June 10

Lake Hartwell water levels dropped down to normal full pool but have risen back to 660.51(full pool is 660.00), while morning surface water temperatures are around 83 degrees. The lake is mostly clear but slightly dingy in places due to heavy boat traffic. 

The hybrid and striped bass fishing is still a tad inconsistent on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports

June 2

Lake Hartwell water levels are way down to 660.66 but still above full (full pool is 660.00) and water temperatures in the mid to upper-70s. The backs of creeks are clearing again. 

The hybrid and striped bass fishing is still tricky on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports

May 20

Lake Hartwell water levels are way up to 663.00 (full pool is 660.00) and promise to rise further, and morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-70s. The creeks are starting to get muddy.   

The hybrid and striped bass fishing has improved a little on Lake Hartwell, although Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports

May 12

Lake Hartwell water levels are up to 661.61 (full pool is 660.00) and morning surface water temperatures remain in the upper 60s. Overall water clarity is very good. 

It’s a strange bite for hybrid and striped bass on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports

April 29

Lake Hartwell water levels remain above full pool at 660.77 (full pool is 660.00) and morning surface water temperatures remain in the upper 60s. Overall visibility is very good pretty much across the lake. 

It’s a time when you can catch bass on Lake Hartwell a lot of different ways, although Guide Brad Fowler reports

April 15

Lake Hartwell water levels are above full pool at 660.92 (full pool is 660.00) and morning surface water temperatures have dropped from 68 to the low to mid-60s. The fresh round of rain has stained some areas but generally the pollen has been a bigger hindrance to visibility. 

It’s still an excellent time for bassfishing on Lake Hartwell, but now Guide Brad Fowler reports

March 31

Lake Hartwell water levels are only slightly above full pool at 660.12 (full pool is 660.00) and surface water temperatures are up to the mid-60s in the morning. The lakes have cleared substantially but some creeks are still dirty. 

We are in an excellent period for bassfishing on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Brad Fowler reports

March 25

Lake Hartwell water levels remain above full pool at 661.78 (full pool is 660.00) and surface water temperatures are around 59-63 at first light. The lakes have cleared substantially over the last two weeks.

March can be an unpredictable month for catching hybrid and striped bass, and Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports

March 12

Lake Hartwell water levels are still above full pool at 661.41 (full pool is 660.00), and water temperatures have risen into the mid-50s.  All of the major creeks are still dirty but clarity is improving with no recent heavy rains.     

Finally there is improvement for hybrid and striped bass, and Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports

February 27

Lake Hartwell water levels are still a couple of feet above full pool at 662.21 (full pool is 660.00), and water temperatures are around 52-54 degrees.  All of the major creeks are muddy with trash and logs floating, but the main lake towards the dam is not as dirty. Some boat landings are closed and you still need rubber boats to walk on many stationary docks. 

February 14

Lake Hartwell water levels are more than three feet above full pool at 663.01 (full pool is 660.00), and water temperatures are around 50-52 degrees.  Much of the lake is very dirty, and all of the creeks and rivers are muddy – including in places that almost never get muddy.  

With very high water levels several boat ramps are closed to access, and there are reports that they will open the flood gates next week to try to drop water levels.  

It’s pretty awful conditions for hybrid and striped bass, and Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports