Lake Hartwell Fishing Report – January 2024

Hartwell: Level: 7.3 below 660. Temp: 53-55 degrees. Clarity: Water clarity is normal, with the clearest water being at the dam and gradually getting some color farther into the rivers.

Bass: Guide Tyler Campbell reports that fishing has been fair, taking 17 to 19 pounds to win recent tournaments. Typical winter patterns are in full swing. Main lake and creek ditches are holding big concentrations of fish. The fish will be in the very backs of the drains/ditches at first light and gradually move out to deeper water. The fish will not be far from the bait wherever that might be. Several baits can be good for the ditch bite. I prefer a Greenfish Tackle Bad Little Shad 1/4-oz. head with a Zoom Z-Swim in Tennessee shad. I also pair it with a Zoom Super Fluke Jr. in glimmer blue as a Damiki style. Rockpiles in 10 to 20 feet of water are also producing quality bites. A 3/16-oz. shaky head with a Zoom green pumpkin blue Trick Worm is a great choice when fishing rock. This will be my go-to bait primarily for January. Secondary points and docks will begin to become a player in January for largemouth, as well. Crankbaits like a Berkley Dime 6 and swimbaits are good choices here. The fishing will continue to improve throughout the month as the fish are feeding up in the prespawn period.

Lake Hartwell Page: Archived Articles, News & Fishing Reports