Despite rising water level at Hartwell and Russell reservoirs, enough storage area remains to delay opening the spillway gates – rumors notwithstanding.

As of this post the water level at Lake Hartwell is 663.1 feet above mean sea level, almost 2 full feet below full capacity. Both Russell and J. Strom Thurmond reservoirs have more than 2.5 feet of available capacity.

The upper basin received about 1.4 inches of rain over the last 24 hours, which is moderately less than the forecasted 2 to 4 inches we anticipated. However, natural inflows into Lake Hartwell remain greater than the current discharge rate, causing the reservoir to continue climbing.

Conditions beyond today may still require opening spillway gates at all three reservoirs, especially if the basin receives more noteworthy rainfall in the next three to five days.

Courtesy www.wyff.com

It’s a well-known fact to Upstate anglers, but now the catfish is out of the bag: When it comes to winter fishing, Lake Hartwell is one of the best lakes around.

FishingBooker named the Upstate lake one of the seven best winter fishing destinations in the country.

The site claims to be the world’s largest platform for booking fishing trips.

FishingBooer.com

“No matter what time of year you visit Lake Hartwell, striped bass fishing is always on fire,” the site said.

The website said writers looked into several factors to make the list.

They looked for destinations that have specific conditions during the colder months, like fishing season for a specific fish species, weather conditions, if there is ice fishing and the different behavior of fish species in a lake during the winter, said FishingBooker’s Rebecca Johnson

“After we found the locations that have some of these conditions, we analyzed customer fishing reports, trip reviews, and found the destinations which customers reported as locations with great fishing conditions, and overall satisfaction with the quality of the trip and the area,” Johnson said.

The article said winter is a great time for beginners to fish for stripers on Hartwell, which straddles the South Carolina and Georgia state lines.

“Stripers are preparing for their spawning season, and they tend to build up their energy more (than in the warmer months),” the article said. “This means they stick to baitfish more than usual, and they are easier to find.”

Writers also cited the fact that Anderson is just a short ride away from the lake.

“If you’re looking to relax, downtown Anderson offers an array of activities including fine dining, theaters, and spas,” the article said.

“The area has a rich history of farm and plantation life, and many tours are created by local historical societies and dedicated to experiencing the fun of the local farms.”

Two other South Carolina lakes, Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion, also made the list.

FishingBooker.com

Lake Marion, Lake Moultrie 2 of 7 best winter fishing lakes, according to FishingBooker.com

Both lakes are part of the Santee Cooper lake system and are year-round hot spots for blue, flathead and channel catfish, according to the article.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is making it easier for boaters to show they have the required boater education.

The GDNR is partnering with the Department of Driver Services that will put an indicator on your driver’s license that shows you have completed a boater education course.

That indicator will be a small anchor that will be added to the front of a driver’s license or ID card, and that will eliminate the need to have a boating safety education card with you when boating.

“Once the boater education completion indicator is placed on your DDS record, it will automatically be printed on your license or ID each time it is renewed. We are excited to partner with DNR on this customer-focused initiative,” commented DDS Commissioner Spencer R. Moore.

While all Georgia boaters do not need to complete training, many are required to complete a state-approved education program before operating a boat — including anyone born on and after January 1, 1998.

“As time moves forward, more and more Georgians will be required to complete a boater education course if they want to operate a boat on state waters,” said Georgia DNR Commissioner Mark Williams. “To be able to show that you have completed boater ed on your driver’s license will eliminate the need to carry a separate card, which is much more convenient.”

He said having the indicator on your driver’s license that shows you have completed a boater safety course is more convenient for the boater.

Boat owners and operators can enroll in a certified boater education course either online or through a classroom-based program to receive the necessary certification (www.gadnrle.org/boating-education).

Courtesy MJ Kneiser www.921wlhr.com