January 6

Lake Monticello water temperatures are in the mid-50s, and the water is typically clear. Lake levels normally fluctuate daily.

For reasons that are unclear Lake Monticello always fishes a little differently than other lakes, and tournament bass angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports

January 6

Lake Murray water levels are holding around 354.27 (full pool is 360.00) and the water has gotten some color up the rivers and in most of the creeks. Morning surface water temperatures are generally in the mid-50s.

It’s a very good time for striped bass fishing on Murray, and Captain Brad Taylor (803-331-1354) reports

January 6

Lake Russell water levels are right at full (full pool is 475.00) and the upper end is murky while the lower end is pretty clear. Morning surface water temperatures are about 57 degrees.

Once again water conditions have changed the bite on Lake Russell, and Guide Wendell Wilson (706-283-3336) reports

January 6

Lake Wylie is at 98.7% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are back to the mid-50s after getting close to 60 degrees. The main lake is still very clear while the backs of creeks have some stain. 

Regular readers may not expect to hear that the bass fishing on Lake Wylie has actually been pretty good recently, but tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports

January 6

Lake Wateree is at 95.4% of full pool and from Beaver Creek down the lake is relatively clear while up the lake is getting dirty. Morning surface water temperatures are about 54 degrees. 

Even before the cold front it was a little tough to find better bass on Lake Wateree, and tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports

January 6

Lake Hartwell water levels are back up to 657.86 (full pool is 660.00) and the main lake is still clear even as some of the creeks have gotten muddy. Morning surface water temperatures have dropped to about 57 degrees. 

The bass fishing has been pretty good on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Brad Fowler reports

January 6

Santee Cooper water levels are at 73.71 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and about 72.64 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). The lakes are still very clear and morning surface water temperatures are down to the mid-50s. 

Even after this cold snap overall mild temperatures mean that the crappie bite has stayed extremely good for the season, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports

January 6

Lake Greenwood water levels have shot up to 437.10 (full pool is 440.0) and the water is the color of chocolate milk on the upper end while some areas are still decent. Morning surface water temperatures have dropped into the low to mid 50s.  

Things are changing fast with the bass on Lake Greenwood, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports

December 31

Lake Keowee is at 96.7% of full pool and water clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures have actually gone UP a degree or so this week on the lake, with water temperatures at 60 degrees over most of the lake.  The mid-lake region is still holding in the mid-60s. 

With temperatures running quite a few degrees higher than normal for this time of year, N&C Marine/Skeeter Teammember Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports

December 24

Lake Keowee is at 98.8% of full pool and water clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 50s over most of the lake with low 60s still present in the mid-lake. 

Overall bass fishing on Lake Keowee is good right now, but N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson(864-324-2065) reports

December 23

Lake Wylie is at 97.2% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are about 54 degrees. 

Lake Wylie catfish continue to follow an unusual pattern for early winter, and Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports