Lake Hartwell Fishing Reports – September 2020

Hartwell: Level: Full pool. Temp: Upper 80s to 90 degrees. Clarity: The main lake is very clear, but the backs of creeks are stained from a few recent big rains.

Bass: Guide and tournament pro Matt Justice reports, “In the past few weeks, fishing has been slow and tough. Fish are in the dog days of summer lull. Fishing docks with a Neko rig has been the most reliable pattern. Look for bait in the creeks around docks. Some early morning frog action has produced a few kicker fish. The deep pattern fishing brush offshore with topwaters and big worms has been sporadic, but if the right school of fish is found, it can be productive. Look on main-lake points and humps with brush, and look for fish in it in 15 to 30 feet of water.”

Linesides: Guide Preston Harden reports, “September starts with fish in a summer pattern. The water is still hot, and fish are mostly deep. As the month progresses, the water starts to cool and the fish move around and feed more shallow. Hybrids and stripers are still going to be from mid-lake to the dam. With all the rain, there has been a thermocline in the lower lake. Most fish have been 30 to 40 feet deep. They are not eating well with the hot water. Moving the bait or an artificial up and down will get some hits. Hopefully with the water cooling in September, the bite will get better. Bass have also been biting slow with the hot water. As the water starts to cool in September, the bass will get more active. They are mostly in 15 to 30 feet deep water around structure. September sees less boat traffic, and the fish see less pressure. They should eat better as we progress through September.”