Fishing in Cherokee County, South Carolina
County seat: Gaffney. Population 56,216 (2020). SCDNR Region 1.
- 2lake pages
- 9landings
- 2river pages
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Sizing up the fishing in Cherokee County
Cherokee County conducts county business from Gaffney, and the 2020 Census counted 56,216 people living in the county. Most SCDNR access records in the county carry SCDNR Region 1. Of the 2 lakes with pages here, Lake Thicketty covers the most water. Look for 2 state lakes with set hours and motor limits, starting with Lake Cherokee.
The SCDNR access layer shows 9 landings and paddle launches plus 13 piers and bank sites here. Paged streams in the county include Broad River and Pacolet River.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (TIGERweb) and the 2023 Gazetteer, read November 9, 2026. SCDNR South Carolina Public Water Access layer (ArcGIS service, the data behind the SCDNR fishing access map), read November 9, 2026.
A map of Cherokee County landings and fishing spots
SCDNR Public Water Access layer and lake points, checked November 9, 2026.
Reservoirs and state lakes of Cherokee County
| Lake | Size | Landings | Kind | SCDNR species list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Thicketty | 100 acres | 1 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake Cherokee | 50 acres | 1 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Redear Sunfish, Bluegill |
These lakes past the Cherokee County line lie closest to Gaffney.
| Lake | From Gaffney | Size | Landings | Kind | SCDNR species list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Blalock | 13 miles west | not printed | 1 | named at an SCDNR access | Largemouth Bass |
| Jonesville Reservoir Lake | 15 miles south | 25 acres | 1 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake Edwin Johnson | 17 miles southwest | 40 acres | 0 | mapped lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake Crawford | 19 miles east | not printed | 1 | named at an SCDNR access | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake John D. Long | 22 miles southeast | 80 acres | 1 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake William C Bowen | 23 miles west | about 1,462 acres of mapped outline | 1 | mapped lake | none on SCDNR lists |
Surface acres and depth as SCDNR prints them on its page for this lake, read November 9, 2026. Sizes SCDNR does not print show as mapped outline area. Species as SCDNR lists them at its access points.
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Largemouth Bass leads the SCDNR species lists on lakes within 50 miles of Gaffney.
SCDNR Public Water Access species lists, counted per lake page within 50 miles; an occurrence list, not a catch survey.
SCDNR state lakes inside Cherokee County
| State lake | Size | Fishing hours | Boat and motor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Cherokee | 50 acres | 24 hours a day | Paddle or electric trolling motor only |
| Lake Thicketty | 100 acres | 24 hours a day | Paddle, electric trolling motor, or gas outboards 10 hp or less |
South Carolina state lake rules
2026-2027 South Carolina Hunting & Fishing Guide, valid August 14, 2026 to August 14, 2027 (online guide), read November 9, 2026. SCDNR South Carolina Public Water Access layer (ArcGIS service, the data behind the SCDNR fishing access map), read November 9, 2026.
Named ponds and impoundments of Cherokee County kept to a list
SCDNR records name 1 more waters in Cherokee County that have too few published facts for a page.
| Water | Size | Kind |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Whelchel | not printed | named at an SCDNR access |
Outline area from the SCDNR Lakes and Reservoirs map layer (a GIS polygon area, not an SCDNR surface-acre figure), read November 9, 2026. SCDNR South Carolina Public Water Access layer (ArcGIS service, the data behind the SCDNR fishing access map), read November 9, 2026.
Where current runs through Cherokee County
- Broad Rivertidal, 31 SCDNR accesses, 8 USGS gauges
- Pacolet River4 SCDNR accesses, 7 USGS gauges
Current flow on Cherokee County streams
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Broad River Near Blacksburg, Sc | 1,330 cfs, 3.56 ft gage height | Nov 13 8:15 pm |
| Broad River Below Ninetynine Island Reservoir, Sc | 630 cfs, 26.23 ft gage height | Nov 13 8:15 pm |
| Thicketty Creek At Cnty Road 42 Near Gaffney, Sc | 6 cfs, 2.99 ft gage height | Nov 13 7:45 pm |
| Kings Creek At Blacksburg, Sc | 6 cfs, 2.44 ft gage height | Nov 13 7:30 pm |
| Buffalo Creek Nr Blacksburg, Sc | 7.97 ft gage height | Nov 13 8:15 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 8:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
SCDNR South Carolina Public Water Access layer (ArcGIS service, the data behind the SCDNR fishing access map), read November 9, 2026. USGS Water Data for the Nation, live through the site, retrieved on page view.
Public put-ins across Cherokee County
- 99 Island Boat Ramp on Broad RiverBroad River, boat ramp, 1 lane, dirt
- Bowens River Access and Parking Area on Broad RiverBroad River, paddle launch
- Cherokee Ford Recreation Area Paddle Launch on Broad RiverBroad River, paddle launch, dirt
- Lake Cherokee Boat RampLake Cherokee, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved, fishing pier
- Lake Whelchel Boat RampLake Whelchel, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock, fishing pier
- Ninety Nine Island Canoe Access on Broad RiverBroad River, paddle launch, paved
- Pacolet River Boat RampPacolet River, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved
- Pick Hill Access on Broad RiverBroad River, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved
- Thicketty Creek Boat RampLake Thicketty, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved
SCDNR bank and pier points in Cherokee County
- Big Bay Access Area Pier on Broad RiverBroad River, pier, aluminum
- Cherokee Recreation Area Bank on Broad RiverBroad River, bank
- Gaston Shoals Fishing Trail Bank on Broad RiverBroad River, bank
- Gaston Shoals Fishing Trail Pier on Broad RiverBroad River, pier, wood
- Lake Cherokee Bank 1Lake Cherokee, bank
- Lake Cherokee Bank 2Lake Cherokee, bank
- Pick Hill Access Area Bank on Broad RiverBroad River, bank
- Thicketty Mountain Lake BankLake Thicketty, bank
- Bowens River Canoe Access Bank on Broad RiverBroad River, bank
- Lake Cherokee PierLake Cherokee, pier, wood
- Lake Whelchel BankLake Whelchel, bank
- Lake Whelchel PierLake Whelchel, pier, wood
- Ninety Nine Island Canoe Access Pier on Broad RiverBroad River, pier, concrete or paved
SCDNR South Carolina Public Water Access layer (ArcGIS service, the data behind the SCDNR fishing access map), read November 9, 2026. The SCDNR layer carries no fee or hours field.
