Fishing Report (Updated 10.24.2009)

Lake Wateree remains at 97% of full pool. 

Catfish: Very good.  Captain Rodger Taylor (803-328-9587) reports that the bite for blue catfish in the 2-10 pound range is very good drifting in the middle sections of Lake Wateree between Taylor Creek and Colonel Creek in 15-35 feet of water.  Some nice blue cats are also being caught suspended in about 20 feet over 35 feet while striped bass fishing.  Cut white perch, bluegill and gizzard shad will all work.  Because fish may prefer different baits from day to day have a variety of options on hand. 

Striped Bass:  Fair.  Striper continue to be caught in the mid-lake area drifting or trolling live bait in 20-30 feet of water.  Local anglers expect surface activity to pick up anytime now – look for the birds. 

Crappie: Fair.  Look around bridges up the creeks and fish minnows vertically against the pilings.

Largemouth Bass: Slow.  Bass fishing is still tough on Lake Wateree and weights in the first two CATT tournaments of the season have been low.  2009 Walmart FLW Co-Angler of the Year Dearal Rodgers suggests starting a fall trip on Lake Wateree by throwing a topwater lures early in the morning and looking for shad on the surface. Later in the day he suggests throwing a spot remover around docks proximate to deep water.  This early in the fall fish are more likely to be in the main lake than up the creeks.    

No DHEC fish advisories.

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