March 1

Lake Wylie is at 97.5% of full pool morning surface water temperatures have reached the mid-50s.

Whether because of their latitude or because they have blueback herring, in many South Carolina lakes the bass are approaching the spawn or already there. However, tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports

March 1

Lake Wateree is at 95.4% of full pool and on the Lugoff side the water is more stained than usual while on the Camden sides it’s about normal. Morning surface water temperatures range from about 55-60 degrees depending on how far back you go. 

This past Saturday tournament bass angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden

March 1

Lake Russell water levels are at 474.73 (full pool is 475.00) and the water is stained in the backs of creeks but generally clear on the main lake. Morning surface water temperatures are about 55 degrees on the main lake and 60-61 degrees in the backs of creeks. 

In a sure sign of spring the bass have pretty much left deep water, and Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports

March 1

Lake Hartwell water levels are at 659.55 (full pool is 660.00). The water is clear on the main lake but there is some color in the back of creeks. Water temperatures are about 54-57 degrees.   

There’s apparently a little bass tournament coming to Lake Hartwell this week, and Guide Brad Fowler reports

March 1

Clarks Hill water levels are above full at 330.04 (full pool is 330.00) and morning surface water temperatures are about 57 degrees on the lower end of the main lake and as high as 64-65 degrees in the backs. 

The hybrid and striped bass on Clarks Hill are transitioning out into spring patterns, and Little River Guide Service (706-210-3474) reports

March 1

Lake Monticello surface water temperatures are in the mid to upper 50s and even low 60s, with some warmer water on the south end, and the lake is clear. Water levels fluctuate daily.   

The bass on Lake Monticello are following a very normal spring trajectory, and tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports

March 1

Lake Murray water levels are up to 357.11 (full pool is 360.00) and water clarity is still a good “spring green” up the rivers and clearer down the lake. Morning surface water temperatures range from the mid- to upper 50s, hitting the 60s on warm afternoons.   

While the biggest numbers of striped bass have moved into other sections of the lake, Captain Brad Taylor (803-331-1354) reports

February 26

Lake Keowee is at 98.8% of full pool and clarity is normal. Water temperatures have hit the 60-degree mark in the last couple of days. 

As a result of rapidly rising temperatures, N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports

February 24

Lake Hartwell water levels are up to 659.22 (full pool is 660.00). The water is pretty clear and morning surface water temperatures range from about 52 to 54 degrees.  

With rising temperatures the hybrid and striped bass fishing has significantly removed on Lake Hartwell, but Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports

February 24

Clarks Hill water levels are at 329.85 (full pool is 330.00) and up the lake there is dirtier water while down the lake has 4-5 feet of visibility. Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-50s, rising to the high 50s in the afternoon.

Even after a few very warm days, tournament angler Tyler Matthews of Evans, Georgia reports

February 24

Santee Cooper water levels are up to 73.91 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and around 74.7 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). The upper lake is slightly dingy while the lower lake is still clear in places. Morning surface water temperatures have hit the lower 60s.     

It’s the time of year when the bass fishing is highly dependent on the weather, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports

February 23

Lake Greenwood water levels are up to 436.02 (full pool is 440.0) and up the lake there is some stained to muddy water, while down the lake is cleaner. Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-50s. 

It’s similar bass fishing conditions on Lake Greenwood to Lake Murray, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports

February 23

Lake Murray water levels are up to 356.87 (full pool is 360.00) and water clarity is a good “spring green” up the rivers and clearer down the lake. Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-50s over most of the lake. 

With all the warm weather this week the striped bass bite on Lake Murray has gotten really good, and Captain Brad Taylor (803-331-1354) reports

February 18

Morning surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are about 52 degrees and the water is still clear. 

If anything the redfish have gotten more lethargic and unwilling to eat this week on the flats, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports

February 18

Morning surface water temperatures are about 51-52 degrees around Beaufort, and the water conditions are still extremely clear. 

Last week the conditions were similar to this week around Beaufort, but Captain Tuck Scott with Bay Street Outfitters (843-524-5250) reported

February 18

Morning surface water temperatures have jumped from the upper 40s to the lower 50s around Hilton Head, and the water is crystal clear.   

There’s been some improvement in the fishing conditions in Hilton Head this week, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports

February 18

Morning inshore surface water temperatures are about 50-51 around Charleston and the water is still clear.

While the inshore bite is still pretty tough around Charleston, the shad run is now in full swing and Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports

February 18

Lake Russell water levels are at 474.62 (full pool is 475.00) and the water is clear except for the very backs of creeks where there is a slight stain. Morning surface water temperatures are about 52-53 degrees on the main lake and 54-55 degrees in the backs of creeks. 

It was a good winter for striped bass fishing on Lake Russell, but Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports

February 18

Lake Monticello morning surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-50s, and the water is overall clear. Lake levels normally fluctuate daily.

Because of the unique dynamics of the lake water temperatures are running warmer on Lake Monticello than other South Carolina lakes, and tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports

February 17

Lake Wateree is at 95.2% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 40s. 

There’s been some dramatic improvement in the bass fishing on Lake Wateree, and tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports

February 17

Clarks Hill water levels are at 329.75 (full pool is 330.00) and up the lake there is dirtier water. Morning surface water temperatures are in the lower 50s.

The Clarks Hill bass are still in a late winter pattern, and on Clarks Hill that means schooling fish!  Tournament angler Tyler Matthews of Evans, Georgia reports

February 17

Lake Jocassee is up to 98.5% of full pool and the rivers have cleared nicely while wind has cleared out the debris. Morning surface water temperatures are running about 53-54 degrees.

As predicted the trout bite picked up again on Lake Jocassee in time for the tournament, and Guide Sam Jones (864-280-9056) reports

February 18

Lake Murray water levels are up to 356.74 (full pool is 360.00) and water clarity up the river is a little dingy but not muddy. Morning surface water temperatures up the river are about 52-53 degrees..

It’s been a pretty slow morning on the water for Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857), and he reports