Hey I am planning to take a trip up to lake Jocassee sometime during April I was wonder if anybody had any tips, info or experience that would be helpful.
17ft Key west
I have boated up there but done no fishing. They have a nice landing and the upper lake has a waterfall of two. Very beautiful. Water will still be way chilly for swimming unless you are a seal or penguin. I used to hear about the trout fishing up there being so good. I am sure there are some upstate guys that have done some fishing up there that will come along soon.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
I’ve fished it once, we trolled drone spoon type things on down riggers and deep diving crank baits. Went 4 for 5 on decent size rainbows in 3 or 4 hours
The sight of the lake itself is as much fun as the fishing. I fished from shore there a few times, but not in a boat. Saw some beautiful rainbow and brown trout swimming around, about 10-20ft down over a pier, but was never able to get them to hit.
There is some great swimming there but you need a sand bar, and expect to hit some cold freakin water at some point lol. I wouldn’t do any diving down deeper if you’re the sort that gasps when you get a sudden, merciless chill.
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We fished it once for a week when I was a kid. Crystal clear water and gorgeous scenery. Most people fish for lake trout up there. Also keep in mind that it borders with North Carolina and if you cross over the line and fish you will need a NC fishing licence. Like others said its worth it for the scenery alone.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
Did very well up there using rattle traps. Always had the best luck on the left side of the lake, leaving from the landing. Been a long time though.
30’ Triton
250 Verados
[it borders with North Carolina and if you cross over the line and fish you will need a NC fishing licence. Like others said its worth it for the scenery alone.
'06 Mckee Craft
This is very good advice. The NC wardens will walk in to the creeks that flow into Jocassee above the state line and play sniper on fishermen. They’ll hide, take some pics and then come out and call the fishermen over. Anyone that’s illegal and thinks they can crank up and run are in for a surprise when they get back to the only ramp on the lake.
40inchreds, If you don’t have any luck trolling or deep free lining live baits for the trout, my advice is. I would take a bucket of minnows and some nightcrawlers. The crappie and catfish will be along the banks then and up in the feeder creeks. There’s a bait shop, Hoyette’s, on the road going into the lake, they are very helpful information wise and usually have about everything you might have forgot.
Throw a senko worm around any trees that have fallen in the water. You’ll catch large and small mouth bass and possibly a spotted bass. Stop at Jocasse outdoor center and ask the people who work there what to use. They will not tell you how or what to use for trout…but they will share on the bass information. Caught a 10 lb largemouth bass and a 5 lb small mouth one morning a few years back. Both on the Senko worm. Good Luck.
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I’ve fished this lake many times. Assuming you are chasing lake trout, you will need trolling grear and down riggers. Nothing heavy…light/Medium action cast or spinnig with 10lb mono. Troll slow. Lure of choice is a Sutton 44 spoon. There are many good spots to fish in the lake but the easiest one to find that always holds fish is the dam…troll up and down the dam and in front of the intakes. Fish could be anywhere between 15 and 80 feet…you will just have to mark a few and figure out where they are. On the way to the landing, stop in at Hoyts (Jocasse outdoor center)…They are full of information. Good luck.
I am going to try to fish for a little bit of everything as well as doing some exploring, site seeing and relaxing. Thanks for the help.
17ft Key west