Greenwood
Fishing
Report
Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, SCDNR regulations, and community fishing coverage for Greenwood lakes and rivers.
HERE Greenwood is your local source for fishing reports, conditions, and SCDNR regulations across Greenwood. Use the waters list to find lakes, rivers, and reservoirs near you, the regulations section for current limits, and the guides directory to book a trip.
- Falling barometric pressure activates feeding. Fish are on the move — work moving baits and cover water quickly.
Lake Greenwood is the crown-jewel fishery of the Lakelands region — an 11,400-acre Saluda River impoundment stretching 26 miles with 212 miles of shoreline. Owned by Greenwood County and managed in partnership with SCDNR, the reservoir supports one of the top black crappie fisheries in the South Carolina Upstate, with crappie accounting for roughly 66 percent of the total biomass harvested by recreational anglers. SCDNR surveys consistently show a healthy largemouth and spotted bass population with above-average weights. SCDNR stocks striped bass annually, adding a bonus trophy fishery that peaks in winter and early spring. The lake averages 22 feet deep with a maximum of 69 feet, providing thermal structure that concentrates fish year-round.
Five public boat ramps: Lake Greenwood State Park (concrete, two lanes), Highway 34 Duke Energy ramp (concrete), Greenwood Shores subdivision ramp (Ninety Six), Souls Harbor ramp (Hodges), and Laurens Shrine Club ramp (Waterloo). Fishing pier at Lake Greenwood State Park. SC freshwater fishing license required for anglers 16 and older. Licenses available at dnr.sc.gov or local license agents.
The middle reach of the Saluda River — all waters from the Lake Greenwood Dam downstream to the Lake Murray backwaters — is a scenic shoal-and-pool river system offering year-round angling for bass, sunfish, and catfish, plus a seasonal striped bass fishery that rivals the lake itself. Cold water releases from the Lake Greenwood Dam keep the upper tailrace productive for both warmwater and transitional species. In spring, striped bass migrate upstream from Lake Murray, stacking below shoals in the Chappells and Prosperity areas. Redbreast sunfish are prolific in rocky shoal sections; channel and blue catfish hold in deeper pools below the major rapids.
Canoe and kayak launch at SC Hwy 34 bridge on the Newberry County side (easier carry) and paved path access on the Greenwood County side. Additional access at several SCDNR fishing easements along SC 34 corridor. No motorized ramp within the immediate tailrace; small john boats can be trailered to Hwy 34 and floated downstream. SC freshwater fishing license required.
The fishing pier at Lake Greenwood State Park provides shore-bound and mobility-impaired anglers direct access to the productive shallows on Lake Greenwood's southern basin. The pier extends over the water adjacent to the main boat launch area and is one of the few lighted public structures on the lake. SCDNR operates a Fishing Tackle Loaner Program at the park — rods, reels, and basic tackle are available for free loan to visitors, making this an ideal spot for families and first-time anglers. The surrounding park cove holds consistent bream and crappie around submerged structure year-round.
State park entry fee applies (South Carolina State Parks). Pier is open during park hours, typically 7 AM to dusk (call ahead for seasonal variation: 864-543-3535). Parking in the main boat launch lot. SC freshwater fishing license required for anglers 16 and older. Tackle Loaner Program rods available at the park office at no charge.
Star Fort Pond is a SCDNR-managed state lake in Greenwood County, located adjacent to the historic Ninety Six National Historic Site. The 22–27-acre pond receives regular SCDNR management and offers quality bass, bream, and catfish fishing in a quiet woodland setting. A fishing pier provides shore access and the pond is handicap-accessible. Because it is electric-motor-only and open only on designated days, it receives light pressure and maintains above-average fish size relative to its acreage. The surrounding longleaf pine setting and proximity to the Revolutionary War-era Star Fort earthworks make this a uniquely scenic fishing destination.
Open Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, April 1 through November 1, from one-half hour before official sunrise to one-half hour after official sunset. Fishing pier on site, handicap accessible. Electric motor or paddle craft only — no gas motors. SC freshwater fishing license required. No fee for SCDNR state lake access.
Lake Secession is a 1,450-acre reservoir in Abbeville County owned by the City of Abbeville, and it sits just 20 miles from downtown Greenwood. The lake is locally acclaimed as one of the finest black crappie fisheries in South Carolina's Upstate region — crappie numbers and average size routinely surpass those on much larger lakes in the region. The lake also offers a rare spring white bass fishery in the headwaters when fish stack up to spawn in the upper tributaries. SCDNR maintains quality bass and bream populations, and jug fishing for catfish is legal here under permit. Six miles of shoreline and two public boat ramps make the lake easily accessible.
Highway 184 boat ramp (two lanes, paved) near the northern end of the lake, off Antreville Highway at the lake bridge. Lake Secession Dam bank/pier access off Old Dam Road (Lowndesville area). No motor restrictions. SC freshwater fishing license required. No fees at public ramps.
