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| General Information |
The lake provides a wide variety of fish habitats, ranging from rocky bluffs on the upper Tugaloo River arm to shallow cove pockets and sandy flats in the middle and lower sections of the lake.
Angling prospects are compiled by fisheries biologists and are based on sampling efforts of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), knowledge of past fishing trends, angling experience and information provided by anglers and marina owners. For more information, contact Wildlife Resources Division, Burton Fisheries office: ph. 706-947-3112.
Many Corp of Engineers facilities have boat launch fees, user fees or both. See contact information for pricing is below. |
| Boat Ramps |
| Boat access is available at many locations around the shoreline at boat ramps operated by the Corps of Engineers and State Parks. Information on Corp of Engineers-operated ramps can be found using the contact info below. |
| Best Fishing Bets |
| Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass, Redeye Bass, Hybrid Bass and Black Crappie |
Largemouth Bass are the most sought after species on Lake Hartwell. Despite the extended drought and low water levels this past year, bass were able to find enough suitable spawning habitat to maintain stable numbers of fish. Based on surveys, biologists predict that the numbers of 2 and 4-pound bass will be above average for the coming year.
Technique - Bass are drawn to rip-rap areas around bridge abutments during the winter and early spring. Crankbaits in shad patterns, spinner baits, and curly tail grubs are good lure choices for bass holding on these rocky structures. During the spawning period, cast shallow water baits like Super Flukes, Trick Worms, Spinner Baits, and Rattlin’ Rogues around woody debris located in backwater coves and pockets.
In early summer, bass key in on shad and herring on main lake humps and points. A favorite summer pattern is fishing early mornings and late afternoons on the lower half of the lake with topwater baits like the Sammy, Zara Spook or Super Fluke near reef marker points adjacent to deep water. Fishing guides often comment how bass explode to the surface from their deepwater hideouts to take these topwater baits.
Target - On the Georgia side of the lake, Lightwood Log Creek, Gum Log Creek and Eastanollee Creek typically yield the highest catches rates. |
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Crappie - Black crappie, a seasonal favorite of Hartwell anglers, has suffered from the extended drought and low lake levels. The low levels reduced annual reproduction, but the resulting lower population numbers allowed the survivors to grow faster and larger. For the coming year, expect to catch fewer crappie, but also expect to see more fish in the 10 to 14-inch size range.
Technique - As the water starts to warm in late Februaryand early March, crappie will stack up in pre-spawn staging areas. These areas include structures in 10 to 15 feet of water like submerged trees, bridge abutments, roadbeds and boathouses. Dropping live minnows and small crappie jigs into these structures is the best bet for catching pre-spawn fish.
When the water temperature reaches 65 degrees (F) by early April, crappie move into 2-3 feet of water around visible submerged cover in backwater coves. Fishing around structure and cover is critical. Anglers also should not overlook boathouses suspended over creek channels. During the fall, large numbers of crappie congregate in submerged timber in 30 feet of water.
Target - The areas with the largest numbers of crappie on the Georgia side of the lake include Eastanollee Creek, Gum Log Creek, Shoal Creek and Lightwood Log Creek. |
Striped and Hybrid Bass - Striped bass and hybrid bass are annually stocked and support popular fisheries all year. Sampling indicates that striped bass in 10 to 20-pound weight classes are more numerous than in recent years, but stripers in the 5 pound range will dominate the catch. Sampling also indicated that the number of hybrid bass is down this year, but carryover from previous year-classes will provide above average catches of bigger hybrids ranging from 4 to 6 pounds.
Technique - Striped bass and hybrid bass inhabit similar areas because both species prey on blueback herring, threadfin shad and gizzard shad. Successful anglers take advantage of this and use live herring or artificial herring imitations, like jigs and Super Flukes, to catch fish. The same bait and lure selections work all year, but the approach changes according to the season.
During the warm weather months, as stripers and hybrids move downstream toward the dam to find suitable water at the right temperature and with sufficient oxygen, downlining herring at night is the best approach. During the fall, the surface temperature cools below 75 degrees (F) and stripers and hybrids chase baitfish at the surface, anglers should use topwater tactics with Super Flukes, Sammies or Zara Spooks.
Target - When water temperatures range from 55 to 65 degrees (F), hybrids will congregate on secondary points located in major cove arms. Stripers will also move onto shallow water points and backwater creek channels in search of baitfish. From January through May, anglers should take advantage of certain environmental conditions that favor their chances of hooking into a striper or hybrid.
These conditions include: Topography – fish secondary points and adjacent flats in the major cove arms; Time – the bite is best at dusk and dawn; Turbidity – stained/muddy water attracts fish; and Wind – fish will congregate along the wind blown shorelines. During warm weather months, stripers and hybrids migrate toward deep, cooler water near the dam. |
| Additional Info |
| Two local fishing clubs provide updated fishing reports for Lake Hartwell at the following websites. Striper Kings Fishing Report and Appalachian Striper Club Fishing Report |
| Contact Info - Website Link & Address |
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Phone: 1-888-893-0678 - Lake Hartwell Website
Hartwell Dam & Lake, 5625 Anderson Hwy., Hartwell Georgia 30643-5259 |
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Check These Out:
 Lake Hartwell Camping
and Recreation
Georgia Lakes
WMA Public Fishing Areas
GA Fishing Lakes
Georgia Rivers & Map
GA Lakes & Rivers Map
Water Safety
Fishing Trip Checklist
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