Lake Hartwell hits a 10-year low: the ramps, the hazards and where the fish went

The level in numbers

Each point on the chart is one day's gauge reading, and the dashed line is the normal level for this time of year.

The lowest water since at least 2016.

The full range in our records runs from 647.6 to 664.2 ft.

Sustained drought and steady releases downstream are what take a reservoir to a record low; a wet winter can bring it back several feet in weeks.

Lake Hartwell spreads over about 56,000 acres and roughly 962 miles of shoreline at full pool. At its deepest the lake reaches around 180 ft. The main targets on Lake Hartwell are striped bass, spotted bass and largemouth bass. On a lake with that much shoreline, a few feet of water changes the shape of every cove and point.

Where the fish go on very low water

With this little water the backs of coves are dry, the flats are inches deep and everything that swims is pushed toward the old channel and the main-lake points. Find the deepest water near a steep bank and start there.

Treat every hump, stump field and rock pile as closer to the propeller than your memory says. Idle where you used to run, and anchor with the depth finder, not with last year's spot.

What's biting

Striped bass on Lake Hartwell are in a good mood. This is a comfortable range for stripers and white bass; watch for birds diving on bait.

Spotted bass and largemouth bass here are a strong bet. The 60s are a sweet spot: bass are active, roam widely and will chase moving baits. They chase baitfish into creeks and coves.

A spot to start

On Lake Hartwell, start at the wind-blown bank marked on the map, fishing 4 to 16 ft. Today's west wind pushes bait into this bank across open water. It suits striped bass and largemouth bass; try swimbait or live shad where bait is. Down at that depth the water is about 66°F, against 67°F on top.

DamDeepest water N 5 miles

50100150200Depth, ft Free spot todayPlace to stay

See this spot in 3-D

November on Lake Hartwell

Where does November leave a lake like Lake Hartwell? Late fall at this latitude is a season of short, strong feeding windows. Fish fatten up for winter, and they key on schools of baitfish that keep moving as the water cools. On Lake Hartwell at 65°F, striped bass and spotted bass fit that pattern best.

How to fish it this week

• Set your depth for 65°F water: The surface is 65°F (a few days ago). Start shallow at dawn, then slide deeper and toward shade as the light gets bright.
• Tie on the right bait: At this spot, try swimbait or live shad where bait is. Striped bass: watch for birds and surface feeding.
• Work the edge, not the middle: Cover water with a moving bait first, then slow down with a jig or plastic where you get a bite. Position the boat in deep water and cast up onto the shallow side, so your bait falls down the slope the way fish face.
• Use the wind, carefully: Thursday brings wind from the west with gusts near 18 mph: bait stacks up on the east side, and fish follow. A light chop is a good thing: it breaks up the light and makes fish bolder.

Know the water

Lake Hartwell spreads over about 56,000 acres and roughly 962 miles of shoreline at full pool. It runs around 180 ft at its deepest. Anglers come to Lake Hartwell for striped bass, spotted bass and largemouth bass. Knowing which fish are comfortable at today's temperature narrows a big lake down to a few good spots.

What the next days bring

Saturday has the gentlest weather: wind around 6 mph, sunny, topping out near 56°F. The wind builds to its strongest on Thursday, out of the west at 18 mph. Highs slide from about 65°F to 56°F over the stretch, so dress in layers for the early start.

Circle Saturday, Sunday and Monday on the calendar: 5 of the next 7 days rate good or better.