Pool and gauge readings for Cherokee County lakes
Lake Cherokee
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Ninetynine Island Res. Below Cherokee Falls, Sc | 100.46 ft lake elevation | Nov 13 8:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 8:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Size and creel rules on Cherokee County water
Statewide rows from the state fishing guide apply to Cherokee County lakes and streams that have no row of their own. A total of 40 game fish may be kept in any one day (freshwater), not exceeding the species limits (guide p. 28). The SCDNR price list shows $10 for a resident freshwater year and $35 for the nonresident version.
| Species | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| American Eel | 9 inches min | 25 |
| Blue Catfish | See limits in Freshwater Nongame Fishing Regulations section. | See limits in Freshwater Nongame Fishing Regulations section. |
| Bream | Any length | 30 |
| Redbreast Sunfish | Any length | 15 |
| Crappie | 8 inches min | 20 |
| Walleye & Sauger | Any length | No more than 8 combined total of walleye or sauger |
| Chain Pickerel | Any length | 30 |
| Redfin Pickerel | Any length | 30 |
| Yellow Perch | Any length | 30 |
| Smallmouth Bass | 12 inches min | No more than 5 combined total of smallmouth, largemouth, redeye bass or their hybrids |
| Redeye (Bartrams) Bass | Any length | No more than 5 combined total of smallmouth, largemouth, redeye bass or their hybrids |
| Largemouth Bass | Any length | No more than 5 combined total of smallmouth, largemouth, redeye bass or their hybrids |
| Spotted Bass | Any length | 15 |
| White Bass | Any length | 10 |
| Striped or Hybrid Bass or a combination | Any length | 10 |
2026-2027 South Carolina Hunting & Fishing Guide, valid August 14, 2026 to August 14, 2027 (online guide), read November 9, 2026. License prices as printed on the SCDNR license pricing pages (dnr.sc.gov), read November 9, 2026.
Record-list fish from Cherokee County water
| Species | Weight as listed | List | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muskellunge | 22-8, 42 1/4in | freshwater | Broad River | 2004 |
| Bullhead | 6-6.3 | freshwater | Broad River | 2009 |
South Carolina state record fish as listed by SCDNR (record list), read November 9, 2026.
Cherokee County tackle counters and hired guides
Bait and tackle in Cherokee County
- Upstate Tradingbait and tackle shop, Gaffney
SC guide and charter listings in Cherokee County
- Sportsman Fishing Lakefishing guide, Cowpens, (864) 463-6677
Yellow Pages listings (city of business), read November 9, 2026.
Keep exploring from Cherokee County
Cherokee County towns with their own fishing page
- Gaffneypop. 12,764
- East Gaffneypop. 2,882
- Blacksburgpop. 1,889
SC counties that touch Cherokee County
- Spartanburg County23 miles west
- York County25 miles east
- Union County25 miles south
- Chester County36 miles southeast
Piscifun rods, reels and line to sort out ahead of Cherokee County
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Tidal flats and reservoir coves by Cherokee County, through the lens
Photo: KAB1963, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Billy Hathorn, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Jack Beaman, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Antony-22, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick replies on fishing in Cherokee County
Which landings does SCDNR list in Cherokee County?
SCDNR maps 9 landings and launches here, listed above with directions.
Where is the most lake water in Cherokee County?
Lake Thicketty, at 100 acres.
Which fish appear on SCDNR lists near Cherokee County?
SCDNR access lists name Largemouth Bass on the most lake pages within 50 miles, then Bluegill, Redear Sunfish and Channel Catfish.
Is there a tackle shop listed in Cherokee County?
1 in all, Upstate Trading first.
Which South Carolina town runs Cherokee County government?
County offices are in Gaffney.
How much is a South Carolina fishing license for a Cherokee County trip?
The SCDNR price list shows $10 for a resident freshwater year and $35 for the nonresident version.
What other South Carolina counties are close to Cherokee County?
Nearest by centre point: Spartanburg County, York County and Union County.
What daily crappie limit applies in Cherokee County?
Statewide: Crappie: 20 daily, size 8 inches min. A guide row naming a lake can change it.
Which SCDNR region do Cherokee County access points fall under?
SCDNR Region 1, going by the majority of its SCDNR access records.
Which Cherokee County lakes follow state lake rules?
Lake Cherokee and Lake Thicketty, with hours and boat rules set by the state lake regulation.
Does any Cherokee County lake appear on the SCDNR record list?
Muskellunge, 22-8, 42 1/4in as listed, from Broad River (2004).
Choose a landing in Cherokee County
Open a lake for its landings, limits and gauge readings.