Lake Hartwell Fishing Guides

The beginning of the year marks one of the best times to land Hybrid Bass. If it’s particularly cold and the bite is weak, you can always count on Crappie.

As long as the water temperature is over 50 degrees, most of the lake’s game fish including Hybrid, Striped, and Largemouth Bass, will bite eagerly. Crappie feed all winter, too, making for an easy dinner. 

Crappie spawning season begins and these delicious fish move closer to shore. In other news, fishing for Largemouth, Spotted, Hybrid, and Striped Bass remains strong. 

It’s the time we’ve all been waiting for! The warmer water temperatures create the ideal environment for spawning Striped Bass. To hook these fish, head into the lake’s shallow waters.

It's one of the best months Lake Hartwell! Head out in the early morning when the Striper bite is best and when it’s not too hot on the lake. The fish are hungry after spawning season and eager to eat.

Catfish come right up to shore, making for excellent bottom fishing. Bass fishing gets a little more difficult as the waters warm up but, in the right spot, you can still find good topwater action.

Beat the heat by heading out early and taking advantage of one of the most productive months on the lake. Head deep into the lake for topwater Striper and Hybrid Bass action.

Topwater remains the name of the game! Hybrid and Striped Bass make for thrilling action on the lower main lake. The bite is best early in the morning and you’ll avoid the sweltering heat.

Bass prefer cooler waters, so the Hybrid and Striper fishing on should just be getting better and better. They’ll move closer to shore, saving you from a longer trek into the lake’s deeper waters.

Cooler water fish start to move towards the shallows, making it easier to catch them. There are far fewer boats on the water but the Hybrid and Striped Bass fishing is still excellent – don’t miss out!

The fish start to migrate up the lake and into warmer, shallower creeks as winter looms. The remaining Largemouth, Hybrid, and Striped Bass, however, will greedily bite on a variety of baits.

The lake’s remaining Bass are eager to fatten up for the remainder of winter. They’re congregating in the shallows and the lake’s surrounding creeks.