The Thrill of Fishing Awaits!
Welcome to this week’s fishing report for the Santee Cooper lake system! With warm temperatures peaking around 94°F and a mix of sunny and stormy afternoons, it’s shaping up to be an adventurous week on the water. The fish are active, especially with the full moon approaching, providing ideal conditions for catching species like largemouth bass and catfish. Expect some rain, but don’t let that deter you; the fish often bite best just before and after a storm. Water conditions are stable with good clarity early in the week, making it prime time to reel in some big catches!
Weather and Water Conditions Forecast
Sunday, June 29:
Daytime: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 92. Southwest wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 72. South wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
On the Water: Water temp 85°F. Water conditions calm with a clarity of 6 feet. Sunrise 5:53 AM, sunset 8:36 PM.
Monday, June 30:
Daytime: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 101. South wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
On the Water: Water temp 86°F. Water conditions calm with a clarity of 5 feet. Sunrise 5:53 AM, sunset 8:36 PM.
Tuesday, July 1:
Daytime: A slight chance of rain showers between 8am and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
On the Water: Water temp 87°F. Water conditions slightly choppy with a clarity of 5 feet. Sunrise 5:53 AM, sunset 8:36 PM.
Wednesday, July 2:
Daytime: A slight chance of rain showers before 8am, then showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Night: Showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
On the Water: Water temp 85°F. Water conditions rough with a clarity of 4 feet. Sunrise 5:53 AM, sunset 8:36 PM.
Thursday, July 3:
Daytime: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
On the Water: Water temp 86°F. Water conditions calm with a clarity of 5 feet. Sunrise 5:53 AM, sunset 8:36 PM.
Friday, July 4:
Daytime: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny, with a high near 94.
Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 73.
On the Water: Water temp 88°F. Water conditions calm with a clarity of 6 feet. Sunrise 5:53 AM, sunset 8:36 PM.
Saturday, July 5:
Daytime: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny, with a high near 92.
Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 72.
On the Water: Water temp 87°F. Water conditions calm with a clarity of 6 feet. Sunrise 5:53 AM, sunset 8:36 PM.
Sunday, July 6:
Daytime: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny, with a high near 92.
Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 72.
On the Water: Water temp 87°F. Water conditions calm with a clarity of 7 feet. Sunrise 5:53 AM, sunset 8:36 PM.
Best Species to Target This Week
Largemouth Bass
Fish for largemouth bass this week in 5-15 feet of water over a rocky bottom using a spinnerbait. A slow retrieve with erratic action should encourage a strike at 10 feet.
Blue Catfish
Fish for blue catfish this week in 10-25 feet of water over a muddy bottom using cut bait. A steady retrieve with a bottom-bouncing action should encourage a strike at 20 feet.
Black Crappie
Fish for black crappie this week in 4-10 feet of water over submerged trees using jigs. A slow, steady retrieve with a twitching action should encourage a strike at 6 feet.
Bluegill
Fish for bluegill this week in 2-5 feet of water over a sandy bottom using live worms. A quick retrieve with an erratic action should encourage a strike at 3 feet.
Best Times to be on the Water This Week
Largemouth Bass
Due to improving weather and stable water conditions, largemouth bass will be actively feeding in the late afternoon. 6 PM will be the optimal time to target this species.
Blue Catfish
Due to warming trends and active feeding, blue catfish will be sheltering in deeper waters in the morning. 7 AM will be the optimal time to target this species.
Black Crappie
Due to favorable conditions, black crappie will be feeding in the shallows during the early morning. 8 AM will be the optimal time to target this species.
Bluegill
Due to stable conditions, bluegill will be actively feeding in the late afternoon. 5 PM will be the optimal time to target this species.