It’s easy to be surprised by South Carolina’s trout fishing. In a state better known for bass, panfish and catfish, one could be forgiven for not knowing the state has trout fishing opportunities at all.
But it does, and they are truly excellent. It doesn’t hurt that most trout streams in South Carolina also flow through one of the most beautiful parts of the state.
Virtually all of South Carolina’s best trout fishing opportunities are in the Upstate region, a rugged, mountainous area in the northwest corner of the state. Also known as the Upcountry, this region’s rivers and streams crisscross rolling Appalachian mountains and valleys.
Some of these rivers support wild trout, including the rare Southern Appalachian brook trout. That being said, brown trout and rainbow trout—both wild and stocked—are much more common.
Most South Carolina trout streams offer fishing year-round. Stocking by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources generally takes place from fall through spring, which tend to be the best seasons to fish.
Chattooga River
The Chattooga River is easily the most well-known trout river in South Carolina, and there’s a strong case that it’s also the best. Anglers especially revere this river for its wild brown trout.
From its headwaters about 10 miles above the state line in North Carolina, the Chattooga River flows southward to form part of the border between South Carolina and Georgia. Much of the river flows through U.S. Forest Service land, offering a wide range of access.
Those in search of wild trout should focus on the upper portion of the Chattooga River, above the Burrell’s Ford Bridge and Campground. Wild and remote, this section is accessible only on foot via the Chattooga River Trail, which extends from Burrell’s Ford Road to the North Carolina state line.
The upper Chattooga has excellent brown trout habitat in the form of multiple drops and pools, as well as abundant forage from insect hatches, crayfish and various minnows. Some browns reach 20 inches here.
The area immediately around Burrell’s Ford is also stocked regularly from March to November.
Newly-stocked fish are relatively easy to catch, but this area gets a lot of fishing pressure. Anglers will have a tougher time fooling holdover trout.
Brown and rainbow trout are stocked annually in the section from Burrell’s Ford downriver to Reed Creek, and the next section from Reed Creek to the SC 28 bridge is stocked with brook, brown and rainbow trout and managed under Delayed Harvest regulations.
The Chattooga River is boatable below SC 28, and this section is popular for float trips. Stocked trout, redeye bass and sunfish make the fishing interesting from the bridge down to around Earls Ford, the next major road access.
Fly anglers can take advantage of numerous hatches here, the most consistent of which is the Blue Winged Olive, which begins in February and continues on and off throughout the year. Several caddisfly species are also available, and terrestrials are important in summer.
East Fork Chattooga River
A much smaller stream than its parent river, the Chattooga’s East Fork also offers some excellent trout fishing options. The East Fork begins in North Carolina and flows southwestward, meeting the main stem a little over a mile north of Burrell’s Ford.
Wild brown trout are common throughout the East Fork Chattooga River, though they tend to run a little smaller than in the main stem. Lots of 12- to 14-inch fish are available, but individuals larger than 18 inches are quite rare.
This is a truly beautiful river, tumbling through wooded Forest Service land through a series of picturesque plunge pools. Its small size—about 25 feet across on average—and manageable current make the East Fork great for wading.
The East Fork passes right by the Walhalla State Fish Hatchery, and lots of stocked rainbow and brook trout are available in the immediate area around the hatchery. This section is, unsurprisingly, the most heavily fished part of the river.
All of the East Fork Chattooga is publicly accessible, with a hiking trail that follows the river from the hatchery down to its confluence with the main stem. Above the hatchery, several access points are available along SC 107, including the Sloan Bridge Picnic Area.
Hatches are similar to the main stem Chattooga, with Blue Winged Olives being most prolific, followed by spring hatches of Blue Quills and Quill Gordons. Little Winter Stoneflies and Little Brown Stoneflies hatch from winter into spring, and there’s a brief late March Hendrickson hatch.
Some of the East Fork Chattooga River’s small tributaries can be just as good as the river itself. Indian Camp Creek is a good one that gets little angling pressure.
Eastatoe River
More commonly referred to as Eastatoe Creek in its upper reaches, the Eastatoe River is a high-elevation stream that tumbles through a rugged gorge.
The Eastatoe offers a wide range of different fishing experiences in its various sections.
The upper part of the river is known for its population of wild rainbow trout and includes a 2-mile section that flows through a wild and remote 375-natural area recognized by the SCDNR’s Heritage Trust Program.
The Heritage Preserve section offers the largest population of wild trout. Although these fish tend to be small, they’re often surprisingly willing to nip a dry fly from the surface. Anglers must only use artificial lures and flies in this section.
Expect to find lots of fast pocket water and runs in the upper Eastatoe River, along with some beautiful plunges and a few small pools. The best wild trout fishing is about a 2-mile hike upriver from the Laurel Valley Trailhead just off US 178, which keeps all but the most dedicated fly anglers away.
