Also known as Clark Hill Lake, Lake Strom Thurmond is a man-made lake bordering Georgia and South Carolina. It is owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers, having been constructed by them between 1946 and 1954. This water body sits on the Savannah, Broad, and Little Rivers, and spans 71,100 acres. Its average depth is 37 feet, with a maximum of 139 feet.
The lake usually experiences hot summers and mild winters. A vegetative buffer is maintained along the shoreline, the purpose of which is to prevent erosion, counteract extremes of temperature, and reduce pollution entering the water. Thus, Lake Strom Thurmond provides an environment in which many fish species thrive.
Fish Species in Lake Strom Thurmond
1) Striped bass (Morone saxatilis)
The striped bass is a large game fish, capable of attaining lengths of up to 200 cm (6 ft 7 in) although individuals are more commonly found to be around 120 cm (3 ft 11 in). This fish has a stout build and is green, blue, black, or brown across the dorsum, fading to silver on the underside. Seven or eight dark stripes run laterally from the gills to the tail.
Winter is a fantastic time to seek striped bass on Lake Strom Thurmond – individuals can often be found in cool areas, usually around shallow bars and points near deep water. While juveniles consume a diet of small crustaceans, worms, and insects, adults are predominantly piscivorous – although they will also feed on larger crustaceans.
2) Redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus)
The redbreast sunfish is usually found at lengths of 10.8 cm (4.3 in), although maximums of 30.5 cm (1 ft) have been reported. This species is deep-bodied and laterally compressed, and its coloration is blue-green above, while the belly is orange-yellow in females and red in males.
Lepomis auritus prefers areas with rocky or sandy substrate and well-vegetated margins. The diet of this species includes insects, crayfish, mollusks, and fish, and good baits for redbreast sunfish are reported to include worms, crickets, and mealworms.
3) Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)
The largemouth bass is a very popular game fish. It has a maximum length of 97 cm (3 ft 2 in) although individuals are more commonly found at lengths of 40 cm (1 ft 4 in). This species can be distinguished from its relative, the smallmouth bass, by the positioning of the mouth – in largemouth bass, the mouth extends behind the eye. This fish is olive green across the dorsum and white on the belly, with a dark mottled band running laterally along the side.
Micropterus salmoides can be found in shallow areas with pockets of aquatic vegetation and clear water. Although it is fairly flexible in terms of spawning habitat, gravel is its preferred substrate. This species is affected by water turbidity: research has found that in more turbid water, individuals struggle to catch fast-moving prey.
4) Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu)
The smallmouth bass is capable of attaining lengths up to 69 cm (2 ft 3 in), however individuals are more likely to be found at just 8 cm (3.1 in). In contrast to the largemouth bass, the mouth of Micropterus dolomieu ends below the eye and does not extend beyond it. This fish is mottled in coloration, with dark vertical bars on its sides.
When it comes to spawning, male smallmouth bass move close to shore and construct a nest in the substrate. After the female has visited, courtship has taken place, and the eggs have been laid, the male cares for them alone.
5) Guadalupe bass (Micropterus treculii)
The Guadalupe bass reaches lengths of 46 cm (1 ft 6 in) and is green in color, with this pigmentation extending further down the sides than it does in other species of bass. Micropterus treculii is reported to be present in Lake Strom Thurmond, but there are few records, suggesting numbers are low in the lake.
The Guadalupe bass is classified as near threatened by the IUCN. Potential threats include the construction of dams, disease, and hybridization with other species. Small populations may experience a reduction in the gene pool, which presents a risk to their survival.
6) Spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus)
The spotted bass reaches maximum lengths of 64 cm (2 ft 1 in) although individuals are more commonly found at lengths of 30 cm (1 ft). This fish has a darkly colored dorsum, with horizontal rows of dark spots running along the body underneath the lateral line.
Micropterus punctulatus is a strong fighter when caught. Popular baits for this species include crankbaits, spinners, plastic worms, and crayfish – individuals can often be found around submerged debris.
7) Yellow bass (Morone mississippiensis)
Yellow bass are usually around 24 cm (9.4 in) in length, but maximums of 46 cm (1 ft 6 in) have been reported. This species grows slowly, and thus never reaches the large sizes of other types of bass. The coloration of this fish is silvery yellow, with the color being deeper across the dorsum and fading paler on the underside.
