Fishing in Spartanburg County, South Carolina
County seat: Spartanburg. Population 327,997 (2020). SCDNR Region 1.
- 3lake pages
- 13landings
- 5river pages
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How Spartanburg County shapes up for anglers
The Spartanburg County courthouse sits in Spartanburg; 327,997 residents were tallied there in 2020. SCDNR files the bulk of its access points here under SCDNR Region 1. Lake William C Bowen leads the 3 lakes in the county that have their own guide.
Count 13 landings and paddle launches and 13 piers and bank sites in the SCDNR layer for the county. The county's river guides cover Tyger River, Enoree 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.
Charting the public water of Spartanburg County
SCDNR Public Water Access layer and lake points, checked November 9, 2026.
Spartanburg County lake pages by acreage
| Lake | Size | Landings | Kind | SCDNR species list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake William C Bowen | about 1,462 acres of mapped outline | 1 | mapped lake | none on SCDNR lists |
| Lake Edwin Johnson | 40 acres | 0 | mapped lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake Blalock | not printed | 1 | named at an SCDNR access | Largemouth Bass |
Few paged lakes sit inside Spartanburg County, so the closest ones over the line follow, measured from Spartanburg.
| Lake | From Spartanburg | Size | Landings | Kind | SCDNR species list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Thicketty | 12 miles northeast | 100 acres | 1 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Jonesville Reservoir Lake | 15 miles southeast | 25 acres | 1 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake Cherokee | 21 miles east | 50 acres | 1 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Redear Sunfish, Bluegill |
| Lake Robinson (Greenville County) | 21 miles west | about 822 acres of mapped outline | 1 | mapped lake | none on SCDNR lists |
| Lake Placid | 25 miles west | not printed | 1 | named at an SCDNR access | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake John D. Long | 26 miles southeast | 80 acres | 1 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
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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Around Spartanburg, 50 miles out, Largemouth Bass turns up on the most SCDNR lists.
SCDNR Public Water Access species lists, counted per lake page within 50 miles; an occurrence list, not a catch survey.
Smaller Spartanburg County waters without a page yet
5 additional named waters in Spartanburg County stay on this list until more is printed about them.
| Water | Size | Kind |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Cooley | not printed | named at an SCDNR access |
| Lake Craig | not printed | named at an SCDNR access |
| Lake Johnson | not printed | named at an SCDNR access |
| Lake Lyman | not printed | named at an SCDNR access |
| Lake Todd Moore Craig | 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.
Spartanburg County waterways with SCDNR access
- Tyger River7 SCDNR accesses, 8 USGS gauges
- Enoree River5 SCDNR accesses, 4 USGS gauges
- Pacolet River4 SCDNR accesses, 7 USGS gauges
- Lawsons Fork Creek2 SCDNR accesses, 1 USGS gauge
- South Tyger River1 SCDNR access, 1 USGS gauge
USGS sites logging Spartanburg County rivers
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Pacolet River At Pacolet, Sc | 345 cfs, 11.94 ft gage height | Oct 1 1:00 am Not updated since Oct 1, 2025. |
| Pacolet River At Us-29 Near Converse, Sc | 172 cfs, 1.75 ft gage height | Nov 13 9:00 pm |
| Pacolet River Below Lake Blalock Near Cowpens, Sc | 120 cfs, 1.93 ft gage height | Nov 13 8:45 pm |
| Tyger River Near Woodruff, Sc | 111 cfs, 5.92 ft gage height | Nov 13 9:00 pm |
| North Pacolet River At Fingerville, Sc | 77 cfs, 3.08 ft gage height | Nov 13 9:15 pm |
| Enoree River Near Woodruff, Sc | 78 cfs, 0.56 ft gage height | Nov 13 8:45 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 9:32 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.
Landings SCDNR maps for Spartanburg County
- Edwin M. Griffin Nature Preserve Paddle Launch on Lawsons Fork CreekLawsons Fork Creek, paddle launch
- Horseshoe Falls/ Musgrove Mill River Access on Enoree RiverEnoree River, paddle launch, dirt
- Lake Blalock ParkLake Blalock, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock, fishing pier
- Lake Bowen Boat Ramp on Lake William C BowenLake William C Bowen, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock
- Lake Cooley Boat RampLake Cooley, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock, fishing pier
- Lake Edwin Johnson Boat RampLake Johnson, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved, fishing pier
- Lake Lyman Boat RampLake Lyman, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock, fishing pier
- Clifton Old Town River Access and Parking Area on Pacolet RiverPacolet River, paddle launch
- Glendale Shoals Preserve Paddle Launch on Lawsons Fork CreekLawsons Fork Creek, paddle launch
- Pacolet Park/Lower Pacolet Shoals Put InPacolet River, paddle launch
- Tyger Berry Landing on South Tyger RiverSouth Tyger River, paddle launch
- Tyger-10 Nature Park – Walnut Grove RoadTyger River, paddle launch
- Upper Pacolet Shoals Take Out Paddle LaunchPacolet River, paddle launch
SCDNR shore points across Spartanburg County
- Croft State Park Bank on Lake Todd Moore CraigLake Todd Moore Craig, bank
- Croft State Park Pier on Lake CraigLake Craig, pier, wood
- Lake Blalock PierLake Blalock, pier, aluminum
- Lake Bowen Park Bank on Lake William C BowenLake William C Bowen, bank
- Lake Bowen Pier on Lake William C BowenLake William C Bowen, pier, wood
- Lake Cooley Park BankLake Cooley, bank
- Lake Cooley Park Pier 1Lake Cooley, pier, wood
- Lake Cooley Park Pier 2Lake Cooley, pier, wood
- Lake Lyman Lodge Park & Landing BankLake Lyman, bank
- Lake Lyman Lodge Park & Landing PierLake Lyman, pier, aluminum
- Tyger 10 Park BankTyger River, bank
- Lake Edwin Johnson BankLake Edwin Johnson, bank
- Lake Edwin Johnson PierLake Edwin Johnson, pier, wood
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.
