Fishing Report (Updated 6.21.2009)

Lake Wateree levels are fairly steady at just over 97% of full pool. 

White perch: Very good.  A&B Outfitters reports that white perch action is hot down around the dam.  Fish on the bottom with worms and minnows and look for offshore humps with hard or sandy bottoms. 

Striped Bass: Good.  Striped bass are scattered between the dam and Clearwater Cove along the river channel.  The best technique is still to troll in a zigzag along the river channel with four rods.  Soft plastics like the AWD Bait, swimbaits, or holographic flukes available at A&B Outfitters will work; troll two lines way back weightless and two with one ounce egg sinkers deeper and closer to the boat. 

Crappie: Good.  Marc Danque at the Crappie Hole in Chapin reports that anglers are catching fish trolling in 10 to 12 feet of water using jigs tipped with minnows.  The bite has also been strong in the Fishing Creek Reservoir above Lake Wateree. 

Largemouth Bass: Fair. Bass catches are inconsistent with some anglers getting into the fish but other reporting a tough bite.  The best sacks caught in recent tournaments seem to be coming off jigs or soft plastics fished around docks.  Fish should also be relating to deep water structure where they can be targeted with deep diving crankbaits. 

Catfish: Fair.  Captain Rodger Taylor reports that the bite for big catfish is off right now, probably related to the spawn.  However, plenty of small eating size fish in the 1.5 to 5 pound range are available.  Threadfin shad are numerous and massive schools can be seen near shore within easy netting range; these make a great cut bait.  The winner of a recent catfish tournament reportedly caught his fish by investing in a decent aerator and fishing live threadfin shad to catch blues, flatheads, and channel cats.  

No DHEC fish advisories.

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