LakeScope

By the numbersState roundups · South Carolina

South Carolina lake roundup: 4 lakes, warmest Lake Murray at 67°F

Our weekly look at 4 South Carolina lakes: which are warmest and coolest, which levels are moving, and where the bite looks best.

Lake Hartwell: Sunrise on Hartwell
Lake Hartwell: Sunrise on Hartwell. Photo: Stelath, CC BY 4.0

From 63°F on Lake Wylie up to 67°F on Lake Murray: that is the range across South Carolina's lakes this week.

Levels are falling on Lake Murray.

Here is the lake-by-lake picture, with what each one means for the fishing this week.

67°Fwarmest waterLake Murray

Lake Murray is the warmest lake we follow in South Carolina on the latest readings.

63°Fcoolest waterLake Wylie

Lake Wylie is the coolest, 4°F behind Lake Murray.

1lakes fallingof 4

Falling: Lake Murray.

3good bites tomorrowof 4 lakes

Good or better tomorrow: Lake Marion, Lake Murray and Lake Wylie.

Warmest to coolest

The chart ranks the lakes by surface temperature on the latest clear readings. Warmer lakes keep the fall feed going longer; cooler ones are further along toward winter patterns.

55°F60°F65°F70°FLake Murray67°FLake Marion66°FLake Hartwell65°FLake Wylie63°F
Surface water temperature by lake, °F, latest clear-day reading.

Lake by lake

On Lake Hartwell the water is 65°F, and its level is steady, 8.5 ft below normal after a 1.7-ft drop over 29 days. The bite outlook for tomorrow is fair. Target striped bass: watch for birds and surface feeding.

On Lake Marion the water is 66°F, and its level is steady after a 1.4-ft rise over 29 days. The bite outlook for tomorrow is good. Target catfish: evenings and nights are best.

Lake Murray is at 67°F, and its level is falling, 2.1 ft below normal after a 2.1-ft drop over 30 days. Tomorrow's bite rates good. Best bet: largemouth bass. They chase baitfish into creeks and coves.

Lake Wylie reads 63°F at the surface. The bite outlook for tomorrow is good. Target crappie: brush piles and docks in 8 to 15 ft.

Biggest level changes

On a falling reservoir, fish slide toward points and channel edges and short ramps can end in mud; on a rising one, fish push into fresh flooded cover.

  • Lake Murray: 2.1 ft down in 30 days
  • Lake Hartwell: 1.7 ft down in 29 days
  • Lake Marion: 1.4 ft up in 29 days

All the numbers

LakeWaterLevelBite tomorrow
Lake Hartwell65°Fsteadyfair
Lake Marion66°Fsteadygood
Lake Murray67°Ffallinggood
Lake Wylie63°Fsteadygood

Lake by lake

State roundupsWater temperature

Numbers in this report are estimates to help you plan a day on the water, not official safety information. Conditions change: check the lake page before you go.

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