Access is easier on the lower portion of the river, which flows through a mix of public and private land managed under statewide general regulations. Catchable trout are stocked throughout the section multiple times from fall through spring.
You’ll find stocked rainbow, brook and brown trout from the confluence of Laurel Creek down to Lake Keowee, where the Eastatoe River ends. Some big holdover browns reach impressive sizes in the lower part of the river.
The lower Eastatoe flows through the Jocassee Gorges Management Area and is accessible at several points, including parking areas on Cleo Chapman Road and Roy Jones Road. This section gets a little warm in summer, but it fishes well in all other seasons.
Whitewater River
A little over 14 miles in length, the Whitewater River is best known for its two waterfalls, each of which drop more than 400 feet, making them some of the tallest east of the Mississippi. But the Whitewater also offers some of South Carolina’s best wild trout fishing.
The Palmetto State only lays claim to a small portion of the Whitewater River. From the point where the river crosses over from North Carolina, it’s less than a 2-mile journey to the upper end of Lake Jocassee, of which the Whitewater River is one of many tributaries.
But that scant river segment offers abundant wild rainbow and brown trout. The SCDNR also stocks fingerlings here, which grow up in the river and take on the characteristics of wild trout.
Most fishing takes place in the 2-mile stretch between the two waterfalls. Lower Whitewater Falls is in South Carolina, while Upper Whitewater Falls is in North Carolina, so keep an eye on your orientation relative to the state line unless you carry a license from both states.
The Whitewater River is a midsized stream, about 30 feet wide on average, and consists of classic deep pools, runs and riffles. With the obvious exception of the falls, the gradient is mostly low, providing moderate current with easy drifts.
It’s not an especially fertile river, and much of the bottom is solid rock, so insect hatches are modest at best. A few mayfly and caddis species hatch in small numbers, but not enough that matching the hatch with precision is necessary. The trout here can’t afford to be that picky.
The primary access is through the Bad Creek Hydroelectric Facility, just off SC 130. It’s about a half-mile walk from the parking area to the lower falls, and anglers can walk and wade up the river from there.
Chauga River
Often overlooked due to its proximity to the much more well-known Chattooga River, the Chauga River is one of South Carolina’s best under-the-radar trout streams.
The Chauga begins just north of Mountain Rest, at the confluence of Village and West Village Creeks.
From there, it tumbles between the walls of a rocky gorge, over a series of rapids and cascades, and through several miles of the beautiful Sumter National Forest. Eventually, it empties into the Tugaloo arm of Lake Hartwell.
All of the fishable trout water in the Chauga River is hatchery-supported, particularly within the National Forest and above. It’s often thought of as a put-and-take river, but there are holdover fish and even some wild trout near the headwaters.
Brooks, browns and rainbows are all stocked here. Rainbow trout are the most common species in the upper river, but some very nice brown trout are available farther down where the temperatures in summer approach the limit of tolerance for rainbows.
Around 40 feet across in many places, the Chauga is a good-sized river, and its waters are often a little more stained than the Chattooga. The Chauga is also quite varied, with some deep pools, flatwater runs, and more tumultuous sections.
The greatest rewards tend to be reserved for those willing to bushwack their way toward the headwaters. Though there are several road access points, the Chauga is unlike many Carolina rivers in that there aren’t convenient angler trails up and down the banks.
That being said, anglers can catch plenty of freshly stocked hatchery trout from fall through spring near the major road crossings, including Blackwell Bridge and the Cassidy Bridge access a little farther down.
There’s a good population of small chubs and sculpins here, which streamer flies readily mimic. Spin anglers have success with small in-line spinners. Insect hatches are sporadic, and basic Attractor flies and Wooly Buggers usually do well.
Middle Saluda River
Perhaps the most beautiful of South Carolina’s trout streams, the Middle Saluda was the first river in the state to be recognized under the Scenic Rivers program in 1978. Along with its tributary stream, the Coldspring Branch, it meanders through several miles of protected wilderness.
From its headwaters in Caesars Head State Park, the Middle Saluda River traverses the Mountain Bridge Wilderness and flows through Jones Gap State Park, the latter offering arguably the best access.
Along the way, the Middle Saluda River drops nearly 1,000 feet in its first 5 miles. In addition to swift pocket water and several waterfalls, it has some relatively flat riffles and runs. A thick canopy of trees keeps the water cool in all seasons.
A combination of wild and stocked trout is available in the Middle Saluda River. Only the lower reaches are stocked, while most of the river offers exclusively wild trout.
Wild rainbows dominate most of the Middle Saluda River. Typical catches run 8 to 10 inches and seldom exceed 12. Some bigger wild brown trout are also available, becoming more common farther downriver.
Even some wild native brook trout are sometimes caught at the headwaters and in the Middle Saluda’s small tributaries.
The upper part of the river is accessible, but it does require a substantial hike. The Jones Gap Trail parallels the river.
