Thread: lake wateree white bass myth

As with many lakes, white bass are not totally gone, but their numbers have been dramatically reduced. You stated you caught 20. I can remember going to lakes Wateree and Santee 20 or so years ago and coming across acres and acres of schooling white bass. You would literally catch a fish on every cast, catching hundreds before tiring of reeling them in. These were quality white bass, with many going nearly two pounds. Back in the day, I always kept a rod in the boat equipped with a Little Cleo spoon attached as you knew every morning and afternoon the white bass would be schooling in the mouths of all the major creeks.

Originally Posted by Inkdabber

As with many lakes, white bass are not totally gone, but their numbers have been dramatically reduced. You stated you caught 20. I can remember going to lakes Wateree and Santee 20 or so years ago and coming across acres and acres of schooling white bass. You would literally catch a fish on every cast, catching hundreds before tiring of reeling them in. These were quality white bass, with many going nearly two pounds. Back in the day, I always kept a rod in the boat equipped with a Little Cleo spoon attached as you knew every morning and afternoon the white bass would be schooling in the mouths of all the major creeks.

That's right. The perch did not wipe out the entire population but I believe they have really put a hurting on them. They may be on a comeback, which would be great. But, as inkdabber said, you cannot carb them the way you did in years past. Same on greenwood. Used to catch the fool out of them. Went a good many years without seeing scale nor fin of a white bass. Then 2-3 years ago I started catching a handful a year. I hope they are making a comeback there as well. I throw all I catch back myself. Trying to do my part to save a species

I hope they get back like it use to be. They were fun to catch. If only DNR would put a catch and release on them and the stripers. It may build back up with some help. But as long as you can keep any size it will only be a few throwing them back. I certainly won't be running down there to look for them. White perch on Wylie will suffice for me until I get the urge to go to Wateree again for crappies. Thanks for the report bassandkittys.

I'd say Mabey 5% of the white bass population Mabey not even that much now ,to what they once were back in the 80's,we'd troll for em in the springtime and school chase in the summertime,,boy what fun.Im hoping they are on the comeback trail,,Dnr did cut the limits on them.It would be nice if they would stock some to help em out.

White perch did a # on white bass! not sure if they were stocked mistakenly thinking they were white bass but agree with all! and did catch a few this past fall on wateree mixed in with small stripers and white perch..I remember days at santee out of packs landing catching em til u get tired and same at cedar creek...good ole days

I am no biologist, but something has put a hurting on the white bass population. I'd venture to say the white perch did it, but I can't say for sure. They aren't extinct but they are few and far between on sc lakes. No ones goes out to target white bass anymore so that should pretty much sum it up.

And we like to see pictures of white bass as much as crappie so post them for all to enjoy!