Are there alligators in the Saluda River?


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Most of the gators are spotted downstream from the I-77 bridge on the Congaree, but they are sometimes spotted in the Broad River, near Riverfront Park + the Columbia Canal (You don’t see them in the Saluda, probably because of that cold water).

Is the Saluda River good for fishing?

Stocked with trout, the Saluda River is a terrific fly fishing destination – access it at Saluda Shoals Park or Hope Ferry Landing; smallmouth bass in the 12 to 18-inch range are also common. Smallmouth bass also ply the waters of the Broad and Congaree Rivers.

Where can I fish on the Lower Saluda River?

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What kind of fish are in the upper Saluda River?

This area has a high population of both birds and fish; blue herons, ospreys, and bald eagles; largemouth bass, catfish, trout, and bream can be found throughout the watershed.

Where can I fish in the Middle Saluda river?

Middle Saluda (Echo Valley) Naturaland Trust partnering with SCDNR has opened a section below the bridge on Highway 276 that gets stocked regularly. The best access is downstream from the bridge to the first bend, pull-offs are alongside the road on the side of the river.

What fish are biting right now in South Carolina?

Plenty! Crappie, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, catfish, trout, stripers, and hybrids are all biting in various bodies of water. On most, it’s best to get out there early.

Can you trout fish with corn in SC?

Unlawful to use or possess any lure or bait except single hook artificial lures. Unlawful to use or possess corn, cheese, fish eggs or imitations of them.

What fish are in the lower Saluda?

Fish and Mussels Warmwater species occurring in the lower Saluda River include chain pickerel, redbreast sunfish, redear sunfish, bluegill, largemouth bass, carp, channel catfish, spotted sucker, yellow perch, sandbar shiner, and gizzard shad. Striped bass are present in the Lower Saluda during their spawning season.

How many hooks can you fish with in South Carolina?

License Requirements: Recreational fishing license (Recreational limit is 1 trotline with a maximum 50 hooks). Commercial fishing license when fishing 2 or more trotlines or fishing trotlines with more than 50 hooks.

How deep does the Saluda River get?

This is also the deepest point on the Saluda River, with a gauge stage of 4.39 ft. This river is monitored from 6 different streamgauging stations along the Saluda River, the highest being perched at an elevation of 830 ft, the Saluda River Near Greenville.

How many speckled trout can you keep in South Carolina?

The designation of spotted seatrout as a gamefish occurred in 1985. Presently, our state has a minimum size of 14 inches total length (tip of the snout to the maximum length of the tail) and a bag limit of 10 fish per angler per day.

How many trout can you keep in SC?

Species Cold Water Trout Limit 10 fish per day, 10 in possession. Saluda River – not more than five trout may be taken in any one day from that portion of the lower Saluda River between the Lake Murray Dam and the confluence of the Broad River.

Where is the best trout fishing in South Carolina?

  1. The Middle Saluda River in Jones Gap State Park.
  2. The Chattooga River.
  3. The East Fork of the Chattooga River.
  4. The Chauga River.
  5. The Eastatoe River.
  6. Lake Jocassee.
  7. The Lower Saluda below the Dreher Shoals Dam on Lake Murray.
  8. The Whitewater River.

Is there a trout season in South Carolina?

Seasonal trout fisheries are also available in smaller lakes in the mountains of South Carolina. During the colder months (November through April), several state and county park lakes, as well as US Forest Service (USFS) lakes, are stocked with trout.

What is the most gator infested lake?

Key Points: The majority of alligator infested lakes are in Florida, with Lake Jesup being the most infested lake in the United States. This lake in central Florida is home to an estimated 13,000 alligators.

Why is the Saluda River so cold?

The river water is cold, about 60 degrees F, because it comes from deep within Lake Murray. Swimmers can experience hypothermia, even in the summer. Major rapids, up to Class IV, begin downstream of the I-26 bridge. Many rapids have large hydraulics.

Where in SC are there no alligators?

For the most part, the Upstate is spared from South Carolina reptile nuisances. The line is drawn south of the Lakelands, between the border of Aiken and Edgefield counties, and continues south of Saluda, Newberry, Fairfield and Lancaster counties. Still, alligators pop up in the Upstate every once in a while.

What month is the best fishing in South Carolina?

Anglers can come here to fish year-round, but the best months for offshore fishing are late April to December. For hard-core anglers looking for the ultimate blue-water action that South Carolina can deliver, target the months of May through September.

What is the biggest fish in South Carolina?

  • By Bo Petersen [email protected]. Bo Petersen. Author facebook.
  • Apr 3, 2017 Updated Sep 14, 2020.

What is the most popular fish in South Carolina?

South Carolina largemouth bass They are probably the most popular game fish in North America. Largemouth bass are widely distributed throughout the ponds, rivers, and lakes in South Carolina.

Why is chumming illegal?

Chumming is illegal in some parts of the world (such as in the U.S. state of Alabama) because of the danger it can pose by conditioning sharks to associate feeding with human presence.

How many rods can you use in SC?

A fisherman may only use four rods and reels. A fisherman fishing from a boat may use an unlimited number of rods and reels if all persons in the boat 16 years and older have valid fishing licenses. Nongame fishing permits and tags may be purchased from SCDNR only.

What is the best fishing bait for trout?

For catching trout, many anglers turn to natural baits. Nightcrawlers and other types of earthworms are an excellent choice. Salmon eggs, mealworms and locally available baits can also be very successful and often are similar to food sources in the environment.

What kind of fish are in Chocolate Bayou?

There are several types of fish that can be found in Chocolate Bayou. Because it opens up into the Gulf, you can find a variety of saltwater species, including speckled trout, flounder, red drum and black drum. Chocolate Bayou can be a particularly good spot for catching flounder.

What fish are in season in South Carolina?

  • Red Drum โ€“ Year Round.
  • Sea Trout โ€“ Year Round.
  • Flounder โ€“ Spring, Summer, Fall.
  • Black Drum โ€“ Year Round.
  • Bluefish โ€“ Year Round.
  • Sheepshead โ€“ Year Round, Best in Spring.
  • Ladyfish โ€“ Spring, Summer, Fall.
  • Sharks โ€“ Summer, Fall.

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