Lake Hartwell
lake in South Carolina
Extensive shoreline and multiple creeks produce varied fly opportunities from bass topwater action to deeper streamer and swimbait tactics for stripers.
What's working on Lake Hartwell
- 01Black bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth) are entering fall patterns, schooling up and feeding aggressively in Lake Hartwell.
- 02Main lake humps in approximately 20 feet of water are holding active bass and stripers.
- 03Opportunities for topwater action with poppers can still occur on warmer, overcast fall afternoons, especially along weedlines.
- 04Rainbow Trout in the tailwater below Hartwell Dam are consistently feeding on midges and aquatic worms.
- 05A slower, more erratic retrieve for streamers on the lake, and paying close attention to subtle takes on nymphs below the dam, will be key this week.
Past reports week by week
9 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Woolly Bugger (Olive) (Bass)
A classic and versatile streamer, the olive Woolly Bugger imitates leeches and baitfish, which are consistent food sources for actively feeding bass and sunfish as they enter fall patterns.
Crayfish (Fly) (Olive/Rust)
Crayfish are a primary food source for Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass in rocky areas of Lake Hartwell, making this a crucial subsurface pattern when stripped along the bottom.
Articulated Streamer (Drunk Sculpin)
Sculpin patterns are excellent for fall bass, imitating larger baitfish that predatory bass key on in cooling waters, especially over main lake humps.
Buy at AmazonZebra Midge
Below Hartwell Dam, midges are a primary and consistent food source for Rainbow Trout year-round. This weighted pattern gets into the strike zone.
Buy at AmazonPopping Bug (Bass)
On warmer fall days in southern regions, topwater action can still occur. This popper creates an enticing surface disturbance, drawing aggressive strikes from sunfish and bass.
Squirmy Wormy
Imitates aquatic worms, a consistent food source in tailwater environments below Hartwell Dam, and particularly effective after any rainfall or flow fluctuations.
Buy at AmazonGame Changer (Shad)
Articulated shad imitations are highly effective in the fall, mimicking abundant baitfish as bass and stripers form larger schools and feed aggressively.
Clouser Minnow (Bass) (Chartreuse/White)
A universal baitfish imitation, effective for various predatory species including Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Striped Bass, especially when they are actively feeding on schools of baitfish.
Where to fish and who to ask
Hartwell Marina / Anderson County Ramp
Popular launch with immediate access to productive creek mouths and flats.
Keowee/Tugaloo Confluence / Tugaloo Point
Transition area between arms concentrating bait and predators; a go-to for bass and stripers.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Jocassee Outfitters Fly Shop
Get Lake Hartwell reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
South Carolina season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
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Quick answers
Common questions about Lake Hartwell.
What flies work best on Lake Hartwell?
Our top scored fly patterns for Lake Hartwell right now are Clouser Minnow (Bass) (80% confidence), Woolly Bugger (Black/Olive) (80% confidence), Game Changer (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Lake Hartwell?
Lake Hartwell holds Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass, Smallmouth Bass. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Lake Hartwell fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Lake Hartwell each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.