Fishing Lake Hartwell

AKA: Hartwell Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Lake Hartwell Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Fishing Boat Rentals
Marinas
Local Fishing Guides
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
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Lake Hartwell, SC

Popular Fish Species Lake Hartwell, SC

Lake Hartwell Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

One of the the best bass tournament lakes in the country, Lake Hartwell is also a favorite of weekend anglers. A history of careful fisheries management by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has helped to maintain a thriving bass fishery. Anglers can also catch redeye bass and spotted bass, which reside here in decent numbers. Recent results by bass fishing tournament participants, attest to the fact that fishing for largemouth bass has been quite rewarding, with an occasional bass over 6 pounds being weighed in. In Lake Hartwell, bass often move shallow and become fairly aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. If they seem disinterested in your presentations, try slowing down and use smaller, lighter baits. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, drop shot rigs, big worms, jigs and spoons are good options. In winter, spend your time fishing deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time.

Lake Hartwell Popular Fish - Hybrid Striped Bass

Hybrid Striped Bass Fishing

Ever since the introduction of hybrid striped bass, also known as wipers, into Lake Hartwell, locals and fishing guides have been smiling. As a hybrid of striped bass and white bass, they have great potential for spawning massive numbers and growing to large sizes. Fishing for hybrid stripers is a matter of locating schools of bait, and schools of hybrid striped bass are likely to be in the area. Mornings, during Fall, hybrids can be caught on topwater or shallow running lures, as they are feeding on baitfish at the surface. When they move deeper, fish finders improve your odds of locating both bait and schools of wipers. Live bait, spoons and jigs are very very effective here, and these hungry fish can be caught year round.

Crappie Fishing

Lake Hartwell continues to deliver big, fat crappie in good numbers this year. Light line and small hooks are key when fishing live bait. Crappie jigs are also productive her in a wide variety of colors. The lake has healthy populations of both white crappie and black crappie. These two species typically tend to school separately. However, once located around cover, you may find that you catch both species, due to the fact they often share the same cover. Crappie fishing can be found in varying size schools, hanging around brush, vegetation, wood or other cover. Using a fish finder any time of year can help locate these crappie schools, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels, especially areas with brush or timber in deeper water. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk.

Lake Hartwell Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, spotted bass, redeye bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, redbreast sunfish, redear sunfish, warmouth, white bass, white perch, yellow perch, striped bass, hybrid striped bass and chain pickerel at Lake Hartwell in South Carolina.

A legendary fishery in the world of competitive bass fishing, Lake Hartwell covers 56,000 acres and has healthy populations of many fish species. Located along the western border of the state, at Anderson, SC, Hartwell Lake has 960 miles of shoreline. A couple dozen SC boat launch ramps are conveniently located for easy access.

On-the-water boat rentals include pontoon boats, sailboats, ski boats, kayaks and fishing boats. More than a half dozen marinas offer services to boaters and anglers. Fishing enthusiasts can pursue bass, catfish, crappie, walleye, bluegill, sunfish, striped bass and hybrid stripers. Humps, bumps, islands, points, creek channels, ledges and backwaters all over the lake provide cover for the bass and baitfish alike. Lake Hartwell State Park and other campgrounds are available in the area.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Hartwell

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Hartwell Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Big Water Marina and Campground
Rentals: Pontoon boats and kayaks
864 226-3339

Upstate Boat Rental
Rentals: Pontoon boats
864 363-1875

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Apple Island Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off Hickory Ridge Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Asbury Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off State Road 236, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Brown Road Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the eastern section of the lake, at the north end of the Brown Road Bridge, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Broyles Recreation Area Boat Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off Smyzer Road, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Camp Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off Camp Creek Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Choestoea Road Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, off Choestoea Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Coneross Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, west side, off Coneross Park Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Double Springs Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off Double Springs Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Durham Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, off Durham Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Fairplay Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, off Boat Ramp Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Friendship Boat Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, west side, at the north end of the Coneross Creek Road Bridge, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Glenn Ferry Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, off Glenn Ferry Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Green Pond Landing South Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off Green Pond Road, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Green Pond Landing North Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off Green Pond Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Hattons Ford Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off Andersonville Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Hurricane Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the eastern section of the lake, north side, off George Smith Mill Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Lake Hartwell State Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, in Lake Hartwell State Park, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Lawrence Bridge Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast corner of the lake, at the south end of the Lawrence Bridge Road Bridge, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Martins Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, west side, off Martin Creek Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Mullins Ford Landing Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, off Mullins Ford Landing Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Richland Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off State Road 194, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

River Forks Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off River Forks Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Sadlers Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, off State Road 4-744, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Singing Pines Recreation Area Boat Ramp
Located in the southeast corner of the lake, off Singing Pines Recreation Area Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Springfield Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, off Springfield Road, this is a single-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Sunset Lane Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off Sunset Lane, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Townville Landing Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, west side, off Coneross Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Twin Lakes Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, east side, off Twin Lakes Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Twelve Mile Recreation Area Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off 12 Mile Park Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Weldon Island Recreation Area Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off State Road SD-4-236, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Marinas

Big Water Marina and Campground
320 Big Water Rd,
Starr, SC 29684
864 226-3339