Freshwater Fishing Trends
Information on fishing trends provided courtesy of www.anglersheadquarters.com/, South Carolina's premier fishing report source, where right now you can sign up for 30 days of free access to more in-depth fishing reports.
The Columbia full-service Licensing and Boat Titling office is now located at:
SCDNR Headquarters
260 D Epting Ln
West Columbia, SC 29172
Piedmont Area
Lake Russell
Black bass: Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports that in July the fishing should improve as schools tighten up. Fishing with deep-running crankbaits or plastics worms around deep structure up to 40 or more feet down is often the best pattern, and live bait will also work.
Striped bass: Guide Wendell Wilson (706-283-3336) reports that in July the striper should be catchable on both ends of the lake, with free-lining working in the upper lake and down-lines working in the lower lake. At the end of June the fishing had picked up and they were already catching some big fish.
Crappie: Guide Wendell Wilson reports that fish had basically moved onto deeper brush by the end of June, and they should stay there in July. They will be caught on jigs and minnows. It’s hard to say how many fish will stay in the creeks versus heading to the main lake in the heat of summer.
Catfish: Guide Jerry Kotal reports that catfish should go deeper in July assuming water temperatures continue to warm. Fish should be caught in 15-25 feet of water on cut herring. Other fish are deeper but with so much underwater timber they are hard to target.
Most detailed Lake Russell Updates
Clarks Hill (Lake Thurmond)
Black bass: Guide Josh Rockefeller (706-513-6152) and tournament angler Tyler Matthews of Evans, Georgia, report that in July they expect a buzzbait or Whopper Plopper to often be the best way to catch quality fish, while numbers of bass can be caught deeper over humps and around brush on worms or jigs. There can also be schooling activity shallow or deep at times.
Striper and hybrids: Little River Guide Service (706-210-3474) reports that at the end of June the fish were still fairly shallow early, but in July fish should be found 40-plus feet down suspended over deep water. They will be caught on down-lined herring.
Crappie: Little River Guide Service reports that the crappie fishing was good through June but could slow in the July heat. In July fish should be found on the deepest brush, and fishing vertically with minnows is usually the best pattern.
Catfish: Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that the best fishing in July will again be in the early morning or late evening. Anchoring on humps and points and fishing with cut bait at a variety of depths is the best bet. As the spawn mostly passes, fishing should improve for both big fish and numbers of fish.
Most detailed Lake Thurmond Updates
Lake Wylie
Bass bass: Tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that during July one group of fish will be shallow feeding around bream, and another group of fish will be offshore in well-known community holes. Shallow fish can be caught on topwaters or soft plastics, and deeper fish can be caught on crankbaits and worms.
Crappie adn white perch: Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that again this month the two species will often be mixed together, commonly at the mouths of the creeks or on main lake flats. The white perch will be in massive schools that often blanket the whole water column, while crappie spread out more. Minnow rigs are often the best way to target both species but you can also troll crankbaits or jigs for crappie – and other species.
Catfish: Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that during the day drifting mid-depths with cut bluegill is a good option, while at night anchoring with cut bait and fan-casting to a variety of depths can be the best pattern. The bite should pick up once the catfish spawn completely wraps up, even though it never slowed much in June.
Most detailed Lake Wylie Updates
Midlands Area
Lake Greenwood
Black bass: Veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Greenwood reports that in July there should be a topwater bite first thing in shallow water, but during the heat of the day fish should be caught deep on worms around points and brush. There should also still be numbers of spotted bass around deeper docks.
Crappie: Captain Roland Addy (864-980-3672) reports that in July most fish should set up on main lake brush and leave the creeks. At first they will continue to take jigs, but as they get more finicky minnows may produce better. Most of the fish will be suspended in deep water, but factors like sun and cloud cover, water clarity, and cool weather can move them up and down the water column or even move them shallower.
Catfish: Captain Chris Simpson reports that channel catfish can be caught drifting cut bait or anchoring with dip baits. Flathead catfish can be caught on live bait at night.
Most detailed Lake Greenwood Updates
Lake Monticello
Black bass: BYA Fishing’s Eric Enlow of Union reports that in July most of the fish will be in deeper water off points and humps, and soft plastics, flutter spoons, or big crankbaits will be the best way to catch them. In late June the bite was excellent, but as the month goes on the fish may get more finicky and finesse tactics may become important. In July there can still be a topwater bite in the shallows early or at night. Overall, the fishing is usually better when there is current.
Catfish: Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that in July numbers of fish will be caught free-line drifting over deep water, while bigger fish can be caught anchoring cut bait on humps. This is a better month for catching lots of fish than big ones.
Most detailed Lake Monticello Updates
Lake Murray
Black Bass: Tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that in July there can be a good shallow buzzbait bite early, but you often have to fish deep brush during the day (and at night). Some fish will also be suspended offshore and feed upwards on topwater lures in the heat of summer. The rivers offer an option where shallow cover can be fishable even during the day, and the bite can be particularly good if rain creates some current.
Striped bass: Captain Brad Taylor (803-331-1354) reports that in July most fish should be in deeper water in the lower pool and at least in sight of the dam, and by the end of June most were already moving that way. This month fish will generally be caught on down-lined live herring – but other patterns could develop depending on weather and water conditions.
