Lake Hartwell
A large Army Corps reservoir on the Savannah, Tugaloo and Seneca rivers along the South Carolina and Georgia line, near Anderson and Clemson. It is known for spotted and largemouth bass, a strong striped and hybrid bass fishery, and good crappie.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Spotted Bass
Common on main-lake points, humps and docks. Drop shots and shaky heads in 15-30 ft much of the year.
Striped Bass
Stripers and hybrids follow blueback herring. Free-lined or down-lined live herring and topwater at dawn in spring and fall.
Largemouth Bass
Shallower creek arms, brush piles and docks. Spring spawn on flats is the easiest time.
Crappie
Brush piles, bridge pilings and docks in the creeks. Minnows and small jigs.
Channel Catfish
Cut bait or worms on flats and in creek channels, especially warm months.
Boat launches
6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Twin Lakes Day Use AreaFeeUSACE park near Clemson. Two-lane ramp, courtesy dock, $7 per vehicleDirections ↗
- Lake Hartwell State ParkFeeSC State Parks, Fair Play. Two ramps and courtesy dock, park admission feeDirections ↗
- Sadlers Creek State ParkFeeSC State Parks near Anderson. Boat ramp and bank fishing, park admission feeDirections ↗
- Portman MarinaMarinaFull-service marina near Anderson with pumpoutDirections ↗
- Clemson MarinaMarinaMarina near Seneca with pumpoutDirections ↗
- Big Water MarinaMarinaMarina at Starr on the lower lake with pumpoutDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass Black bass combined (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, redeye) | 12 in | 10 / day |
| Smallmouth, Spotted & Redeye Bass Counts in 10 black bass combined | See South Carolina rules book ↗ | 10 / day |
| Striped & Hybrid Bass Combined striped and hybrid | Only 3 over 26 in | 10 / day |
| Striped & Hybrid Bass (Hartwell tailwater) Below Hartwell Dam | Only 1 over 34 in | 2 / day |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at South Carolina Department of Natural Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Lake Hartwell Outdoor CenterNearby5503 Highway 24, Anderson(864) 760-1783Directions ↗
- 3423 Clemson Blvd, Anderson(864) 261-2400Directions ↗
Local tips
- The lake straddles the SC and GA line; check SCDNR for which state licenses are honored where under the reciprocal agreement.
- Watch for gulls and surface boils in fall and winter, a sign of stripers and hybrids on herring.
- Summer weekends bring heavy boat traffic; fish early or late.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.
More South Carolina lakes
Lake Murray Lake Keowee Lake Wylie Lake Wateree Lake Greenwood Lake Jocassee Lake Monticello Fishing Creek Reservoir All South Carolina lakes →
Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.