Long Cane Creek and the associated stream network in Sumter National Forest's Long Cane Ranger District provide miles of productive warmwater fishing through Piedmont hardwood and mixed-pine forest. Long Cane Creek drains into the Clark Hill (Lake Thurmond) and Lake Russell backwaters, and the Long Cane and Highway 28 Boat Ramps offer access to the secluded creek arms of those impoundments — widely regarded as some of the finest bass and sunfish backwater fishing in the region. Lick Fork Lake, a 12-acre managed impoundment within the Long Cane District (Edgefield County), has an accessible fishing pier and non-motorized boat launch. The entire Long Cane District is enrolled in the SCDNR WMA program for public hunting and fishing.
Long Cane Boat Ramp and Highway 28 Boat Ramp provide paved two-lane launches into the Clark Hill backwaters at the western edge of the Long Cane District. Lick Fork Lake Recreation Area (Edgefield County, Long Cane District) has a fishing pier and non-motorized boat ramp. SC freshwater fishing license required. No US Forest Service permit required for fishing. Fell Hunt Camp parking: $3/day fee.
Parson's Mountain Lake is a secluded 28-acre impoundment tucked into the Long Cane Ranger District of Sumter National Forest in Abbeville County. Described by the US Forest Service as a 'lesser-known jewel of the forest,' the lake is surrounded by dense hardwood and pine woodland, with nine primitive campsites adjacent to the water providing multi-day fishing access. Because motor use is restricted to non-motorized craft, the lake receives minimal pressure and supports quality largemouth bass and bluegill populations relative to its size. Bank fishing is available at multiple spots around the shoreline.
Parson's Mountain Recreation Area off SC 72 W (take SC 72 W from downtown Greenwood toward Abbeville, turn south at USFS signs). Non-motorized watercraft only (kayaks, canoes, jon boats with electric trolling motor). SC freshwater fishing license required. Primitive campsite fee applies for overnight stays.
Know a Greenwood-area fishing lake, pond, or river stretch that should be on this list? Let us know.
Report a Fishing SpotGet listed in the Field Guides section and reach active anglers across Greenwood and the HERE City Network.
List Your Guide Service
Hand-picked by the HERE Fishing desk this week. Fishing Rod Holder Smart Fish Catcher Fishing Pole Holders Automatic Spring Tip-Up Hook with….
Hand-picked by the HERE Fishing desk this week. HADORAM Robotic Swimming Lure 5.1” Fishing Lure 4-Segement Multi Jointed Swimbait Electric B….
Hand-picked by the HERE Fishing desk this week. Garmin Striker Cast, Castable Sonar, Pair with Mobile Device and Cast from Anywhere, Reel in….
Hand-picked by the HERE Fishing desk this week. Deeper PRO+ 2 Sonar Fish Finder - Portable Fish Finder and Depth Finder For Kayaks, Boats an….
Hand-picked by the HERE Fishing desk this week. Chasing Gladius MINI S Upgraded Professional Underwater Drone Set, with 4k Resolution + EIS ….
Hand-picked by the HERE Fishing desk this week. 【2025 New】FIFISH V-EVO 4K60FPS Underwater Drone with Robotic Arm, with Removable SD Card, QY….
Get featured in the Essential Gear section and reach active anglers across the HERE City Network — 100+ cities.
Learn About Gear Advertising- SC freshwater fishing license required for all anglers age 16 and older — purchase at dnr.sc.gov or authorized local agents.
- Lake Greenwood and Lake Secession: largemouth bass minimum size limit is 14 inches; daily black bass limit is 10 fish combined (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, redeye).
- Saluda River Middle Reach (Lake Greenwood Dam to Lake Murray): striped bass — 21-inch minimum and 5-fish limit Oct. 1–May 31; no size limit and 5-fish limit June 1–Sept. 30.
- Jug fishing is legal on Lake Greenwood and Lake Secession: permit required for 3–50 jugs; name and SCDNR customer ID on each jug; jugs must be off the water one hour after sunrise and not reset until one hour before sunset.
- Star Fort Pond (Ninety Six) special limits: 3 largemouth bass (12-inch minimum), 3 catfish, 20 bream per day — open Wed., Fri., and Sat. only, April 1–November 1, electric or paddle craft only.
- Sumter National Forest Long Cane District waters require only a SC state fishing license — no separate USFS fishing permit is required; all SCDNR regulations apply.
-
Yes. All anglers age 16 and older need a SC fishing license to fish public waters in Greenwood. SC residents pay $10 for an annual freshwater license. Non-residents pay $35 annually or $11 for a 3-day license. Licenses are available at SCDNR.sc.gov or at local sporting goods and tackle shops. Two Free Fishing Days — May 25 (Memorial weekend) and July 4 — require no license.
