DNR News
** Archived Article - please check for current information. **
November 20, 2014Fall trout fishing opportunities abound in South Carolina mountains
South Carolina’s mountains are a great place to visit during fall, whether you’re admiring the brilliant colors, purchasing apples from a roadside stand or just enjoying the crisp autumn weather. But while visiting South Carolina's mountains, don’t forget about the great trout fishing opportunities.
The S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages numerous streams and lakes specifically for fall and winter trout fishing opportunities.
Delayed Harvest Trout Waters
“The DNR manages five stream segments under special regulations called Delayed Harvest,” said Dan Rankin, Upstate regional fisheries biologist. "These streams are stocked generously with all sizes of brook, brown and rainbow trout. Our Delayed Harvest streams are managed under catch-and-release regulations from November 1 through May 14, and are stocked periodically throughout the fall and winter months. Delayed Harvest stream segments emphasize high catch rates and angler satisfaction.” South Carolina’s Delayed Harvest trout stream segments are:
* Chattooga River from US Highway 28 upstream about 2.5 river miles to the confluence with Reed Creek, Ga. (Oconee County)
* Chauga River from Cassidy Bridge Road upstream about 3 river miles to the confluence with Bone Camp Creek (Oconee County)
* Cheohee Creek within the property boundary of Piedmont Forestry Center (Oconee County)
* Devils Fork and Howard Creeks upstream from Lake Jocassee to the confluence with Limberpole Creek (Pickens County)
* Eastatoee Creek upstream from Lake Keowee to Roy F. Jones Road Bridge, also known as Dug Mountain Angler Access Area (Pickens County)
Put-Take Trout Streams
In addition to the Delayed Harvest areas, DNR also stocks more than 30,000 catchable trout each fall and winter into streams where harvest of five fish per day per person is allowed. For more information on the location of these streams and accessible sites consult South Carolina
Check out DNR’s Trout Fishing Guide (Pdf file).
Mountain Lakes
Some anglers may prefer to admire the reflection of fall colors in the still waters of a mountain lake. “South Carolina DNR also stocks more than 10,000 trout during fall and winter months into small mountain lakes in Upstate South Carolina. These lakes include: Oconee State Park (swimming lake), Bursons Lake, Table Rock State Park (swimming lake), and Pleasant Ridge County Park.”
South Carolina DNR stocks more than a half-million million trout in South Carolina waters each year. Studies indicate that more than 40,000 anglers fish for trout in the Palmetto State each year resulting in an economic impact of more than $14 million dollars annually. All of South Carolina's trout are produced at Walhalla State Fish Hatchery in northern Oconee County.
More News
- Entire state now in incipient drought
- Lake Hartwell fisheries habitat improvement underway in cove near Clemson DNR office
- Fall trout fishing opportunities abound in South Carolina mountains
- Youth coon hunt to be held in Georgetown on Saturday, Dec. 6
- Student Angler League Tournament Trail conducts final tourney of 2014
- S.C Conservation Bank to conserve more than 31,000 acres over next fiscal year
- New research sheds light on buck movements related to hunting
- Distinctive signs placed on DNR lands managed with prescribed fire
- Feeding, baiting of deer in black bear range not wise
- Wild hog management workshop scheduled for Dec. 11 in Ridgeland
- Freshwater fishing trends
- Saltwater fishing trends
- S.C. weekly tidetable
- DNR video
- Archived news releases
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