Crappie: Captain Brad Taylor reports that fish will continue to hold around brush in July, but in different parts of the lake you will need to fish different depths. In the upper lake you can fish shallower, while in the lower lake deeper brush closer to the main body of water will hold the most and biggest fish. Jigs can work throughout the day in the rivers, but in the lower lake minnows are often more successful – especially outside of very early or late.
Catfish: Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that both because of feeding patterns and boat traffic the night bite will be much better during July. Dip baits and a variety of cut bait will catch fish in shallow water, and long points and humps are both good places to look.
Most detailed Lake Murray Updates
Lake Wateree
Black bass: Tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports that often in July deeper patterns are more effective for Wateree bass. Shaky heads, jigs, big crankbaits, and Carolina rigs will all catch fish around offshore depth changes, but in the summer heat you may have to throw everything at them before seeing what the bass will eat. You can also target deeper docks with worms or jigs, and early in the morning there may continue to be a topwater bite off main lake points.
Striped bass: Captain Justin Whiteside (803-417-0070) reports that striper fishing at Lake Wateree is very reliable during July, as most of the fish congregate in the lower half of the lake. He locates schools using electronics and fishes with downlines and freelines. He suggests keeping a topwater rig handy as surface schooling becomes consistent during July.
Crappie: Veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports that in July fish will be on brush in the main river channel, and his preferred method will be casting Fish Stalker Lures. Minnows will also work. Fish will also be found around deeper bridges but otherwise avoid the creeks.
Catfish: Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that in July drifting in the mid-lake area with cut bait is usually the best way to catch numbers of catfish. More big fish should show up again as the spawn wraps up.
Most detailed Lake Wateree Updates
Santee Cooper
Black bass: Captain David Murdaugh jSr. (843-452-9566) reports that early there can be a topwater bite around lily pads and shallow vegetation, but during the day the best action will often be around eel grass and hydrilla beds or offshore brush and ledges. Big worms, jerkbaits and crankbaits can all work.
Crappie: Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that this month fish should continue to be caught on mid-depth brush with minnows, but as it gets very hot they could move a little deeper. It’s been a fair year for crappie and they hope to be able to continue to catch a decent number of fish in July.
Bream: Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that around the new and full moons waves of bluegill and some shellcracker should come shallow to spawn where they can be caught on crickets and worms. In between the fish are supposed to hold around the first break, but this year they have often been hard to locate. Smaller bream are easy to find on brush piles.
Catfish: Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) and Captain Bobby Winters (843-751-3080) report that to start July the best fishing is usually drifting or anchoring in relatively shallow water in less than 20 feet, but at some point the bigger fish may go deeper – although at night they can come shallow again. White perch and bream are usually good summer baits.
Upper Lake Marion: : (note: recognizing the uniqueness of this section of the lake, we will try to offer a report from the top of the upper lake whenever possible going forward): Relaxed Retreat (803-478-2800), located in Jacks Creek and the I-95 Bridge area, reports that the ecosystem at the top of the upper lake supports some very good fishing throughout July. One of their black bass guides Captain Rodney Reed (also available at 803-825-9144) reports that largemouth bass in upper Lake Marion will be holding in 5-8 feet of water during the day around the plentiful woody and weedy cover in this section of the lake, while the shallow-water topwater bite will be good early and late in the day throughout July. Crappie will be on deeper brush but biting well, while bream will be in 3-7 feet of water around weed edges and cypress tree clusters. Sporadic bedding will occur all month in shallow water. The July catfish patterns at the top of Santee typically involve fishing shallow flats less than 6 feet deep early and late, then drift-fishing deeper water along the channels mid-day. Note that nocturnal catfishing the shallow flats from an anchored setup is very productive on calm nights.
Most detailed Santee Cooper System Updates
Mountains Area
Lake Jocassee
Trout: Guide Sam Jones (864-280-9056) reports that it’s been a fantastic June, and so they are very optimistic for July. By the end of June fish had already gone very deep, and they expect to find them close to as deep as they will be all year this month. Spoons should work for most of the month but if the bite gets tougher you can try minnows. There can also be a good night bite at the dam with live bait or worms.
Most detailed Lake Jocassee Updates
Lake Keowee
Black Bass: Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that during July fish will remain in a summer pattern where they can be caught early and late off points on topwaters, while during the day fishing deeper with soft plastics is often the best option unless they are willing to come up to eat. Look out for possible schooling activity this month.
Most detailed Lake Keowee Updates
Lake Hartwell
Black Bass: Guide Lane Clark (864-254-8614) reports that typically in July some fish will be caught on drop shots and shaky heads around deep brush piles, and fish can also be “called up” to the surface offshore with topwater lures. Sometimes there is a good shallow bite in July around bream, but there are usually more fish offshore.
Striper and hybrids: Captain Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports that in July there will be a good bite in the river channel itself over deep water near timber. Sometimes fish will be over clean spots, and other times they will suspend in holes in the trees. However, you have to look at both every morning because fish have different preferences on different days. Herring on down-rods are the main pattern.
Crappie: Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports that he expected the fishing to really slow down in June, but the action was still good around a variety of types of structure and so they are optimistic for July. Fish may go deeper this month, although weather and water conditions can combine to surprise anglers. Expect minnows to out-produce jigs in the heat.
Catfish: Captain Bill Plumley reports that during July channel catfish will bite well in less than 20 feet of water on a variety of baits including cut herring, dip baits, and nightcrawlers. Flatheads can be caught at night on live bait, especially as the spawn winds down.
Most detailed Lake Hartwell updates
South Carolina freshwater recreational fishing regulations.