-
Lake Greenwood is the defining water of the Greenwood County area — an 11,400-acre Saluda River impoundment with 212 miles of shoreline stretching 26 miles through Greenwood, Laurens, and Newberry counties. Owned by Greenwood County and co-managed with SCDNR, it supports one of the most productive black crappie fisheries in the South Carolina Upstate. SCDNR surveys report that crappie account for roughly 66 percent of the total fish biomass harvested by recreational anglers — the species overwhelmingly dominate the lake's shallow-to-mid-depth structure. Largemouth and spotted bass are the secondary draw; veteran tournament anglers prize the lake for consistently above-average bass weights, particularly on topwater frogs around dock lanes in summer. SCDNR stocks striped bass annually, adding a trophy fishery that peaks December through February when fish suspend over deep main-lake structure. Five public boat ramps — including two at Lake Greenwood State Park — provide strong countywide access. For a change of pace, neighboring Star Fort Pond (22–27 acres, Ninety Six) is a SCDNR state lake open Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays with reduced fishing pressure and quality bream and bass. Lake Secession (1,450 acres, Abbeville County) adds another outstanding crappie and bass option within 20 miles. The Long Cane District of Sumter National Forest offers additional stream and backwater fishing on public federal lands. Verify current regulations at dnr.sc.gov before each trip.
-
Black crappie are Lake Greenwood's signature catch. SCDNR creel data show crappie make up over a third of all angler trips on the lake and approximately 66 percent of total fish biomass harvested — a dominance that is unusual even among the South's top crappie lakes. Lake Greenwood is overwhelmingly a black crappie fishery; white crappie account for less than one percent of the crappie population. The spring spawn (mid-March through late April, water temp 58–65 °F) pulls fish into 3–8 feet of water around boat dock pilings, submerged bridge supports, and shallow brush. The dominant local technique is 'dipping' — vertically presenting a 1/32–1/16 oz jig on a long graphite rod at each dock post, holding it still, then applying a subtle wrist twitch to trigger strikes. Work sunny dock sides in cold water; switch to shady sides as temperatures rise. Outside the spawn, crappie suspend over deep brush piles at 20–25 feet on the main lake from May through October. Slow trolling with curly-tail or paddle-tail jigs on multiple rods is effective for locating suspended fish — vary colors, trolling speed, and line length until you find the productive combination. By late autumn, crappie return to mid-depth structure and become accessible again to dock-fishing and casting techniques. Statewide regulations apply — no closed season for crappie; standard 30-fish per day limit. Verify at dnr.sc.gov.
-
Kayak and canoe anglers have excellent options throughout the Greenwood area. The Saluda River tailrace below the Lake Greenwood Dam offers a multi-day float from the SC Hwy 34 access point downriver through scenic Piedmont shoals and pools — redbreast sunfish, bass, and catfish are accessible from the water. Put in at the Hwy 34 bridge ramp (Newberry County side for easier carry) and take out at downstream public access points. Lake Greenwood itself can be paddled from the State Park ramp for crappie and bass along the quiet creek arms of the southern basin. On Sumter National Forest's Long Cane District, Parson's Mountain Lake and Lick Fork Lake are designated non-motorized waters offering a remote paddling-and-fishing experience through hardwood forest. The Long Cane and Highway 28 Boat Ramps on the Clark Hill backwaters allow paddlers to access miles of protected creek arms. SC freshwater fishing license required on all public waters.
-
In addition to the Saluda River tailrace, the Greenwood area is bracketed by productive Piedmont streams. Long Cane Creek drains the Long Cane District of Sumter National Forest through Abbeville and McCormick counties before entering the Clark Hill and Lake Russell backwaters — the upper creek arms are rich in redbreast sunfish, spotted bass, and chain pickerel accessible by kayak or wade-fishing. Stevens Creek (McCormick County) feeds Lake Thurmond and is one of the few legal jug-fishing waters in South Carolina (permit required). The Reedy River runs through Greenwood County at its northern edge and provides additional warmwater fishing access at multiple public points. For the most current access maps and regulations on all area streams, use SCDNR's South Carolina Public Fishing Access tool at dnr.sc.gov/lakes/access.html.
-
Lake Greenwood and the Saluda River within Greenwood County do not support a trout fishery — water temperatures are too warm in summer to sustain trout populations without the cold hypolimnetic releases that cold-water tailraces require. The nearest viable trout fishing is on the middle Saluda River forks (North Saluda below North Saluda Reservoir and South Saluda below Table Rock) in the upper Upstate, roughly 60 miles north of Greenwood. The lower Saluda River below Lake Murray (in Lexington County, approximately 60 miles east) also receives annual SCDNR trout stockings from December through May. For Greenwood-area anglers seeking trout, SCDNR's annual stocking schedules and stream-specific regulations are at dnr.sc.gov.