Camden, SC Fishing: Get the Utmost Freshwater Fishing Experience

Camden, South Carolina’s first inland city, was established in 1733 by English immigrants near the Wateree River. Equestrian events are popular in Camden, with the Carolina Cup and the Marion DuPont Scott Colonial Cup steeplechases each year at the city's Springdale Race Course. Inc.

Just twenty minutes from Columbia's bustling metropolitan region, Camden is a little town that provides modest shopping, diverse food options, and a small-town lifestyle that's hard to beat. The allure of Camden will enthrall you no matter how you experience it: alone, in a group, or with your family. Visitors to Camden are eager to learn about the city's history through the city's past treasures. Get nostalgic as you peruse the extensive antique shops and art galleries district. Enjoy a delicious meal at one of the many excellent local restaurants or a quick pick-me-up at one of the numerous nearby coffee shops.

There are several fishing locations within a short distance of Camden. In the immediate area lies the state park, Goodale State Park. With only a short drive from the city, anglers may capture their catch while on vacation with family at Lake Wateree State Park and Lee State Park. The possibilities here are limitless!

Camden Fishing

For freshwater anglers looking for something different, Camden is a great option. Many fishing spots are within a short drive of Camden. The Goodale State Park is the fishing place just within the vicinity. Lake Wateree State Park and Lee State Park, only a short drive from the city, are popular fishing spots for city dwellers and their families.

Paddling is one of the primary attractions in Goodale, so those who like canoeing and kayaking in South Carolina will be delighted. A three-mile-long paddling track is excellent for canoeing expeditions in the woods that aren't too far away from the city. Fishing and picnicking are also available on the shores of Goodale. The park's 140-acre lake offers freshwater fishing for bass, bream, and catfish. The lake at the park is open to non-motorized watercraft like canoes and kayaks. If anglers want to use it, boats must be registered with the state. A valid South Carolina fishing license is required.

Anyone wishing to have a good time on a South Carolina lake can find much to do at Lake Wateree, including fishing and boating. Lake Wateree has a surface area of 21 square miles, 216 miles of coastline, and a maximum depth of 64 feet, making it a good-sized lake for fishing and other outdoor activities. As it crosses three distinct countries, the island chain features several islands dotted throughout its length. The park hosts a slew of Lake Wateree fishing events every year and has a public boat ramp, tackle store, and refueling station. Bream, catfish, crappie, and bass may all be caught in Lake Wateree, which has a single boat ramp with two lanes for private boat access. This site's fishing gear loaner service is supported by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The park shop lends out fishing gear, including rods and reels to put your fish bait. All the campgrounds at Lake Wateree include water and electricity connections for every person. RVs up to forty feet in length are welcome at several of Lake Wateree's campgrounds. While the lake is the main attraction in Wateree, there are also picnic areas and a small nature walk for visitors to enjoy. 

The Lynches River, a designated scenic river in Georgia, flows through Lee State Natural Area. As of 2010, 28,000 people were using the park, and it had a large hardwood floodplain forest, artesian springs, and a millpond. In addition to a campsite and picnic area, nature paths and equestrian facilities are available to visitors. Lynches River offers fishing for sunfish, redbreasts, catfish, and bass. To fish legally in South Carolina, you'll need a fishing license. The Artesian Lake has been stocked with catfish and is open to anglers with children under 14.

Top 10 Fish Species in Camden, SC

The top 10 fish species in Camden, SC, and its surrounding areas include largemouth bass, blue catfish, bluegill, crappie, southern flounder, redbreast sunfish, white bass, channel catfish, striped bass, and white perch.

Seasonal Fishing

Anglers will enjoy the freshwater experience in Camden since there are no closed seasons for game fish except for striped bass, which may only be caught ten times daily. There are no restricted seasons. It is excellent to fish in South Carolina for largemouth and catfish from May to September for marlin and other game fish like mahi-mahi and wahoo. Winter is the worst time to fish in South Carolina for most species. Depending on the time of year, fishing might be somewhat different. Fish become more active throughout the spring and summer months. When the weather becomes chilly, fishing might be difficult.

Seasons for offshore fishing begin at the end of April and last through to the end of December each year. But the bulk of fish species is active from May through September. Grouper, mackerel, marlin, sailfish, and snapper may all be targeted by anglers during these months.

Crappie fishing in South Carolina is the greatest in March and April. In the spawning journey, these delectable panfish are pursued by anglers from deep water to shallow water and back again. Crappie fishing may be good this year, but anglers must keep moving.

Temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal for the spawning of redbreast sunfish. Masculine birds often build their nests in big saucer-shaped nests on sand or gravel substrates in shallow water.

Smaller mountain lakes in South Carolina's mountains provide year-round trout fishing. Many state and county park lakes and US Forest Service (USFS) lakes are stocked with trout throughout the winter months (November to April).

Learn and Enjoy the Culture of Camden

1. Learn the Culture and History of Camden by Visiting Tourist Spots

Camden is one of the most well-preserved Revolutionary War battlefields in South Carolina. Visitors may learn about Camden's British occupancy via this collection of historically significant buildings and the employees that work there. The general public may now see Lord Cornwallis's enormous home. Flat Rock Road, a 15-minute drive from Historic Camden, leads to the Battle of Camden Historical Site. There is a monument to the 1780 Battle of Camden.

2. Enjoy Camden by Going to Shooting Ranges

Visiting the Palmetto Shooting Complex in Edgefield, South Carolina, might lead to a lifelong love of clay pigeon shooting. All of Camden has plenty of sports clay shooting facilities to choose from. Hermitage Farm Shooting Sports is another option. Locals own and run the 1,500-acre shooting range. Aside from that, they are warming up here before a long photographic session is ideal.