How the Spartanburg County reservoirs are sitting
Lake William C Bowen
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake William C. Bowen Near Fingerville, Sc | 815.07 ft lake elevation | Nov 13 8:45 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 9:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Lake Blalock
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Blalock Near Cowpens, Sc | 710.18 ft lake elevation | Nov 13 8:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 9:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Freshwater keeping rules for Spartanburg County
A Spartanburg County angler starts with these statewide limits and checks for a row naming the water. A total of 40 game fish may be kept in any one day (freshwater), not exceeding the species limits (guide p. 28). Residents spend $10 and nonresidents $35 on an annual freshwater license from SCDNR.
| 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 |
Exceptions the guide lists in Spartanburg County
- Lake BlalockLargemouth Bass: 14 inches min, No more than 5 combined total of smallmouth, largemouth, redeye bass or their hybrids
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.
State records traced to lakes near Spartanburg County
Spartanburg County is absent from the record lists, but these nearby waters are on them.
| Species | Weight as listed | List | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pumpkinseed | 2-4 | freshwater | North Saluda River | 1997 |
| Yellow Perch | 3-4 | freshwater | Lake Keowee | 1979 |
| Spotted Bass | 8-5 | freshwater | Lake Jocassee | 2001 |
| Smallmouth Bass | 9-7 | freshwater | Lake Jocassee | 2001 |
South Carolina state record fish as listed by SCDNR (record list), read November 9, 2026.
Bait sellers and trip captains of Spartanburg County
Spartanburg County tackle counters
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, 100 Peachwood Centre Drbait and tackle shop, Spartanburg
- Brown's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Duncan
- Fulton's Tackle Boxbait and tackle shop, Duncan
- Old School Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Duncan
Guides and charters with a Spartanburg County listing
- RiverBlade Knife & Flyfly fishing guide, Spartanburg, (864) 699-9433
Yellow Pages listings (city of business), read November 9, 2026.
Further pages linked to Spartanburg County
Town pages within Spartanburg County
- Spartanburgpop. 38,732
- Boiling Springspop. 10,405
- Valley Fallspop. 8,012
- Lymanpop. 6,173
- Whitneypop. 4,409
- Woodruffpop. 4,212
- Duncanpop. 4,041
- Saxonpop. 3,896
- Southern Shopspop. 3,663
- Wellfordpop. 3,293
- Hilltoppop. 3,273
- Arcadiapop. 3,246
- Inmanpop. 2,990
- Landrumpop. 2,481
- Pacoletpop. 2,274
- Cowpenspop. 2,023
Neighbouring county pages for Spartanburg County
- Greenville County22 miles west
- Cherokee County23 miles east
- Union County27 miles southeast
- Laurens County31 miles south
Piscifun tackle laid out for a tide at Spartanburg County
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Lowcountry and Upstate water near Spartanburg County, on camera
Photo: Laurel LaFlamme, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Warren LeMay, CC0 1.0
Photo: TimothyJ, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Tim, CC BY 2.0
Setting the record straight on Spartanburg County fishing
Can I trailer a boat to a public landing in Spartanburg County?
The SCDNR layer places 13 landings and launches in the county.
Which Spartanburg County lake has the most acreage on SCDNR records?
Lake William C Bowen (about 1,462 acres of mapped outline).
What species are listed at access points around Spartanburg County?
SCDNR access lists name Largemouth Bass on the most lake pages within 50 miles, then Bluegill, Redear Sunfish and Channel Catfish.
Which Spartanburg County listings sell shrimp, crickets or lures?
Academy Sports + Outdoors, 100 Peachwood Centre Dr heads 4.
What South Carolina town serves as seat of Spartanburg County?
Spartanburg serves as seat.
What license do anglers carry in Spartanburg County?
Residents spend $10 and nonresidents $35 on an annual freshwater license from SCDNR.
Which counties sit next to Spartanburg County?
The closest county pages are Greenville County, Cherokee County and Union County.
What is the crappie limit in Spartanburg County?
Statewide: Crappie: 20 daily, size 8 inches min. A guide row naming a lake can change it.
What region does SCDNR assign Spartanburg County landings?
SCDNR Region 1, going by the majority of its SCDNR access records.
Which Spartanburg County lakes have special rules?
1 water with a page here have a guide row of their own, beginning with Lake Blalock.
Plan a Palmetto State day in Spartanburg County
Landing pages carry SCDNR lane counts and directions.