Get Ready for a Fishy Adventure on Santee Cooper!
The Santee Cooper lake system is gearing up for a fantastic week of fishing! With a mix of sunny and stormy days ahead, the weather will play a big part in the fishing action. Expect fluctuations in water conditions as rain tapers off and the temperatures begin to rise. Prime conditions for targeting species like largemouth bass, channel catfish, and black crappie have many anglers hitting the water. Don’t miss out on the best fishing times during the magic hours of early morning and late evening, especially with the new moon on the rise. It’s a great week to reel in some trophies, so grab your gear and get fishing!
Weekly Weather & Water Conditions: What to Expect
Sunday, March 15:
Daytime: A chance of rain showers between 9am and 1pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 1pm and 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 3pm and 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. East wind 2 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind 5 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
On the Water: Water temp 65°F. Water conditions will be a bit choppy early with increasing clarity. Sunrise 6:20 AM, sunset 6:43 PM.
Monday, March 16:
Daytime: Showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy. High near 75, with temperatures falling to around 64 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Night: Showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a slight chance of rain between 8pm and 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. West wind 8 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
On the Water: Water temp 62°F. Rough water with decreased clarity due to rain. Sunrise 6:19 AM, sunset 6:44 PM.
Tuesday, March 17:
Daytime: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Northwest wind around 9 mph.
Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30.
On the Water: Water temp 59°F. Water conditions will begin to stabilize and clarity improve. Sunrise 6:18 AM, sunset 6:45 PM.
Wednesday, March 18:
Daytime: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.
Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.
On the Water: Water temp 60°F. Calm water and clearer visibility. Sunrise 6:17 AM, sunset 6:46 PM.
Thursday, March 19:
Daytime: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.
On the Water: Water temp 62°F. Conditions continue to clear up. Sunrise 6:16 AM, sunset 6:47 PM.
Friday, March 20:
Daytime: Sunny, with a high near 71.
Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.
On the Water: Water temp 65°F. Clear and calmer. Sunrise 6:15 AM, sunset 6:48 PM.
Saturday, March 21:
Daytime: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.
On the Water: Water temp 68°F. Perfect conditions for fishing with great clarity. Sunrise 6:14 AM, sunset 6:49 PM.
Target Species This Week: What’s Biting
Largemouth Bass
Fish for largemouth bass this week in 4-8 feet of water over a rocky bottom using a crankbait. A slow retrieve with erratic action should encourage a strike at 6 feet.
Channel Catfish
Target channel catfish in 10-15 feet of water over muddy areas using cut bait or chicken liver. A steady retrieve with a bounce action will draw them in at 12 feet.
Black Crappie
Focus on black crappie in 2-6 feet of water near brush piles using jigs. A slow twitch retrieve with a subtle action will entice them at 4 feet.
Best Times to Fish This Week: When to Hit the Water
Largemouth Bass
Due to improving weather and warming waters, largemouth bass will be actively feeding during the early mornings and late afternoons. 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM will be the optimal time to target this species.
Channel Catfish
With water warming and lower pressure, channel catfish will be feeding in the evenings. 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM will be the best time to catch them.
Black Crappie
As clarity improves, black crappie will be actively feeding in the shallows, especially during midday. 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM will be ideal for targeting them.