Belton, SC Fishing: Suburban Rural Angling in South Carolina

Belton, located in eastern Anderson County, South Carolina, was founded in 1855, following the Columbia and Greenville Railroad establishment. It became a junction point of the C & G, the Piedmont and Northern, and the Blue Ridge. Today, the Greenville & Western Railway and the Pickens Railway still serve Belton. It is the second biggest city in Anderson County.

Belton remained relatively unchanged during the Civil War. The local economy expanded around the railroad, and cotton became the main agricultural crop of Belton. Belton grew steadily throughout the 19th Century and attracted entrepreneurs who built some of the biggest cotton mills in South Carolina. After the cotton mills created jobs for the community, Belton saw an increase in the population and expanded the town's infrastructure with a central water supply, electricity, phone line connections, concrete roads, retail stores, and increased railway service. Belton continued to grow, and a 160-foot tall Belton Standpipe was completed in 1909 and held a capacity of 150,000 gallons of water. The Standpipe, which showcases a castle turret, continues as the city's famous landmark today and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Belton is also known for different festivities held in the city. It is the Tennis Capital of South Carolina and is the home of the South Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame. Belton is also the host of the annual SC Chili Cookoff, where chefs showcase their best chili recipes to win their spot in the ICS World Championship. Lastly, tourists will surely enjoy the Belton Standpipe Heritage and Arts Festival. The festival features local and regional performers with live onstage shows, exceptional arts and crafts from all over the country, local food outlets, and more.

Belton Fishing

South Carolina delivers great fishing adventures for all anglers, whether experienced or amateur. Belton is surrounded by numerous lakes and creeks, making it a good location for fishing.

Start your fishing trip by visiting Brown Creek in Anderson County. Brown Creek is one of the perfect places for largemouth bass fishing in Belton. Broadmouth Creek, East Prong Broadmouth Creek, and West Prong Broadmouth Creek are also excellent for bass fishing. The Broadmouth Creek Watershed Eight Lake near Anderson County is suitable if you are aiming to catch trophy bass. The Big Creek Watershed One Reservoir offers a peaceful and quiet location for fishing. Anglers can score trophy fish like largemouth bass, white crappie, channel catfish, blue catfish, flathead catfish, and pumpkinseed.

Another famous fishing spot in the area is TNT Catfish Lake. It is a pond near Anderson County. Given in its name, the most popular species caught here are blue catfish, channel catfish, and flathead catfish. Aside from various catfish species, TNT Catfish Lake also offers largemouth bass and common carp. TNT Catfish Lake is a pay-to-fish pond with a nearby bait and tackle shop. Broadway Creek, which is only 13 to 15 minutes away from central Belton, is renowned for yellow-belly bream fishing. Anglers can also go bass, catfish, and crappie fishing in this spot. Cupboard Creek is a stream found near Anderson with fish such as largemouth bass, black crappie, and pumpkinseed tagged as the most prevalent species caught here. While largemouth bass fishing is incredibly notable in Cherokee Creek, spotted bass, book trout, flathead, channel catfish, and rainbow trout are fish that anglers can catch here.

Anglers can choose from other fishing sites when they go angling in the Belton and Anderson County areas. These fishing sites are Saluda River, Broadway Lake, Neals Creek, Hencoop Creek, Bear Creek, and Long Branch.

Bank fishing, baitcasting, light tackle fishing, fly fishing, and spinning are standard techniques used by anglers when fishing in bodies of water like lakes and creeks. It is also ideal to choose the right hooks, bait, and lure for the fish you want to catch.

When determining where you can fish, it is vital to use your best judgment and follow local regulations. Anyone aged 16 and older is mandated to acquire a fishing license. Anglers must keep their license in their possession while engaging in fishing exercises across the state. Anglers can purchase a temporary, annual, or three-year permit in South Carolina. Be reminded that fishing license fees are subject to change annually.

Top 10 Fish Species in Belton, SC

The top 10 fish species found in Belton, SC, are largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, blue catfish, flathead catfish, pumpkinseed, common carp, yellow-belly bream, and rainbow trout.

Seasonal Fishing

Fishing for largemouth bass is best done during the spring season, the same time they start their spawning period. It is also important to remember that bass fishing is open year-round. The peak season for bluegill fishing is during early spring after a few days of a steady warm, sunny climate. They usually spawn from late May into August when water temperatures are high. Pumpkinseed are available any time of year. Their spawning season starts late spring to early summer. Anglers can commence their trip for crappie during March and April as these months are an excellent time to fish such species. Crappie spawn in late February and the early weeks of May. The spawning season for blue catfish transpires in late spring or early summer; channel catfish spawning season happens from May to July; nonetheless, they are caught best in June and the summer months. The best time to cast your line and target flathead catfish is from the start of the spring season to the fall, all because flatheads love warm water. Anglers can go after common carp year-round. In South Carolina, they spawn from April to June. Yellowfin bream's spawning season occurs from mid-June to early September and usually extends for ten weeks. Late spring is the most suitable time to capture rainbow trout, mainly if you're aiming to catch larger fish. Their spawning season occurs during the spring season.

Discover the Railroad Town of Belton

Belton is one of the best places tourists can visit to relax and have fun.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Being surrounded by several creeks and lakes, it is easy to locate a good fishing place and accommodation around Belton. Book a fishing charter and find the best fishing spots Belton can offer.

2. Annual Festivities and Tournaments

Being called the Tennis Capital of South Carolina, Belton is the home of the Palmetto Championships. Belton's center of tennis activities is the Belton Tennis Center. The city is also known as the home of the South Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame. Belton also celebrates a week-long festival called the Belton Standpipe Heritage and Arts Festival that has fun activities that the whole family can appreciate. It is the longest continually running fall festival in Anderson County. The SC Chili Cook-Off also takes place in Belton. The winner of this cooking event will be the city's contender for the International Chili Society's World Finals.

3. Delve into the Historical Past of Belton

Tourists can spend their time looking back at the historical story of Belton. Bookworms can visit the Belton Library, which holds a reading program for kids every summer season, or drop by at the Belton Center for the Arts, a non-profit organization that takes care of the exhibits, classes, and events that aim to support and share art throughout the community. Visitors can also visit the Belton Area Museum Association. BAMA provides the Belton community and tourists cultural enrichment, intellectual stimulation, learning opportunities, and activities to expand the community's appreciation of the traditional, visual, and performing arts.