Morone mississippiensis can be found in areas of Lake Strom Thurmond with low turbidity and dense aquatic vegetation. There is evidence of resource partitioning between similar species within the same ecosystem; due to their smaller size, yellow bass often consume a diet of zooplankton.
8) Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)
The bluegill is a deep-bodied fish that reaches a maximum of 41 cm (1 ft 4 in) in length. The heaviest weight of this species on record is 2.2 kg (4 pounds 13 ounces) and it is a popular sport fish. Bluegills have olive green backs and a deep blue-purple lateral line, and the opercular flap is dark blue or black, earning this species its name.
Lepomis macrochirus searches for its prey by hovering motionless in the water, moving on if it does not detect anything. The amount of time spent hovering varies depending on the habitat – individuals remain longer in vegetated areas than they do in open water. Common prey items include snails, crayfish, insects, worms, and minnows.
9) Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)
Channel catfish are large, reaching lengths of up to 132 cm (4 ft 4 in). Individuals have a deeply forked tail, and their snouts are adorned with barbels, which function to detect prey. The back and sides of this species may be olive-brown or gray-blue, while the underside is silvery-white in color.
Ictalurus punctatus is a prominent species in Lake Strom Thurmond and is best fished for using baits such as earthworms, beef liver, and shrimp. Individuals are often located near the lake bottom, where they seek cover around sunken debris. This species does best in warm waters with low turbidity.
10) Black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus)
The black crappie is a type of sunfish and displays the characteristic deep body of this group. This species has silvery green coloration with irregular black spots across the sides – these are usually more densely arranged across the dorsum, becoming sparser towards the underside. Individuals are commonly found at lengths of around 28 cm (11 in).
Pomoxis nigromaculatus thrives in areas with low turbidity and abundant cover, which may come in the form of aquatic vegetation, or sunken debris such as trees and rocks. The diet of this species varies with size: small individuals consume planktonic crustaceans and Diptera larvae, while larger individuals feed on larger insect larvae and small fish.
11) White crappie (Pomoxis annularis)
White crappie are slightly larger than black crappie, with a maximum length of 53 cm (1 ft 9 in). The two species are often confused due to their similarity in appearance but can be distinguished by their coloration: gray-green on the dorsum, fading to white on the belly, with dark vertical bars running down the sides.
In areas where white crappie and black crappie overlap, the two species may hybridize – usually this is with a female black crappie and a male white crappie. One study estimates that the proportion of hybrids within a population ranges from 0 – 21%.
12) Green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus)
The green sunfish is usually found at lengths of around 20 cm (7.9 in), although maximums of 31 cm (1 ft) have been reported. This fish has a heavy build with a large mouth and is blue-green in color across the back and sides, fading to yellow on the underside.
This species resides in areas with plenty of aquatic vegetation and warm water, where it feeds on fish, insects, and crayfish. The rate of growth in Lepomis cyanellus has been found to be related to the photoperiod, with growth increasing when there is more light – it is thought that greater light levels might stimulate food consumption.
13) Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus)
The pumpkinseed is a type of sunfish that attains a maximum length of 40 cm (1 ft 4 in), although individuals tend to be around 10 cm (3.9 in). The name of this species is due to the shape of its body, and its coloration is a mixture of orange, green, and yellow, with females often being more vibrant than males.
Lepomis gibbosus is typically found in clear, warm water, where it feeds on fish, insects, mollusks, and tadpoles. Research has found that individuals forage faster in open-water habitats than in those with more structure. Individuals are also predicted to be able to alter their behavior between habitats, meaning that they can forage effectively in various locations.
14) Blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus)
The blue catfish is very large, attaining lengths of up to 165 cm (5 ft 5 in), and can be identified by its flattened dorsal fin and deeply forked tail. It is scaleless, and its skin is silvery blue in color across the dorsum and white on the underside. As with all catfish, this species has several pairs of barbels on its snout.
Ictalurus furcatus can usually be found in areas of open water over a muddy, sandy, or gravelly substrate. The diet of this species varies depending on its habitat but usually consists of small aquatic invertebrates, clams, and fish. Small blue catfish may be targeted by birds of prey.
15) Flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris)
The flathead catfish has many features in common with other catfish species, such as its scaleless skin and the barbels on the snout. This fish’s head is dorsally compressed, producing a flattened shape (hence the name). Individuals can grow to 90 – 120 cm (2 ft 11 in – 3 ft 11 in) in length and are yellow or pale brown on the back and sides, while the belly is cream-colored.
Very large flathead catfish have been caught on Lake Strom Thurmond. This species feeds nocturnally, venturing out into the shallows to consume benthic macroinvertebrates and fish. As individuals increase in size, they begin to target larger prey.
16) Yellow bullhead (Ameiurus natalis)
The yellow bullhead is a relatively small species of catfish, reaching maximum lengths of just 60 cm (2 ft). This species has a rounded tail fin, and its head is also fairly round in shape. The coloration of the skin is dark brown above, fading to cream or yellow on the underside.
Ameiurus natalis is relatively adaptable in terms of habitat, but can often be found in well-vegetated, shallow areas with clear water. Individuals will seek shelter underneath debris, and artificial studies have shown that they often rest in close proximity to conspecifics.
17) Black bullhead (Ameiurus melas)
The black bullhead is similar in size and shape to the yellow bullhead, with a maximum length of 66 cm (2 ft 2 in). Its tail fin is slightly different from that of the yellow bullhead, in that it has a small notch on it. Black bullheads have a dark, greenish-colored back and sides, while the underside is paler.
During breeding season, it is the female black bullhead who creates the nest, by excavating a small hole in the substrate. The male and female undergo a brief courtship display before spawning, and both parents have been shown to engage in parental care – usually in the form of guarding and fanning the eggs.
18) Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
The rainbow trout can attain impressive lengths of up to 122 cm (4 ft), although individuals are more commonly found at around 60 cm (2 ft) in length. The coloration of this species is striking – its sides are a combination of olive, pink, red, and yellow, with black spots.
Habitat preferences for Oncorhynchus mykiss include clear, cold water, a rocky substrate, and patches of vegetation in which it can seek cover. This species is a popular sport fish due to it being tricky to catch, and it puts up a strong fight once hooked. Suitable baits for rainbow trout include worms, nymphs, minnows, and salmon eggs.
19) Warmouth (Lepomis gulosus)
The warmouth is a type of sunfish that reaches a maximum length of 31 cm (1 ft). This species has a deep, thick body and its mouth is large, with the upper jaw extending back past the middle of the eye. Lepomis gulosus has rich brown-colored sides, with dark mottling and a golden belly.
Lepomis gulosus is associated with dense vegetation and a soft substrate – in areas without weed beds, individuals will often congregate around submerged debris such as tree stumps. When the water temperature starts to rise, spawning begins – this is usually in April. The males construct and guard the nests.
20) Walleye (Sander vitreus)
The walleye is a large game fish that can attain lengths of up to 107 cm (3 ft 6 in), although individuals are more commonly around 54 cm (1 ft 9 in). This species varies in color from olive brown to golden, with brassy flecks. The walleye’s name is due to its tapetum lucidum, which produces a pearlescent color.
Sander vitreus may have a comparatively short lifespan in Lake Strom Thurmond – individuals located further north tend to live longer, as they prefer cooler water temperatures. Southern populations also reach sexual maturity at a much younger age.
21) Red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus)
The red drum reaches a maximum length of 155 cm (5 ft 1 in) and has a strong jaw with powerful teeth used to crush its prey. This species is a copper-bronze color across the dorsum and upper sides, fading to paler silver on the belly. A prominent black spot can be seen at the base of the tail.
Sciaenops ocellatus feeds predominantly at the lake bottom, although it may be found higher in the water column. This species feeds on fish, crustaceans, and mollusks, which it may obtain by sucking them up, or by biting at the substrate.
22) Common carp (Cyprinus carpio)
While the common carp is usually found at lengths of around 31 cm (1 ft), it can grow to up to 120 cm (3 ft 11 in). This fish has a triangular-shaped head with a blunt snout, and its coloration usually ranges from pale gold to dark brown, with reddish fins.
Cyprinus carpio is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN, with threats including changes to water management and hybridization with introduced species. This species spawns in shallow areas with abundant vegetation – females may lay more than a million eggs in a season.
23) Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
The grass carp can grow to 150 cm (4 ft 11 in) but is more commonly found at lengths of just 11 cm (4.3 in). This fish is laterally compressed and has a wide head with small eyes. Its coloration is olive-brown across the dorsum, silver on the sides, and white on the belly.
