Lake Hartwell Fishing Report – January 2009

Hartwell: Level: 20.3 feet below full pool. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website, all Hartwell ramps have a closed sign at them. However, anglers are permitted to launch at their own risk. Natural Resources Program Manager for Hartwell, Kenneth Bedenbaugh, said anglers willing to launch should use extreme caution and wise judgement when launching, and 4-wheel drive vehicles are recommended. Anyone using a boat ramp needs to inspect it carefully to make sure it is usable for their particular vehicle, boat and trailer. The best six ramps on the lake on Dec. 22 were Green Pond, Hattons Ford (next to Weldon Island), Crawfords Ferry, Big Oaks, Martin Creek and 18 Mile. Rock or gravel has been added to these ramps. A group called Friends of 18 Mile partnered with the corps to extend the 18 Mile Ramp, while the corps funded extensions at Twin Lakes and Twelve Mile. These three ramps will become more accessible quicker as lake levels rebound. Kenneth said the corps is working with a new group called Hartwell Ramp Betterment Partners to extend the center ramp at Broyles. Temp: Low 50s. Clarity: Clear on the main lake but stained in the creeks.

Bass: Josh Fowler said the bass fishing has been fair on Lake Hartwell over the past few weeks. “There is still very little fishing going on up here because of the low-water situation,” said Josh. “The best bet as we head through the next few weeks will be to look for a deep bite. Look for the fish to congregate in ditches 25 to 40 feet deep along the edges of the submerged timber. A Buckeye Lures Mop Jig worked through the center of these ditches is hard to beat. The fish like to lay right in the center of the ditch, so try to position your boat so you can cast right down the center. As you are fishing the ditch, you need to have a drop shot or a spoon handy just in case you see an active school of fish on the graph. The other option you have is to try to find a shallow cranking bite. During the winter months, there always seems to be a shallow cranking bite on this lake if you can find it. One of the big creeks up the rivers will usually have some shallow fish. A Rat-L-Trap or Shad Rap will be the best bet for any shallow fish you can find.”