Thread: Lake Hartwell

Welcome to the boards Richard. The crappie are spawning right now and have been for some time on Hartwell. If I were you I would fish the back of coves and creek runs. Use small minnows of a jig tripped with a minnow fished under a float 18 to 24''. Fish the banks or any structure you see in the shallow waters. You didn't say if you are in a boat or a bank fisherman. If a bank fisherman you will be limited to where you can fish but it doesn't stop you from finding some spawning crappie. This time of year is also a great time to pull out the waders and wade around the bank of coves where grass may be, you can catch a lot of crappie in the grass and a long pole comes in handy for dipping minnows or jigs into the pockets in the grass.

thanks for the tips. I will try to let you know my results.

I'd try fishing in the backs of some of the larger creeks that should put you in some stained waters. You can probably forget fishing past the two rivers towards the dam as all that is probably very clear water.

Eastonelle and gum log are two good creeks that usually hold crappie

As a girl who fishes Hartwell at least 5 days a week, I would recommend fishing brush in 15-30 feet of water. The crappie have been in this situation for 5-6 weeks now. The fish will be 7-12 feet deep. I've consistently caught lots of fish almost every day. I have caught some fish in the backs of creeks and coves in shallow water but that fishing for me has been very inconsistent. I fish Tugaloo and the water is clearer than I've seen it in years and I think that is affecting the number of shallow water crappie in my area. I'm catching fish casting jigs with and without a cork, tight-lining minnows and vertical jigging jigs. My favorite method is casting jigs so that's what I do most of the time. The best jig color has been red head, white skirt, white hair. Good luck finding a spot to fish this weekend ....I usually avoid Hartwell on Saturdays and Sundays until after 4 pm. Hope you catch a limit (or more)!

We'll I fished Hartwell with no luck. I didn't get to spend much time on the water this weekend. I had several bites in the backs of a few creeks but was not able to land any thing. Did anyone have any better luck?