Each year, Hartwell Lake is visited by more than 11 million people who come to pursue a variety of outdoor recreational experiences amidst the scenic and majestic backdrop of the lake and the lush setting which envelopes it.
Lake Hartwell, Conveniently located on the Georgia-South Carolina line at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is without doubt one of the most beautiful lakes in the Southeastern United States. It covers 56,000 acres and has 962 miles of shoreline. Having a width of about 6 miles at its widest point, the views on Lake Hartwell are both picturesque and panoramic.
Geographically, Hartwell Lake is located in the upper Piedmont although its northern reaches extend into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Because of this location, there are wide differences in soil, terrain, climate, and vegetation resulting in highly diverse wildlife habitats. These include aquatic, marsh, old field, pine-hardwood, and mixed pine-hardwood habitats which are the home for over 250 species of birds, 40 species of mammals, and numerous aquatic, reptilian, and amphibian species.Clemson University, and the Famous "Tigers" football team are located right on the lake and only a short drive. Many people travel to the Anderson area just to escape the Atlanta city and catch a "Tigers" football game.
Our home, Harmony, located in Anderson, resides in a quiet rural setting on the main body of the lake, which is fed by two rivers that come right out of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The water in Lake Hartwell is reported to be purer than in many municipal water systems.
Lake Hartwell is managed by the Savannah District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps maintains an extensive listing of recreation areas on the lake. These include boat ramps, camping areas, state parks, public-use marinas, day use areas, and "swimming' holes".
Outdoor related recreation activities which abound on Lake Hartwell and surround areas will be appealing to boaters and non-boaters alike. Coves and vast areas of open water provide the water skier with excellent surfaces to pursue this sport. Swimmers delight in the natural sand beaches that are numerous along the shore of the lake and around its many islands.
Picnicking, sightseeing, and many outdoor activities can be enjoyed at the many public recreation areas located around the lake. Numerous recreation areas provide lots of public access to the lake. Golf one of many nearby courses, fish for one of our 40 pound Striped Bass, or just relax on a quiet island or one of many natural sand beaches.
At Hartwell Lake there are approximately 25 species for birds and several species of mammals that use tree cavities for nesting sties. However, there is a shortage of these sites because many snags and dead trees have to be cut down for safety purposes. To offset this shortage, the Corps has erected more than 125 nesting boxes in selected locations around the lake. These artificial cavities are used by bluebirds, screech owls, chickadees, wood ducks, flying squirrels and many other species.Hartwell Lake affords the avid sports fisherman and the weekend angler equal opportunities for rewarding fishing experiences. With depths of 200 ft, the more than 21 species of fish have plenty of room to navigate - and yet seem ready to latch onto minnows, lures and other bait. Large mouth bass, white bass, striped bass, black crappie, and bluegill bream are but a few of these.
BREAM - Bluegill, Redbreast, Shell cracker, Pumpkinseed - Bream congregate under docks, around piers and in submerged brush. They are easy to catch using worms, crickets, and other insects as bait. Bream are responsible for introducing more youth to fishing than any other fish. Common sizes range from 3 ounces to 1 pound with the record shell cracker exceeding 5 lbs. A daily limit of 30 total Bream applies.
CRAPPIE (Black Crappie and White Crappie) are one of the most popular sport fish in Lake Hartwell. They are often caught in large numbers using minnows around piers and submerged brush. Crappie may range up to 5 lbs. with the "Typical" catch ranging from 1/2 lb to 1-1/4 lbs. A total daily limit of 30 applies.LARGEMOUTH BASS - More time and money are spent in the pursuit of this fish by anglers than any other species. They may be caught at any time of the year feeding near the shore in early morning. Most commonly fished for using artificial bait, large mouth bass range up to 16 lbs. with the "Typical" catch ranging from 1 to 8 lbs. A daily limit of 10 fish applies. Fish caught in Georgia waters shorter than 12" must be released immediately.
HYBRID BASS - A cross between a male white bass and a female striped bass, hybrids may grow to 20 lbs while the "Typical" catch is 2 lbs to 3-1/4 lbs. Hybrids are a strong and aggressive fighter making them a favorite of fishermen. Bait includes shad and blueback herring. A limit of 10 total Hybrid and Striped Bass applies.
STRIPED BASS - The granddaddy of sport fish in Lake Hartwell, Stripers range up to the recent (2/2002) record of 59-1/2 lbs with a "Typical" catch ranging from 3 to 10 lbs. Fish in the 15 to 30 lb. range are routinely caught. Preferred bait is blue back herring. Striped bass will sometimes push schools of bait fish to the surface then feed in a frenzy. A limit of 10 total Hybrid and Striped Bass applies.
