Lake Information for Clarks Hill Reservoir

Crappie fishing was excellent last year and looks the same for 2008. Crappie will average ¾ lbs. with the bigger slabs going 1 ½ to 2 ½ lbs. Fishing, Soap, Grays and Newford Creeks and Little River near Raysville are great spots for spring crappie. There are several fish attractors in the lake and they will come into full play when the spring spawning frenzy ends. Fish attractors are a great place to take kids fishing. In addition to crappie, they hold good numbers of shellcrackers, bluegill, largemouth bass and catfish. Late summer and fall are a great time to fish under the bridges for feisty papermouths. Try the backs of creeks such as Big, Hart, Dry Fork, Knoblick and Cherokee for winter and pre-spawn action.

The COE resumed reverse-flow generation at Russell Dam in September 2002. Fishing success for striped and hybrid bass below this dam, located in the uppermost section of Clarks Hill Lake, is expected to decrease, particularly at night due to increased flow and water temperature from reverse-flow generation. A wet 2005 resulted in little pumping and minimal impact on fish behavior and fishing. A dryer 2006 and 2007 resulted in substantially more pumping.

Strong year classes in recent years are producing good numbers of fish. Average weights should range from 3 lbs. for hybrids to 7 lbs. for stripers. Winter and early spring angling areas include Big Creek, the Little River near Germany Creek upstream to Holiday Park, Soap Creek from the confluence with the Savannah River to U.S. Highway 378, the north bank of the reservoir above the dam, and major creeks near Bussey Point. Drifting live blueback herring usually provides the best results. A light to moderate breeze makes for good drift fishing. Otherwise, use your trolling motor to control speed and direction. Planer boards work great to get several baits away from the boat while trolling. Other techniques that work well are slowly trolling redfins, Norman lures or roostertails 80-100 feet behind the boat, and jigging spoons near drop-offs, ledges or humps in 20 - 30 feet of water.

WRD sampling efforts indicate there will be plenty of white perch in the lake for the next couple of years. White perch, a relative of the white bass and striped bass, are tons of fun on lightweight tackle and make an excellent meal. Look for white perch in 20-60 feet of water near ledges, drop-offs and standing timber with small jigs, spoons, or minnows working best.

A population of chain pickerel (known as jackfish) has been steadily increasing since the arrival of hydrilla in 1995. These weed loving fish are concentrated around Bussey Point, and in creeks on the lower end of the lake including Cherokee, Grays, Cliatt, Keg, Mosley and Shriver. A variety of weedless lures and surface plugs work best. A wobbling spoon with trailing pork rind, plastic lizards and hollow-faced chugger type surface plugs are some good bets for jackfish.