Lake Hartwell Fishing Report October 2016

Hartwell: Level: 5 feet below full pool. Temp: Low 80s. Clarity: Clear.

Linesides: Guide Preston Harden reports, “September has not cooled much, and the fish are still in a summer pattern. As with other lakes, the stripers and hybrids migrate to the area near the dam in the summer. The difference is that most lakes have a thermocline all the way to the dam and keep the fish above 40 feet deep. My better fish are coming from deeper than 80 feet deep. They are not stressed and are feeding on herring that live in the deep water. As we transition into October, there should be more surface activity. There will still be lots of fish in the deep water of the lower lake. As the month progresses, lots of fish will start to migrate back up the lake. By late month, we will see signs of turnover. If the water is brown, look for prettier green water that is not turning. Hartwell is full of hybrids and stripers. Most summer days we run out of bait in a few hours and land 30 to 40 good fish. Hartwell is also one of the least crowded lakes in the South. Whether you like to chase stripers, bass, crappie or big blue catfish, Hartwell should be on your list to fish.”