water temperatures have dropped into the low 80s.