Lake Thurmond (Clarks Hill) is at its lowest level in at least 10 years
The gauge on Lake Thurmond (Clarks Hill) reads 317.7 ft, under the lowest reading in our records, which go back to 2016. What that means for launching, for safety and for the fishing.
Lake Thurmond (Clarks Hill) reads 317.7 ft on the gauge, 0.1 ft below the previous low in our records, which cover 2016 to today. For this time of year that is 6.9 ft below normal. It moved 0.4 ft down in the past week.
Numbers like this reset what counts as normal on Lake Thurmond (Clarks Hill): the spots, the launch and the safe water are all different from a typical November.
What the gauge says
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 317.8 to 334.5 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.
With about 71,100 acres at full pool, Lake Thurmond (Clarks Hill) is a lot of water to cover. It runs around 180 ft at its deepest. The main targets on Lake Thurmond (Clarks Hill) are striped bass, largemouth bass and crappie. Even a few feet of change moves the edge of the water a long way on flat banks.
Where the fish go on very low water
Very low water squeezes the whole lake into less room: fish that spread over flats in a normal year stack on the few points, channel bends and deep holes left, which makes them easier to find and quicker to spook.
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 Thurmond (Clarks Hill) are worth a try. This is a comfortable range for stripers and white bass; watch for birds diving on bait. Early-morning topwater, then they go deep.
Next up, largemouth bass: a solid pick. The 60s are a sweet spot: bass are active, roam widely and will chase moving baits. They chase baitfish into creeks and coves.
Crappie here are catchable with patience. In the 60s crappie spread out over brush and docks in the 8 to 15 ft range. Try docks and brush at mid depth.
Where to start
The marked spot on Lake Thurmond (Clarks Hill) is a wind-blown bank. Today's west wind pushes bait into this bank across open water. Expect striped bass and largemouth bass there; try swimbait or live shad where bait is. The best window there is 6:15 am to 8:30 am.
Where the season stands
Where does November leave a lake like Lake Thurmond (Clarks Hill)? Mid-to-late fall is when southern reservoirs finally cool off. Shad push into the backs of creeks and coves, and bass, stripers and crappie follow them. On Lake Thurmond (Clarks Hill) at 67°F, largemouth bass and catfish fit that pattern best.
Making it work on the water
- Set your depth for 67°F water: The surface is 67°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. Largemouth bass: they chase baitfish into creeks and coves.
- 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 16 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.
About Lake Thurmond (Clarks Hill)
Lake Thurmond (Clarks Hill) spreads over about 71,100 acres at full pool. It runs around 180 ft at its deepest. Anglers come to Lake Thurmond (Clarks Hill) for striped bass, largemouth bass and crappie. Knowing which fish are comfortable at today's temperature narrows a big lake down to a few good spots.
The week ahead
For the calmest weather, Wednesday is the pick of the next few days: mostly cloudy, wind around 7 mph and a high near 73°F. The wind builds to its strongest on Thursday, out of the west at 16 mph. Highs slide from about 73°F to 59°F over the stretch, so dress in layers for the early start.
Circle Friday, Saturday and Sunday on the calendar: 5 of the next 7 days rate good or better. On Wednesday the strongest window runs 6:15 am to 8:30 am, and on Thursday 6:15 am to 8:00 am.
Questions
How deep is Lake Thurmond (Clarks Hill)?
Around 180 ft at its deepest. It covers about 71,100 acres at full pool.
How warm is Lake Thurmond (Clarks Hill) right now?
About 67°F at the surface on the latest clear reading (a few days ago). Shallow coves can run a few degrees warmer on sunny afternoons.
Lake Thurmond (Clarks Hill) every morning
Water temperature, level, wind and bite times on your phone.
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