Fishing on the Chattooga Photo Credit: Mike MacLeod

The Chattooga Wild and Scenic River, in the Andrew Pickens Ranger District, is popular for its great paddling, but you can fish it for rainbow and brown trout, and redeye bass. For trout, you'll have the best success above Highway 28 Bridge. For a really special fishing experience, try fishing the Chattooga inside the Ellicott Rock Wilderness.

The Savannah River, bordered by the lower reaches of the Long Cane Ranger District, offers good fishing for largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, striped bass, and bream. The Forest Service provides three boat ramps along the Long Cane and Little River arms of J. Strom Thurmond reservoir, a large impoundment on the Savannah River.

The Chauga Scenic River is also popular with anglers. Good access and parking are available adjacent to Cassidy Bridge on Highway 290. The Chauga flows through the Andrew Pickens district.

The Tyger, Enoree, and Broad Rivers flow through the Enoree Ranger District. All three rivers, along with several of their major tributaries, offer good fishing for catfish, bream, and bass and have several good access points along their lengths.

Turkey Creek, in Long Cane Ranger District, offers a scenic area for fishing by boat or from the bank. Redeye bass and bream are the species of choice for local anglers. Other creeks in the area providing good fishing include Steven's Creek, Beaverdam Creek, and Cuffytown Creek.

Parson's Mountain Lake in Long Cane Ranger District is a 28-acre impoundment that has both a boat ramp and developed recreational area. The lake is managed for largemouth bass, bluegill, and shellcrackers. Parson's Mountain Lake is seven miles south of Abbeville on FS Road 514 off Highway 251 between Highways 28 and 33. In the same ranger district is 12-acre Lick Fork Lake, managed primarily for catfish. A boat ramp, barrier-free fishing pier, and recreational area are available here. See Camping/Recreation for more on these lakes.

Several small ponds in Enoree Ranger District provide good fishing opportunities. These ponds are managed for largemouth bass, bluegill, and shellcrackers. Pittman Pond, with four acres, is eight miles northeast of Whitemire on Hwy 35, just south of Highway 72. Johns Creek is a 4-acre pond two miles southeast of Cross Keys on FS Road 347 off Highway 18. Sedalia Pond, with 13 acres, is two miles southeast of Cross Keys on FS Road 347 off Highway 18. Wildcat, a 7-acre pond is situated five miles southeast of Cross Keys on FS Road 347 off Highway 196. Macedonia Pond, with 11 acres, is two miles south of Cross Keys on FS Road 338 off Hwy 22.

Presbyterian Lake in Andrew Pickens Ranger District is a 4-acre pond managed for largemouth bass, bluegill, and shellcrackers. It is located on FS Road 2377, off the road to the Cedar Rifle Range.

Only electric motors may be operated on ponds and lakes managed by the Forest Service.

Sumter rangers warn that passage on many creeks can be dangerous due to the presence of fallen trees or hinged and dead trees that may fall unexpectedly. Also, beware of very slick rocks. Rangers also warn that locked cars and trunks are not completely safe. Visitors should leave valuables and unnecessary equipment at home.

Other angling opportunities in upstate South Carolina include Keowee, Jocassee, and Hartwell Reservoirs, located near Andrew Pickens Ranger District. These reservoirs offer good fishing for a number of species such as smallmouth and largemouth bass, brown and rainbow trout, and crappie. The Walhalla State Fish Hatchery on SC Highway 107 is another popular spot. Operated by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the facility is used to rear trout for stocking area waters.