Looking for your next great fishing hole? Look no further than South Carolina’s Old 96 District. Encompassing Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, and McCormick counties, the region includes six state parks and tens of thousands of acres of freshwater fishing. Here are five of our favorite fishing spots to enjoy on your next visit:
Hamilton Branch State Park
Located in Plum Branch, SC, on 71,000-acre Lake Thurmond, Hamilton Branch is perfectly situated for fishing, boating, and lakefront camping. Campers can reserve more than 150 lakefront campsites, ideal for shoreline fishing. Anglers looking for deeper waters can access the lake via two private boat ramps and fish for bass, bream, striper, catfish or crappie.
Hickory Knob State Resort Park
Also located on the Lake Thurmond Reservoir is Hickory Knob State Resort Park, a full-service, lakeside South Carolina golf resort and remote state park all rolled into one. A courtesy dock is provided for park guests to enjoy fishing for several species of bass, hybrid, crappie, perch and stripers. After you’ve caught your fish for the day, you can enjoy the park’s 18-hole championship golf course, buffet restaurant, skeet shooting, archery range, and wind down in the lodge, in a cabin, or at a campsite of your choosing.
Lake Greenwood State Park
Lake Greenwood State Park in Ninety Six, SC, is known locally for excellent South Carolina bass fishing, boating, and offers shoreline campsites and nature trails. The camping area provides easy access to the shoreline of Lake Greenwood.Two boat ramps provide private boat access to Lake Greenwood. There is a small fishing pier located near Shelter #1 and this park participates in the Tackle Loaner Program sponsored by the SC Dept. of Natural Resources.
Calhoun Falls State Park
Calhoun Falls is a beautiful, sparsely developed state park located on Lake Russell and perfect for fishing bass, crappie, bream, stripers, and catfish. A boat ramp provides private boat access to Lake Russell. A lighted marina offers 36 rental boat slips. Thirty-two of the 36 slips include water and electricity and access to sewage pump-out, restroom with hot showers and in-boat refueling. This park also participates in the Tackle Loaner Program sponsored by the SC Dept. of Natural Resources.
Baker Creek State Park
Baker Creek State Park offers two boat ramps and is known for its collection of several species of bass, crappie, catfish, bream and striper. After a long day on the water, camp in one of their 34 shoreline campsites, with excellent views, clean restrooms, and hot showers.
And that’s a wrap! If you love the idea of getting away to enjoy some fresh air, freshwater lakes, shoreline camping, small town charm, and some of the best fishing in South Carolina, the Old 96 District is the perfect place for you. Discover the Unexpected Wonders of the region and explore all there is to see and do on our website, VisitOld96SC.com.
Click here for more resources on boat ramps and fishing locations in the Old 96 District! For general fishing information and licensing rules, see the SC Dept. of Natural Resources.
