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.
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Where can I fish on the Lower Saluda River?

Where can I fish the Middle Saluda River?
The lower reaches of the Middle Saluda River near SC 11 are stocked with catchable trout during Spring and Fall. Parking for stream access is available at SC 11 and at the intersection of River Falls Road and SC 11 (parking behind the country store).
Can you Boat on the Saluda River?
Boaters can run the entire Lower Saluda through its confluence with the Broad River by taking out at landings on the Congaree River. Below Gervais Street Bridge the landings at Senate Street and West Columbia Amphitheatre provide carry-in boat access only (and parking is limited).
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.
Can you use corn to trout fish in South Carolina?
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.
Are there catfish in the Saluda River?
The river below Saluda Lake is more accessible and has a good population of flathead and channel cats. A small fish kill a few years ago showed some flatheads in the 4- to 5-pound range. There are also white cats in the river as well as some bullheads.
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.
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 do you find trout in a stream?

How do you fish for rainbow trout in a river?

Are there alligators in Saluda Lake SC?
According to the Congaree Riverkeeper, yes. But don’t let it scare you. 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).
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.
Can you kayak on the Saluda River?
The Upper Saluda River Blueway provides over 70 miles of beginner-friendly and nearly 50 miles of more advanced paddling opportunities. Beginning in the pristine valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Pickens and Greenville Counties, the Saluda River borders six counties as it flows through Upstate South Carolina.
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.
Is it illegal to fish at night in SC?
Night fishing prohibited.
Is it legal to use goldfish as bait in SC?
(1) “Bait fish” means a fish allowed to be used as bait in the freshwaters including: Asian clams (Corbicula spp.), crayfish, eels, herring, shad, and fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas), golden shiners (Notemigonus crysoleucas), and goldfish, including “black salties” (Carassius auratus).
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.
Can you catch fish with hot dogs?

Do trout feed off the bottom?
Trout are not bottom feeders like carp or catfish. But, they do feed predominantly near or just off the bottom. Trout prefer to wait and cruise in the bottom 2-3 feet of water to intercept any food that drifts by.
What time does Saluda Shoals lights start?
Schedule and Admission The Holidays Lights on the River begins on Friday, December 6 and continues every night until Friday, December 31. Entry begins at 6 p.m. with the last vehicles admitted at 10 p.m. Admission to the Holiday Lights on the River is $25 per vehicle.
Where does the Saluda River begin and end?
Saluda River, river rising in the Blue Ridge Mountains, west-central South Carolina, U.S., in North and South forks, which join 10 miles (15 km) northwest of Greenville.
What 4 major river tributaries serve the Saluda River basin?
Its major tributaries are the Reedy, Little, Bush, and Little Saluda Rivers and Rabon Creek. One of the principal rivers of the Santee River Basin, the Saluda River flows southeasterly 170 miles through the Piedmont, joining the Broad River just below the fall line in Columbia to form the Congaree River.
Can you boat on Saluda Lake?
Boats are allowed with no motor restrictions. However, keep in mind Saluda Lake is a small and shallow lake with average depths ranging from about 10-23 feet with the exception of shoals.