Bassin’ trio

These 3 lakes are top notch in June

June is a prime time for catching largemouth bass in the Carolinas, and the action can be downright addictive if you hit the right waters. The fish are usually done spawning, and they’re hungry. That early summer transition pushes them into more predictable patterns, which makes it a fun time to chase them. The weather’s warm, the lakes are full of life, and the bass are shifting into those classic summer habits of feeding aggressively early and late in the day, and settling into deeper structure when the sun gets high. If you’re looking for a few solid spots to fish this month, here are three places that should definitely be on your radar.

Shearon Harris

First up is Shearon Harris Lake in North Carolina. This lake’s not huge compared to some others, but it fishes big and has a reputation for producing some absolute tanks. It’s loaded with submerged vegetation, standing timber, and underwater structure that all hold bass. June is a great time to get on a consistent bite here. Early mornings can be electric, especially if there’s some cloud cover. You’ll want to have a topwater bait tied on; walking baits like a Spook or a buzzbait can draw explosive strikes along the edges of hydrilla or near shallow points. As the sun rises and the water warms up, the bass slide out to deeper water, especially near the thermocline. That’s where a Carolina rig, deep crankbait, or even a football jig can work wonders. Don’t be surprised if you catch a few fish in the 5-pound range. This lake grows them thick.

Lake Murray

Down in South Carolina, Lake Murray is another top-tier bass destination in June. It’s a big reservoir with lots of variation like main lake points, creek arms, docks, and offshore humps. June fishing here can be about chasing schools or picking apart structure. Early in the morning, bass often push baitfish shallow, so it’s a good time to work a popper, fluke, or swim jig around shallow flats and points. Once the sun gets up, those fish often group up and sit on deeper brush piles, rock piles, or ledges. That’s when you’ll want to switch to a drop shot, shaky head, or a jig. Electronics help a lot on Murray. If you can find bait, you’ll often find bass close by. Dock fishing can also be solid all day long, especially if you skip a soft plastic under shady areas. Some anglers focus entirely on docks and have killer days doing just that.

Santee Cooper

Then there’s the Santee Cooper system, Lakes Marion and Moultrie. This dynamic duo is a whole different beast in the best possible way. The two connected lakes are full of fish, and they’re known for giant bass. June can offer a great mix of shallow and deep-water fishing here. The lakes have a ton of cypress trees, lily pads, grass beds, and submerged timber. Early in the morning and late in the day, fishing around shallow cover can be awesome. And frogs, spinnerbaits, and flipping baits are all good options. You can pitch a creature bait or a jig into the bases of the cypress trees and get crushed. As the day warms up, fish often move out to deeper structure, especially around the old river channel in Lake Marion or on ledges and humps in Lake Moultrie. That’s when a big worm or crankbait can really shine. This system’s also known for surprises. You might be targeting bass and end up hooking into a big catfish or a striper. But that’s part of the fun.

No matter which of these lakes you end up on, June is a time for versatility. You’ve got to be willing to change things up depending on the conditions. Wind direction, water temperature, clarity, and cloud cover can all play a part in where the fish are and how they’re feeding. One day they might be shallow and chewing on moving baits, and the next they might be holding tight to deep structure and wanting something slow.

And don’t forget the little things. Good polarized sunglasses help you spot activity on the surface, and a quality graph can point you to bait and structure. Pack plenty of water, wear sunscreen, and be patient. The bass are definitely biting this time of year. It’s just about putting in the time and dialing it in.

So tie on your favorite bait, bring your gear, and get ready for some solid action. June bass fishing in the Carolinas can be one of the most fun and rewarding times to hit the water, especially at these three solid places to start.