Lake Hartwell Fishing Report – February 2022

Hartwell: Level: 1.8 feet below 660. Temp: 51 degrees. Clarity: 1 to 4 feet, the main lake is very clear. 

Bass: Guide Matt Justice reports, “Fish are deep and on the winter pattern. Most fish are being caught 20 to 50 feet deep on points, humps and creek runs. The key this time of year is finding schools of bait. The bass are roaming a good bit and following the bait. Timing is key. The bass are not feeding very often, so taking advantage of the feeding periods is a must. Fish can also be caught shallow still in the backs of creeks in 5 to 10 feet of water. Look for running water and bait when fishing shallow. As the month progresses, look for bass to move into staging areas adjacent to spawning areas. Fish crankbaits and jigs in red and brown.”

Crappie: Guide Preston Harden, of Bucktail Guide Service, reports, “February can be a tough month. Most game fish don’t eat much as their metabolism slows. When the water temp gets below 48 degrees, the only good option is crappie. Crappie will eat no matter how cold the water gets. There are many ways to catch crappie. Small crappie minnows work great. A slip float works to get the minnow to the depth the crappie are holding. Sometimes they are 15 to 30 feet deep. Slow trolling small crappie jigs will catch lots of crappie. I like to work a 1/32-oz. jig in the shade of a dock or a bridge. I work the jig very slow on 4-lb. test line. The bite will be subtle and hard to detect. Sometimes the line goes slack as they feed up. Crappie are my favorite fish to eat in Lake Hartwell. They taste best when the water is cold. As we get toward late February, the water can get warmer in the backs of the creeks. If you fish in February, be mindful of hypothermia. I always wear a PFD when I am alone. Hypothermia will set in quickly. Have a plan to get back in the boat with wet cloths that are like wearing weights.”

Lake Hartwell Page: Archived Articles, News & Fishing Reports