January 28

Lake Jocassee is at 99.0 of full pool and the lake is very clear. Despite the lake being very full there is a relative absence of floating debris except for some pine needles. Surface temperatures are down to about 54 degrees.

While fronts can affect the fishing from day to day, Guide Sam Jones (864-280-9056) reports

January 24

Santee Cooper water levels are at 76.29 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 74.88 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Surface temperatures have dropped all the way into the low to mid-50s in some places, and there is still a ton of dirty water moving through the system.

It was always an anomaly to have almost a week in the 70s that pushed water temperatures into the 60s in January, and the cold front of the last week has been a reminder of just that fact. Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports

January 24

Lake Hartwell water levels are above full pool at 660.12 (full pool is 660.00), and water temperatures are in the low 50s. Up rivers like the Seneca the water is dirty, while down the lake it clears.

Conditions for bass fishing have been pretty tough, but Guide Brad Fowler reports

January 20

Lake Wateree is back up to 96.4 % of full pool, although there are reports that they will be dropping water levels again. Water temperatures had gotten as high as 55-56 but are dropping back into the 49-53 degree range, and the lake is muddy. 

Changing water temperatures are moving the crappie around right now on Lake Wateree, and veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports

January 20

Lake Wylie is at 97.6% of full pool, and water temperatures are falling back into the lower 50s. Much of the lake is muddy with more dirty water coming, and overall water clarity is very hit-or-miss. 

Between up-and-down temperatures, quickly changing water levels, and heavy inflow which is constantly moving dirty water around the lake, tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports

January 20

After hitting the 60s, inshore surface water temperatures in Beaufort have fallen back into the 50s. The water is very clean and clear.

Despite some very unpredictable up-and-down weather in the Beaufort area, Bay Street Outfitters (843-524-5250) reports

January 20

Lake Russell water levels are holding around 474.25 (full pool is 475.00), and surface temperatures – which had reached the 60s – have dropped into the low 50s. Some creeks like Coldwater and Beaverdam are still muddy, but most of the lake looks pretty clear and overall things continue to settle out.

Fishing has been a little up-and-down recently, but Guide Wendell Wilson (706-283-3336) reports

January 17

Lake Keowee is at 98.1% of full pool. With the very warm weather we have had recently water temperatures have actually climbed about 2 degrees on Keowee.  On the southern and northern ends of the lake temperatures are in the upper 50s, and in the mid-lake area they are around 61 degrees. 

Colder weather is coming, but for now N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports

January 17

Water temperatures are around 56 in Murrells Inlet and the water is clean but not clear. Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live shrimp, live fiddler crabs, fresh shrimp, salt clam, and a full range of frozen baits. 

Inshore fishing remains spotty along the south end of the Grand Strand, although Captain J Baisch (843-902-0356) reports

January 17

Lake Greenwood water levels are up to 437.44 (full pool is 440.0) and surface water temperatures are in the upper 50s. The lake ranges from muddy to stained.

Atypical water conditions are making for some tough bass fishing conditions on Lake Greenwood, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports

January 16

Inshore surface water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand have risen into the high 50s and even low 60s. The water is a dirty green in some areas. 

The fishing was better on the north end of the Grand Strand before temperatures rose and the water dirtied up, but Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports

January 16

Clarks Hill water levels are above full pool at 330.46 (full pool is 330.00) and surface temperatures range from about 52-57 degrees. While water clarity varies over the lake, overall the lake ranges from stained to muddy.

Even though it’s not textbook winter conditions for striper and hybrids on Clarks Hill, William Sasser Guide Service (706-589-5468) reports

January 15

Inshore surface water temperatures in Charleston are around 57 degrees, and water clarity is overall very good.

While fishing on some parts of the coast has dropped off due to the unseasonably warm weather, Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports

January 15

Lake Murray water levels are at 355.34 (full pool is 360.00), and surface water temperatures are in the mid-50s. There is lots of mud and current moving down the lake.

These are confusing times for bass and even more for bass fishermen on Lake Murray, and veteran tournament angler Captain Doug Lown reports

January 15

Inshore surface water temperatures around Hilton Head are up to the low 60s, and even though clarity has not been great because of winds and high tides the water is starting to clear again. 

The warming months of March and April are typically two of the toughest months of the year for catching redfish around Hilton Head, but Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports

January 15

Lake Hartwell water levels are bouncing either side of full pool and currently at 659.86 (full pool is 660.00), and water temperatures are around 51 degrees. The lake is uncharacteristically muddy in areas like the Seneca River as well as all the creeks, and there is trash floating everywhere. Anglers should take caution when navigating and look out for obstructions like logs. 

Even though water conditions are really tough, Guide Brad Fowler reports

January 15

Inshore surface water temperatures around Edisto Island average about 58 degrees, and the North Edisto is very clear while the South Edisto is dark and tannic from all the freshwater coming down the river. 

The trout action is very strong for this time of year, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports

January 14

Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.83 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 74.47 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Surface temperatures have risen into the low 60s in some places, and the water ranges from stained to muddy.

All of this warm weather has completely changed the bass bite on Santee Cooper, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports

January 10

Inshore surface water temperatures are approximately 54 degrees in Beaufort. The water has cleared up nicely and visibility is good.

After a few slow days the redfish bite has improved in the Beaufort area, and Bay Street Outfitters (843-524-5250) reports

January 10

Lake Wateree is all the way down to 94.1 % of full pool, and the water remains muddy from the top to the bottom of the lake. Water temperatures are in the upper 40s on the main lake.

With low water levels it can be difficult to put a boat in on Lake Wateree right now, and veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports

January 9

Lake Wylie is at 97.1% of full pool, and water temperatures are around 50-52 degrees. Most of the lake is muddy again, although in same areas the creeks are actually cleaner than the main lake because of dirty water coming down the rivers. 

It’s still tough bass fishing on Lake Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports

January 10

Lake Russell water levels have dropped to just below full pool at around 474.75 (full pool is 475.00), and surface temperatures are about 54 degrees. The lake is a little more stained than usual but certainly not muddy.

Fishing is not in typical patterns for early January, and Guide Wendell Wilson (706-283-3336) believes

January 9

Lake Jocassee is at 98.0 of full pool and the lake is very clear. Surface temperatures are running about 57-58 degrees. 

It continue to be a good time for trout fishing on Lake Jocassee, and Guide Sam Jones (864-280-9056) reports