A favorite section among fly anglers is the catch-and-release-only section, which begins at the footbridge in Jones Gap State Park and continues downriver to Hugh Smith Road.
Nymphs often work well for wild trout, and sporadic mayfly, caddis and stonefly hatches do occur.
Lake Murray Tailwater (Lower Saluda River)
The Lower Saluda River as it emerges from the Lake Murray Dam is a very different stream from the trickling Middle Saluda River way up in the mountains. The Lower Saluda is a broad tailwater fishery fed by discharges at the base of the dam at a crisp and consistent 60 degrees.
Flowing from Lake Murray right into the city of Columbia—about a hundred miles from the mountains—the Lower Saluda would be an unlikely place to find trout if it weren’t for the dam. As it stands, regular stocking maintains a healthy put-and-take fishery.
Young adult brown trout and catchable rainbow trout are stocked here from fall through spring. They grow fast in the 10-mile stretch below Lake Murray, and the few fish that aren’t either caught by anglers or eaten by stripers can hold over to reach trophy sizes.
The best fishing is typically right after the last April stocking, and the river features numerous rocky shoal areas that provide excellent fishing. The water is typically clear, and the current slow to moderate.
But that all depends on the water level, which can shift dramatically at a moment’s notice. Be sure to check the dam release schedule before planning your trip.
When the water is low, wading is easy and access is abundant. Hope Ferry Landing and Saluda Shoals Regional Park are a couple of the best and most popular places to get on the river. When the water is high, floating the river is necessary to get to good spots.
Midge imitations tend to be some of the most effective flies, especially during the colder months. Blue Winged Olives and Craneflies hatch in spring, and terrestrials are good in summer.
Sculpin patterns are a great choice for larger trout, including trophy-size holdover browns.
Lake Hartwell Tailwater (Savannah River)
The Savannah River forms part of the boundary between South Carolina and Georgia, and the tailwater section below Lake Hartwell provides an excellent, if unlikely, trout fishery for both states. Brown and rainbow trout are available.
Cool water from the base of the Hartwell Dam allows trout to thrive in a river that would otherwise be far too warm to support them. Even so, this is pretty much a put-and-take fishery.
Wildlife agencies in both South Carolina and Georgia stock this section of the river from March through June, and there’s good access on both sides. Trout often disperse as far upriver as the actual base of the dam and as far down as the Lake Russell headwaters.
The Savannah is a major river, up to 1,000 feet across in places, though much of it is shallow enough to permit wading when water is low. As with the Lower Saluda River, water can rise quickly when the dam is open, so check the release schedule beforehand.
Unsurprisingly, the river fishes best at times of low flow. Most anglers fish from the bank or from fishing piers and platforms on either side. In South Carolina, the Savannah River Access site on Utz Road is a favorite spot, along with the Smith McGee Boat Access a little farther downriver.
The hatchery-raised trout here don’t tend to be very picky when it comes to bait. Plenty fall for live nightcrawlers and salmon eggs, as well as spinners and spoons. Fly anglers often fare well with streamers and Wooly Buggers.
Lake Jocassee & Tributaries
South Carolina’s only major trout lake, Lake Jocassee, is also arguably the best trophy trout water in the state. Multiple state records for rainbow trout and brown trout have been caught here over the years, including the current records for both species.
Jake Jocassee spans 7,500 acres across portions of Oconee and Pickens counties. Surrounded by 3,000-foot Blue Ridge peaks, it’s a deep, high-elevation lake that stays cold enough to support holdover trout. They’re stocked here every year, and they grow fast.
Fishing here is quite different from your average trout stream. Trolling is the method of choice, with lead-core line and downriggers often employed to get bait down to the chilly depths where trout are comfortable.
In most seasons, that depth ranges from 20 to 60 feet, but trout often feed on the surface during winter. They can also swim over 100 feet down during the hot summer months.
The area right around the dam is the deepest part of the lake, and the best area to troll during the hottest part of the year. Standing timber areas are productive in fall, and tributaries are where you’ll find the big brown trout once the lake cools.
Rainbows also head up toward the creeks and rivers in winter, following the ample schools of threadfin shad and blueback herring that provide their main food source. The ideal lures to mimic these baitfish are Apex and Sutton spoons.
Other spoons can do the job, too, and Rapala stick baits have their devotees. Try trolling spoons of different sizes and colors to dial in the right presentation on any given day. Rainbow trout weighing about 3 pounds are average in Lake Jocassee, and browns average even bigger.
Lake Jocassee’s tributaries also offer trout fishing, many supporting fish populations year-round. The Whitewater River is the best-known of these tributaries, but others, including the Thompson River and Laurel Fork Creek, can also be excellent.
Lake Jocassee also made our list of South Carolina’s premier bass fishing spots, particularly due to its trophy smallmouth bass (and some chunky largemouths).
Much more: Complete Guide to Lake Jocassee Fishing
Catch More Trout
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