Relaxed Retreat Weekly Fishing Report: Aug 23 – 30, 2026

Two of Relaxed Retreat at Carolina King's Lake Marion fishing piers at sunset.

Catch the Wave of Fishing Fun This Week!

This week on the Santee Cooper lake system promises a mix of sunny skies and occasional thunderstorms, making for an exciting fishing experience! The water conditions will trend from calm to slightly choppy, with visibility varying as weather changes. Target species like largemouth bass and bluegill are actively feeding in the shallows, while catfish are lurking deeper. Make sure to fish during the prime times for the best success!

Santee Cooper Weather and Water Conditions

Sunday, Aug 23:

Daytime: Patchy fog before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. West wind around 5 mph.
Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 2 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
On the Water: Water temp rising. Water conditions calm with clarity at 5 feet. Sunrise 6:16 AM, sunset 7:48 PM.

Monday, Aug 24:

Daytime: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. West wind 1 to 6 mph.
Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Northwest wind 0 to 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
On the Water: Water conditions remain calm with clarity at 5 feet.

Tuesday, Aug 25:

Daytime: A slight chance of rain showers between 8am and 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. West wind 1 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
On the Water: Water conditions starting to get choppy with clarity at 4 feet.

Wednesday, Aug 26:

Daytime: A slight chance of rain showers between 8am and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
On the Water: Water conditions choppy with clarity at 4 feet.

Thursday, Aug 27:

Daytime: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
On the Water: Water conditions rough with clarity at 3 feet.

Friday, Aug 28:

Daytime: A slight chance of rain showers between 8am and 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
On the Water: Water conditions continuing to be rough with clarity dropping to 3 feet.

Saturday, Aug 29:

Daytime: A chance of rain showers before 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
On the Water: Water conditions remain rough with clarity at 3 feet.

Sunday, Aug 30:

Daytime: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
On the Water: Water conditions remain rough with clarity at 3 feet.

Exciting Species to Target This Week

Largemouth Bass

Fish for Largemouth Bass this week in 5 to 10 feet of water over a rocky bottom using a spinnerbait. A slow retrieve with erratic action should encourage a strike in the shallows.

Bluegill

Target Bluegill in 1 to 4 feet of water near structure using worms or jigs. A steady retrieve with subtle twitches can entice bites throughout the day.

Channel Catfish

Fish for Channel Catfish in 10 to 20 feet of water over a muddy bottom using cut bait. A slow drag with a bottom bumping action will work best.

Flathead Catfish

Target Flathead Catfish in deeper holes around submerged structures using live bait. A slow presentation with minimal movement will attract these predators.

Prime Times to Reel Them In

Largemouth Bass

Due to the warming weather and rising water temperatures, Largemouth Bass will be actively feeding in the early morning hours. 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM will be the optimal time to target this species.

Bluegill

With the warm weather and active feeding behavior, Bluegill will be biting best in the late afternoon. 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM will be the prime time to fish for them.

Channel Catfish

Given the current trends of cloudy weather and active feeding, Channel Catfish will be best targeted at night. 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM is ideal.

Flathead Catfish

Due to their predatory nature, Flathead Catfish will be more active during twilight hours. 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM will be the best time to catch them.

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