What fish bite in summer in the South?

Crappie, Largemouth bass and Catfish. Hot water. Deeper brush and bridge pilings, early or at night.

Which lake is best for summer fishing in the South?

Lake Jocassee in South Carolina keeps cold, deep water; Summersville Lake is a good second choice.

Summer fishing in the South: what bites and where

Hot days push fish deep or into shade. Dawn, dusk and the night are the summer bite. Here is how the fish of the South behave in summer, and 10 lakes that suit the season.

What the fish do in summer

Crappie: Hot water. Deeper brush and bridge pilings, early or at night.
Largemouth bass: Hot water. Best at dawn, then they drop to deeper, cooler water.
Catfish: Active. Evenings and nights are best.
Striped bass: Hot water. Deep and near the dam. Fish very early or at night.
White bass: Hot water. Schools surface early, then hold deep.

1. Lake Jocassee, South Carolina

At some 7,500 acres, Lake Jocassee is a good-sized lake. You will find it within an easy drive of Greenville (about 30 miles). Jocassee Dam holds it on the Keowee River. Expect smallmouth bass, spotted bass and trout. At about 326 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. One of the clearest and deepest lakes in the Southeast, set within Devils Fork State Park. It is a clear lake, so long casts and a quiet approach pay off.

Lake Jocassee today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Summersville Lake, West Virginia

At some 2,700 acres, Summersville Lake is small enough to learn in a few trips. Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, walleye and catfish are the draw. It goes down to about 327 ft. The lake bed gives you two point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

Summersville Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Smith Lake, Alabama

Smith Lake covers 21,200 acres. It lies about 4.7 miles west of Double Springs. Expect largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass and bluegill. It goes down to about 264 ft. It is a clear lake, so long casts and a quiet approach pay off.

Smith Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. South Holston Lake, Tennessee

At 7,580 acres, South Holston Lake is a good-sized lake. It lies about 5.1 miles north of Abingdon. The fish here are bluegill, crappie, walleye and catfish. The deepest water is around 250 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

South Holston Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Hiwassee Lake, North Carolina

Hiwassee Lake spreads over 5,950 acres of water. You will find it right by Murphy. It is the Hiwassee River behind Hiwassee Dam. The fish here are smallmouth bass and striped bass. It goes down to about 250 ft. A deep TVA reservoir in the Nantahala Mountains once used by the US Navy to test torpedoes.

Hiwassee Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Herrington Lake, Kentucky

At some 2,340 acres, Herrington Lake is small enough to learn in a few trips. The lake is near Danville. The fish here are bluegill, catfish, crappie and striped bass. It goes down to about 249 ft. The lake bed gives you two sheltered coves and a point drop-off to work. Herrington Lake, formed by Dix Dam in 1925, is the deepest lake in Kentucky.

Herrington Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia

Smith Mountain Lake spreads over some 20,500 acres. The fish here are striped bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and crappie. It goes down to about 220 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Smith Mountain Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Lake Amistad, Texas

Lake Amistad covers some 64,900 acres. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass and catfish are the draw. The deepest water is around 217 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

Lake Amistad today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Lake Travis, Texas

Lake Travis covers 18,900 acres of water. The fish here are largemouth bass, white bass, catfish and crappie. The deepest water is around 210 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

Lake Travis today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas

At 45,200 acres, Bull Shoals Lake is a big lake. It holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye and crappie. It goes down to about 210 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Bull Shoals Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Reading the water

Before a summer trip, look at three numbers on the lake page: the water temperature, the wind and the bite windows. Together they say where the fish are and when they feed.