Ctenopharyngodon idella is an invasive species in North America. It was initially introduced for aquaculture and the control of phytoplankton, however, populations can cause undesirable changes to the ecosystem, such as loss of aquatic plant communities and deposition of excess fecal matter.
24) Alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula)
The alligator gar can grow to enormous lengths, with some individuals reaching 305 cm (10 ft)! With a long, cylindrical-shaped body, rounded tail fin, ganoid scales, and long snout, this species is distinct from most other species found in Lake Strom Thurmond. The dorsum is usually brown, fading to a paler color on the underside.
This species is long-lived and may take ten years to reach sexual maturity. Populations do not consistently reproduce every year, meaning that numbers often fluctuate. Although the conservation status of this species is that of least concern, it may face threats due to fishing, pollution, and habitat loss.
25) Shortnose gar (Lepisosteus platostomus)
The shortnose gar reaches 88 cm (2 ft 11 in) in length and is similar in appearance to the alligator gar. It can be distinguished from this species by its snout, which is shorter and broader with a single row of teeth. The coloration is brown above and white below, and there may be black spots on the head and fins.
This species is often associated with warm, sluggish waters, and is relatively tolerant of high turbidity. Adults consume fish, crayfish, and insects, while smaller individuals feed on zooplankton and some small insects. Individuals tend to hunt by ambushing their prey.
26) Spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus)
The spotted gar has similar morphology to the shortnose gar, with an elongated, cylindrical build. It can attain lengths of up to 150 cm (4 ft 11 in) although it is more commonly found at lengths of 100 cm (3 ft 3 in). This species is dark in color, with numerous large dark spots covering the head, body, and fins.
Lepisosteus oculatus is an ambush predator and is heavily reliant on cover. The hunting success of this species has been shown to be affected by the type of prey and the amount of vegetative cover. It feeds predominantly on fish and crustaceans.
27) American eel (Anguilla rostrata)
The American eel is sexually dimorphic, with males and females being different sizes: their maximum lengths are 152 cm (5 ft) and 122 cm (4 ft) respectively. This fish has an elongated body, with a long head and small eyes. The females usually have smaller eyes than males, and are lighter in color.
Anguilla rostrata is endangered, and populations are decreasing in number. Threats to this species include pollution, invasive species, changes to water management (such as dams), and fishing. Conservation strategies such as tagging and monitoring individuals may help in restoring populations.
28) Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula)
The paddlefish is a primitive species with a long, paddle-shaped snout that has electromagnetic sensors, the function of which is to detect plankton. This species can reach lengths of 221 cm (7 ft 3 in) but is more commonly found at lengths of 120 cm (3 ft 11 in). Its coloration is blue-gray or black across the dorsum, fading to white on the belly.
Polyodon spathula is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN, with threats including habitat loss and destruction. This often occurs due to the construction of dams, channelization, dredging, and changes to the land use around water bodies. Paddlefish are also prized game fish.
29) Bowfin (Amia calva)
Like the paddlefish, the bowfin is another primitive species. It is the only living representative of the family Amiidae, which is thought to date back to the Jurassic Period. This fish is capable of growing to lengths of 109 cm (3 ft 7 in) although individuals are more commonly around 53 cm (1 ft 9 in). It has a long, stoutly built body and sharp teeth, and can often be observed gulping air. Males can be identified by a dark spot outlined with orange on the tail fin.
Amia calva makes an excellent model species for research. Scientists are interested in this creature both from an evolutionary standpoint and due to the insights it can provide into respiratory morphology (the bowfin is a facultative air-breather).
30) Rio Grande cichlid (Herichthys cyanoguttatus)
The Rio Grande cichlid is not especially large, with a maximum length of just 30 cm (1 ft). This species has a deep body and is laterally compressed. It can be identified due to it being olive-brown in color with distinctive cream and turquoise spots.
Rio Grande cichlids prefer warm water with plenty of vegetation, where they consume worms, crustaceans, insects, and plant material. In areas such as Lake Strom Thurmond where this species overlaps with populations of bluegill, aggressive interactions may occur between the two types of fish.
Did we miss any fish from the list? Does anyone have any interesting experiences or advice to share about Lake Strom Thurmond?
Let us know here in the comments!