April 15

Inshore surface water temperatures in Charleston have gotten into the lower 70s.

Even though access has been limited and the tourism economy has ground to a halt, Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports

April 15

Clarks Hill water levels above full at 330.55 (full pool is 330.00), and morning surface water temperatures are around 65-57 degrees. Up the lake is fairly muddy while down the lake is cleaner. 

We are in the period when bass on Clarks Hill can be caught on pretty much any shallow pattern you want to fish, and for tournament angler Josh Rockefeller of Augusta

April 15

Lake Murray water levels are at 357.43 (full pool is 360.00) and most of the lake is stained but not muddy. Up the lake there is about 1 ½ feet of visibility, increasing as you get closer to the dam. Even though the Sunday/ Monday rains muddied the water it was clearing before that, and so visibility is barely worse than a week ago. Morning surface temperatures have dipped overnight and are in the mid- to upper 60s.

The herring spawn continues to progress on Lake Murray, and veteran tournament bass angler Captain Doug Lown reports

April 10

Lake Keowee is at 98.4% of full pool. Water temperatures are now in the mid-60s over most of the lake and in the upper 60s mid-lake around the power plant. Water clarity is high on the main lake with some cloudy water in the back of major creeks.

It continues to be very good time for bass fishing on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports

April 8

Lake Murray water levels are at 357.31 (full pool is 360.00) and most of the lake is stained but not muddy. Up the lake there is about 1.5 – 2 feet of visibility, increasing as you get closer to the dam. Morning surface temperatures are generally in the upper 60s.

It’s finally happening on Lake Murray, and veteran tournament bass angler Captain Doug Lown reports

April 3

It’s a tough time to fish in the Edisto Island area, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that all local ramps are closed to recreational fishing and the private marina on the island has also followed suit. 

April 3

Lake Keowee is at 98.0% of full pool. Water temperatures have continued to rise with the northern and southern ends of the lake now in the mid-60s and the mid-lake region approaching 70 degrees. Water clarity is good with the exception of the back of major creeks which are still stained.

It’s a peak time for bass fishing on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports

April 2

Inshore surface water temperatures are approximately 64 around Beaufort, and while the water is still fairly tannic it is less brown than a week ago.

Spring fishing for redfish is picking up around Beaufort, and Bay Street Outfitters (843-524-5250) reports

April 2

Lake Greenwood water levels are back down to 438.21 (full pool is 440.0) and water temperatures are up to the mid-60s. Up the lake is muddy again and the mud line is moving down. 

A few days later water conditions have changed on Lake Greenwood, but veteran tournament bass angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports

April 1

Inshore surface water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand are in the upper 60s, but the water is fairly dirty.  

Just as public boat ramps have closed and it has become possible only to access the waterways and beaches from private access points, Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports

April 1

Lake Russell water levels are around 473.75 (full pool is 475.00) and water temperatures have fallen bank into the mid-60s. The creeks are muddy but the main lake is good. 

Getting on the water is becoming tricky, but Guide Wendell Wilson (706-283-3336) reports

April 1

Inshore surface water temperatures around Hilton Head are about 70 degrees, and there is still a lot of freshwater coming in from the rivers and making for stained/ dirty conditions. Still, overall the water is normalizing and better than it was. 

For those who can fish in Hilton Head there is some good news, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports

April 1

Lake Wateree is down to 96.7% of full pool, and up the lake the water remains muddy. Water temperatures are in the mid to upper-60s.

It continues to be an outstanding time to bass fish on Lake Wateree if you can get access, and tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports

April 1

Lake Wylie is at 97.3% of full pool and water temperatures are in the lower 60s. Up the rivers the lake is stained but water color generally varies. 

Spring bass fishing continues to be strong on Lake Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports

April 1

Water temperatures are up-and-down in Murrells Inlet, but generally in the mid-60s. 

Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live finger mullet, live fiddler crabs, fresh shrimp, salt clam, and a full range of frozen baits.

The early flounder bite continues to get better, and Captain J Baisch (843-902-0356) reporting

March 31

Santee Cooper water levels are at 76.25 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 74.43 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5) and the lower lake is dirtier than the upper lake. Water temperatures have gotten as high the low to mid-70s in places. 

The bass fishing is wide open and pretty fantastic right now on Santee Cooper, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) 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 31

Inshore surface water temperatures in Charleston are in the mid-60s and visibility is very good.

Even though access has been limited, Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that

March 31

Clarks Hill water levels have risen to 331.67 (full pool is 330.00), and morning surface water temperatures are in the mid- to upper-60s. Clarity has improved but there is a significant amount of debris in the water. 

The spawn is very much still underway and you can certainly catch bass on Clarks Hill by running the banks with soft plastics like a floating worm, but tournament angler Josh Rockefeller of Augusta

March 31

Lake Murray water levels are at 357.16 (full pool is 360.00) and most of the lake is stained but not muddy. Morning surface temperatures are in the mid-60s.    

Access to Lake Murray continues to be limited, but veteran tournament angler Captain Doug Lown reports

March 27

Lake Jocassee is back up to 95.4% of full pool, and overall the lake is typically clear and most of the floating debris is gone.  Water temperatures are about 57-60 degrees. 

Trout fishing has picked up again on Lake Jocassee, and Guide Sam Jones (864-280-9056) reports