May 25, 2013
ANDERSON, S.C. (AP) -- Low water levels at Lake Hartwell won't be a problem for the professional fishermen coming to town next week for the Bassmaster Classic.
A spokesman for tournament sponsor BASS said Thursday that water levels were being monitored for safety issues, such as previously submerged obstacles being close enough to the surface to create a hazard.
Some of the 50 competitors are already on the lake practicing for the $1.2 million tournament that runs February 22-24.
The state Natural Resources Department says Lake Hartwell is about 12 feet below its full pool.
That means some once-productive fishing holes may now be on dry land. But state biologist Dan Rankin says the fish simply move to other locations in the lake.
