Lake Hartwell Fishing Report July 2012

Hartwell: Level: 8.0 feet below full pool. Temp: Mid 70s. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Fair. Guide Brad Fowler reports, “Largemouth and spotted bass fishing is slowing a little as the fish are starting to suspend over deeper water and are concentrated around baitfish pretty good. There is still a topwater bite especially if you get around some schooling fish.”

Linesides: Guide Preston Harden reports, “The hybrids and stripers are leaving the upper reaches of the lake and are migrating to deep water. They are riding the thermocline down the rivers toward the lower lake. The thermocline sets up in the creeks and rivers of the upper half of the lake. Look for fish at around 30 to 40 feet deep. The thermocline will show as a band of interference on most graphs. It is usually 40 to 50 feet deep. The fish stay above the thermocline because there is little oxygen below it. A Carolina-rigged herring lowered down above the thermocline will work. Power reeling big 1-oz. jig heads and swimbaits will also get a hit. By mid-July, most fish will be in the lower lake, and bait can be presented as deep as 120 feet.”