Lake Russell is at 473.92.

Crappie: Good.  Guide Wendell Wilson (706-283-3336) reports that his boat is catching a lot of crappie right now, but they have generally been running a bit on the smaller side. Perhaps the bigger fish are recovering from the spawn. The best pattern for catching numbers of fish has been fishing around shallow brushpiles in about 15 feet of water, or around laydowns on shady banks in about the same depth. The best cover has been up the creeks, and fishing a minnow about 3 feet under a float has been the best way to put fish in the boat.

Bass: Good.  Guide Wendell Wilson reports that the herring spawn is starting to wind down on Lake Russell, but there are still a lot of bass up shallow around shallow points, rip rap and bridge pilings. Some very healthy 4-pound spots and 5-pound largemouth have been caught recently. Early in the morning throwing a medium-sized Chug Bug in chrome and blue colors has been working, and fishing flukes either weightless or on jigheads has also been effective on long, sloping points. While most of the fish seem to be trying to fatten up on blueback herring there are still a few straggler fish bedding.

Catfish: Good.  Guide Wendell Wilson reports that catfishing is strong, with good numbers of fish being caught. Fish cut herring off main lake points in 8-15 feet of water.

Striped bass: Fair.  Guide Wendell Wilson reports that striped bass remain highly scattered, with a few fish in the Rocky River, a few in the big water in front of Russell Dam and a few up the Savannah. Regardless of location, the best pattern has been fishing herring or gizzard shad on free-lines and planer boards.

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DHEC Fish Advisory: Only one meal per week of largemouth or spotted bass.