Freshwater Fishing Archives - Page 154 of 292

July 10, 2026

The SCDNR paired up with State Law Enforcement to stock trout by helicopter in the lower Saluda River on Dec 15.

SCDNR stocks 18,000 trout in lower Saluda River

As part of an ongoing effort to keep catchable populations of trout in the midlands, the SCDNR stocked about 18,000 rainbow and brown trout into the lower Saluda River just outside of Columbia on Dec. 15. […]

Slow down your retrieve and a hefty largemouth bass could be in your future this month on the Santee Cooper lakes.

Don’t take the month off – Santee Cooper fish are on as holidays near

Terry Madewell

December doldrums don’t exist at Santee Cooper in terms of good fishing opportunities. Hot action is the norm on both lakes for stripers, catfish, crappie and largemouth bass. […]

Try these rigs for cold-water crappie

Terry Madewell

Rigs for catching crappie in cold weather are designed by experts to fit the specific requirements the conditions present. […]

The size of the minnows you use can matter a great deal during the winter.

Minnow size can be crucial in cold weather

Terry Madewell

Cold water does inhibit the aggressiveness of crappie in terms of the bite, and lure and bait presentations must be on target. Limits of slabs can be caught when an angler give crappie what they want. […]

Crappie pushing the 3-pound mark aren’t common, but they aren’t rare, either, as fish feed up during the winter.

Get the drop on winter crappie

Terry Madewell

On many lakes, very definable contour changes exist where a flat drops into a river or large creek channel. During the winter, targeting this fine line, a mere few feet wide, can be the key to catching a lot of crappie. […]

Bump the bottom with flies, baits and lures if you want to hook up with winter trout.

Go slow and deep for trout with winter flies, lures, baits

Jim Casada

In late fall and winter, it is vital to keep in mind the fact that fish are cold-blooded creatures. That means that whatever the fisherman’s preferred means of taking trout — flies, other artificials or natural bait — the operative words are slow and deep. […]

An insulated set of waders, warm clothing and headgear will protect you from the cold on a day in a trout stream.

Take steps to stay warm, dry in a trout stream

Jim Casada

Mountain trout waters are cold no matter the time of year, and on a late fall or early winter day, keeping warm is a must. […]

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s best streams for fishing

Robert Satterwhite

If you like getting away from the crowds, enjoy beautiful surroundings and don’t mind working for your trout, consider heading for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on your next trip to the western end of the state. The park has some great streams, and the best ones are on the North Carolina side.

[…]

Jeff Samsel poses with a striper caught while fishing with Capt. David Hilton out of Black's Camp in Santee Cooper Country.

4-tips to help anglers catch Santee Cooper Country stripers this month

Brian Cope

Worn out. That’s what anglers who striper fish using Capt. David Hilton’s advice are at the end of a day’s fishing. […]

Guide Preston Harden shows off the kind of crappie that Lake Hartwell can produce during the winter.

Chilling out with some cold-weather South Carolina crappie

Terry Madewell

December signals the end of the calendar year, but not the end of great crappie fishing in South Carolina. The action can be sensational statewide through the cold months if anglers use the correct tactics for specific bodies of water. […]