Fishing Report (Updated 11.11.2009)

Lake Russell is at 473.  

Perch: Very good.  Guide Wendell Wilson (706-283-3336) reports that a mixed bag of white and yellow perch is being caught with minnows fished just off the bottom or jigging spoons.  Fish are 25-30 feet deep and they are following the bait onto flats and halfway up the creeks.

Catfish: Good.  Guide Wendell Wilson reports that channel catfish are being picked up with minnows when his boat is fishing for perch.  To target cats specifically fish on the bottom in 25-30 feet of water with cut herring. 

Striped Bass:  Fair to good.  Guide Wendell Wilson reports that striped bass are scattered throughout the lake and can be found in the lower lake, up near the Hartwell dam and up creeks.  The best technique right now is down lining 15-20 feet deep over timber in 40-50 feet of water.  It’s tough to use the birds as a guide right now but in the next few weeks that pattern should begin. 

Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Fair.  Guide Wendell Wilson reports that largemouth bass fishing has gotten tough.  The best bet is throwing topwater lures like Spooks, Sammys and Chug Bugs early in the morning around standing timber in coves.  Spotted bass fishing is better; use drop shot rigs or fish jigging spoons vertically around brush 22-28 feet deep in coves.  To read about fall bass fishing on Lake Russell with Guide Wendell Wilson visit: http://www.scfishingreport.com/Pages/sc_message_boards/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=80&t=2853.

Crappie: Slow to fair.  Guide Wendell Wilson reports that the crappie bite has been sporadic and only a few fish are being caught off of each brushpile.  Fish 10-12 feet down over brushpiles 20-25 feet deep in coves and up the creeks.  Minnows are working better than jigs right now. 

DHEC Fish Advisory: Only one meal per week of largemouth or spotted bass.   

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