Some things are slow to change. Like the name of Clarks Hill Reservoir in Georgia. It’s also now called Lake Strom Thurmond. Clarks Hill is the official designated name by the State of Georgia, while the federal designation is Lake Strom Thurmond, which is what most folks from the long-time U.S. Senator’s home state of South Carolina call it. But there’s one thing there is no debate about. That is the spectacular fishing. The massive reservoir covers 71,000 acres, and the lake is full of gamefish. Anglers fishing the lake can expect an opportunity at a variety of species. The lake has a history steeped in competitive bass angling lore, as host of everything from past BASS Master Classics to growing numbers of events aimed at young anglers competing in high school and college fishing derbies. Clarks Hill is located just to the north of Augusta, Georgia, a city more famous for golf than fishing. But the thousands of visitors that flock to this scenic and productive lake are more interested in a good fishing hole than one with a flag in it.

Striped Bass Fishing

Bass fishermen have made the lake famous over the years as the lake became one of the most popular recreational and competitive tournament stops in the South. But the picturesque reservoir is also popular for other trophies as well. One of those is the striped bass. A common sight on the lake is boats sitting out off points or partially submerged islands watching, often with binoculars, for schools of shad to start flipping around the surface of the water. Within minutes, that is usually followed by thrashing and splashing of feeding striped bass from five to 15 pounds. Those schools of hungry stripers draw people from near and far. Topwater baits are the best, but when the fish go down deeper, anglers turn to spoons and bucktail jigs to lure the big fish onto their line. And when they bite, they put up quite a fight.

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Back to the largemouths, largemouth bass are the most sought after fish and the “glamor fish” of the freshwater species found in abundance on this body of water. Fishermen often find the best way to locate the largemouths, depending on the season, is to start out around points, work the deeper water first and then work their way in toward the shallower structure. Fish will usually be around some sort of drop-off or cover. The shallower fish are more prone to hit jerk baits, small crank baits and soft plastics like a wacky-worm. When the fish are right on the bank, a fast- moving spinnerbait will do the trick. If the fish are out deeper, the deep- diving crank baits and Texas or Carolina rigged worms with larger weights to keep the lure near the bottom are effective. The lake has some big bass in it, and the average “upper end” largemouth catch is around two to four pounds. There are also a lot of smaller schooling bass caught in the summer months.

Other Clarks Hill Reservoir Fish Species

The cooler, deep waters also hold an abundant supply of walleye for anglers to catch. They aren’t as popular as the bass, but the fish provide good eating and a lot of sport. They are fairly hard to locate, but most lake guides know where to target them. There have been sauger caught in the lake, although they aren’t popular either. But there is a lake record — 4 pounds, seven ounces — for sauger. Crappie and bream fishing is also good, especially in the spring and early summer. Crappie tend to congregate in deeper water later in the summer, and suspend in or near the river channels in the winter months. This lake is one of the most visited U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes in the nation. And one of the main reasons is because of fantastic fishing for a number of species of freshwater fish. The lake was formed by damming the waters of the Savannah River. Clarks Hill Reservoir also has numerous recreational opportunities below the dam. It is a popular area for fishing and growing as a hotspot for people looking to fish from smaller boats like kayaks. It is also a great place to just take a ride in a kayak and enjoy the scenery. There is a park and camping area located on the banks of the Savannah River below the spillway as well.