Santee Lakes Fishing Report

Two February trout plants dropped 1,000 pounds into Lakes 4 and 6 on the 6th and another 1,000 into Lakes 2 and 7 on the 20th. Most fish are holding 10-20 feet down on main-basin breaks and outside points. Bottom-fished chartreuse or green PowerBait is getting most of the bites. Trout worms on 3-4 foot leaders are also getting fish in deeper water. Look for another stocking March 6 in lakes 3 and 6.

Bass are moving shallow in the afternoon and setting up tight to reeds or weed clumps, as that water is warming first. Jerkbaits and lipless cranks are drawing a few reaction bites, but jigs and plastics have been best, picking off fish sitting close to cover. Most are under a pound, with an occasional better one mixed in.

Santee’s trout season is underway, with Lakes 2, 3, and 4 stocked on Nov 1 and another 3,500 lbs going in today. The bite started slow opening week, but is picking up as fish settle in. A few big lightning trout have reportedly come out of Lakes 2 and 3. Micetails, PowerBait, and dropshot trout worms are all getting bit. Some anglers are tossing Kastmasters, hooking into both trout and bass.

Catfish are still biting, thanks to lingering warm water and that big 3,500 lb September stock. Mackerel and chicken livers are working best.

Bass continue to be active, with dropshots and dark-colored worms getting fish in the 1-2 pound range. With the recent stock, the bigger fish should start targeting trout soon. Now’s a good time to throw a big swimbait...Santee is known to have some double-digit giants (lake record is over 15 lbs).

Caught several small bluegill and one giant bluegill during prime morning bite hours. The small bluegill were consistently caught using PowerBait, while the giant bluegill, which weighed over 1 lb was caught using a crappie jig. All fish were caught in shallow water, ranging from 1-3 feet, near submerged vegetation. The bite was steady and active throughout the morning, with fish responding well to slow, deliberate presentations. The water was slightly stained, and conditions were calm with no wind, making for an excellent morning of fishing.