Lake Hartwell Fishing Report – Friday, June 27

 

Water’s full, surface temps are sitting in the low‑80s, and clarity is mostly clear across the lake with a slight green tint. 

 

Bass Bite

Bass fishing is fair. You’ll find spotted and largemouth around shallow coves early, but midday they’re moving to submerged structure in 18‑25 feet. Early morning get shallow with walking‑style topwater over pockets and riprap. As the sun comes up, switch to finesse worms or small soft plastics around docks and brush. Mid‑day fish crankbaits or Carolina rigs along drop‑offs and deep structure. Be patient, stay hydrated, and fish with light line on finesse bait. 

 

Striper & Hybrid Bite

Stripers and hybrids are active around creek mouths, especially in Clubhouse and Bridge Lakes, and also in the tailrace below the dam where shad are schooling. Mid‑lake use live or drifting bait in current sections. Cast aero lures like bucktails, fluke styles, swimbaits, or large jerkbaits when you see birds feeding. Look for schooling fish on forward‑facing sonar or by watching lines of birds. 

 

Crappie

Crappie action is fair, with fish stacking up on brush piles in 15‑30 feet. Use small jigs in white or chartreuse or live minnows on vertical presentations. Suspended fish around cover are the key. ()

 

Catfish & Bream

Catfish are biting around structure and bridges—chicken liver or worms on the bottom are working. Bluegill and shellcracker should be chasing crickets around shallow cover and docks.

 

 

 

Top Bait Picks 

Bass – walking topwater, finesse worms or small plastics, crankbaits, Carolina rigs

Striper/Hybrid live bait, drifting setups, bucktail/spinner jigs, fluke/swimbaits

Crappie small hair or plastic jigs, live minnows

Catfish/Bream chicken livers, nightcrawlers, crickets

 

 

 

Quick Tips

Scan shallow pockets early, structure mid‑day, and creek mouths for stripers

Keep rods rigged for shallow and deep presentations

Track schools and birds for striper activity

Use forward‑facing sonar or repeat passes on known structure

Stay patient, keep water and drinks handy it’s summer fishing

 

 

 

Hartwell is in summer mode bass are holding deep, stripers are schooling hard, crappie are on brush. Cover water, change baits with the sun, and stay sharp. Tag NOEoutdoors in your catches. Tight lines out there.