Greenville SC
Fishing
Report

Lake Hartwell is the marquee Upstate reservoir — a 56,000-acre Corps of Engineers lake on the Savannah River chain known nationally for striped-bass and spotted-bass fishing. South Carolina and Georgia hold a reciprocal license agreement, so a general fishing license from either state is honored. Tournament destination for both BASS and FLW circuits.

Numerous public ramps maintained by the Corps of Engineers on both SC and GA sides. Marinas at Big Water, Portman, Hartwell, and Singing Pines. SC freshwater fishing license accepted; full reciprocity with Georgia. Daylight to night fishing permitted; night fishing for stripers in summer is a Hartwell specialty.

Lake Keowee is the Duke Energy mountain reservoir between Hartwell and Jocassee — clear, deep, and structure-rich. Spotted bass dominate the gamefish population, with a quality largemouth and crappie fishery rounding out the catalog. Cooler year-round temperatures and ultra-clear water demand lighter line and finesse presentations.

Multiple Duke Energy public access points and ramps at South Cove County Park, High Falls County Park, and Crooked Creek Recreation Area. SC freshwater fishing license required. Boat traffic is heavy in summer — fish early or late.

Lake Jocassee is the gem of the Upstate — a deep, cold, mountain reservoir held by Duke Energy that supports South Carolina's only year-round trophy trout fishery on still water. Brown trout regularly exceed 10 lbs; smallmouth bass and walleye round out the gamefish. Devils Fork State Park is the primary access. Surrounded by Jim Timmerman / Jocassee Gorges WMA.

Boat ramp and bank access at Devils Fork State Park ($7 day-use fee). SC freshwater fishing license required. Trolling is the dominant technique. No commercial guide access without permit.

The South Saluda below Table Rock is the closest stocked trout water to downtown Greenville — a roughly 2-mile public-access stretch (downstream of the US-276/SC-11 intersection to South Blythe Shoals Rd crossing) regularly stocked since the 1960s. Delayed-harvest sections are catch-and-release with artificial lures only from November through mid-May, then open to harvest. Tall Pines WMA frontage extends fishable water further upstream.

Pull-offs along Highway 11 west before Wildcat Wayside provide bank entry. Dug Mountain access (handicap-accessible fishing deck and sidewalk) is the easiest. SC freshwater fishing license + trout stamp required. Artificial lures only on delayed-harvest stretches.

Lake Cunningham is the largest public bass-and-bream lake inside Greenville County — a quiet 153-acre electric-only impoundment off SC-101 at the Greer line. County park amenities (boat ramp, fishing pier, picnic shelter, playground) make this the go-to family destination for an after-work or weekend trip without driving to Hartwell.

Free public boat ramp, lighted fishing pier, and bank access at the county park. Daylight hours only (park gates close at sunset). SC freshwater fishing license required for anglers 16+.

Lake Robinson is an 830-acre Greer Commission of Public Works reservoir off Groce Road north of Taylors. The dam impounds the South Tyger River. Manageable size, public bank fishing access, and a good crappie population make this an underrated weekday lake. Greer CPW maintains the boat ramp and shoreline.

Public ramp and pier off Groce Rd. Daily access fee for non-residents. Outboard motors permitted up to size limit set by Greer CPW (verify on signage). SC freshwater fishing license required.

Lake Greenwood is the warm-water alternative to Hartwell — an 11,400-acre Dominion Energy reservoir on the Saluda River chain. Strong striper/hybrid fishery, excellent crappie in winter, and one of the better blue catfish bites in the western Piedmont. Closer to Greenville than the Lake Murray big-water scene.

Multiple public ramps, including Lake Greenwood State Park, Riverside Park, and several SCDNR landings. SC freshwater fishing license required.