Bennettsville, SC Fishing: Lake Fishing At Its Best

Bennettsville, South Carolina, is known for outdoor activities such as hiking, hunting, camping, and fishing. The place is ideal for adventurous anglers who love to discover new places to catch different species. The state, founded in 1819 and named after Governor Thomas Bennett, quickly became one of the state's wealthiest agricultural communities. According to legend, the pound previously sold the land rather than the acre. Downtown Bennettsville is Marlboro County's cultural center. Historic residences, the Marlboro County Museum, restaurants, and lodging can all be found in this area, where only an estimate of 8,000 residents was on statistical record as of 2019. Spectacular fishing awaits anglers no matter where they go in the state. Cast your line, and whether it's by the seaside shore, in freshwater lakes, or backcountry rivers, you're sure to have a good time.

Bennettsville Fishing

Lake Paul Wallace has produced some world-record-breaking fish. Whether fishing for catfish or fly fishing, your next big catch is just a castaway. There are 14 significant reservoirs in South Carolina, with a total area of about 370,000 acres. Lake Marion at Santee State Park, Lake Jocassee at Devils Fork State Park, Lake Murray at Dreher Island State Park, Lake Greenwood State Park, Lake Wateree State Park, and others are among the best lakes for fishing. These lakes are home to various fish, including trout, bass, catfish, crappie, and shell-cracker, so bring lots of bait! 

Streams and rivers wind their way through South Carolina's state parks, passing through the Upstate, mountains, and Midlands. Little Pee Dee State Park on the Pee Dee River, Givhans Ferry State Park on the Edisto River, and Landsford Canal State Park on the Catawba River are the most popular sites. Many of the mountain streams are famous fly fishing spots, and many of them offer spectacular mountain vistas, making for a wonderful excursion with the whole family.

In visiting Bennettsville, anglers will surely appreciate the wide range of leisure opportunities. Lake Paul Wallace of Marlboro County presented them. The 600-acre man-made lake has a beach and bathing areas open for fishing 24/7. A 1.5-mile illuminated walking track separates water sports from fishing, dividing it into two regions. Visitors are allowed boats with motors of 10 horsepower or fewer for activity on the lake's fishing site. Boats and waterskiing are permitted on the lake's boating site. It's worth noting that all boat traffic must travel in a counter-clockwise direction. A diversion canal runs beside the lake and provides fishing, boating, and water skiing opportunities. The lake is separated into three sections. A one-mile skiing channel, grassy terraces, and white sand swimming beaches are available on the swimming and boating side. The major fishing and sailing portion, stocked with fish, is located across a dike. The third section of the lake, located north of Beauty Spot Road, serves as a waterfowl refuge for Canadian Geese, ducks, coots, mergansers, herons, and a reservoir for the City of Bennettsville's water system. Next to the lake is a public dove hunting field. Bennettsville is well-known for having some of the state's best dove hunting. A three-mile trail circles the lake's eastern edge and crosses the diversion dike. A boat ramp, fishing pier, and picnic area are all available at the lake. 

For early risers anglers, the lake is open from one-half hour before the official sunrise to one-half hour after the official sunset. Anglers are only allowed to use rods and reels or poles, and there is a statewide limit on how many of these gadgets they can use; 20 bream and three catfish are the daily limits. Largemouth bass cannot be harvested. Minnows are not allowed to be used as bait. The trails are only for walking or fishing, so no ATVs or motorized vehicles are permitted.

Top 10 Fish Species in Bennettsville, SC

The top 10 fish species found in Bennettsville, SC, are bass, bluegill, catfish, crappie, gar, perch, pickerel, sunfish, shell-cracker, and warmouth.

Seasonal Fishing

A fishing calendar may be helpful for more precise targeting of the optimum fishing hours. These tools combine data from your exact location, such as weather patterns, with other factors like tides and moon phases, and feeding behavior to determine when best to fish for the species you want to catch. Anglers can visit all year, although the best months for offshore fishing are late April through December. The months of May through September are ideal for hard-core anglers looking for the best blue-water action South Carolina offers.

Explore the Wonders of Bennettsville

1. Picnic at Lake Paul Wallace

Aside from fishing, Lake Wallace is a terrific spot to unwind and enjoy a stroll, a picnic, or soak up the sun. There is a beach near the lake where you can dig your toes in the sand or swim if the mood strikes you, and picnic pavilions. Fishing and boating, tiny vessels like canoes and kayaks, are popular on the lake. The best part is that there is no admission price, making this an entirely free attraction.

2. Produce at the Farmer’s Market

Bennettsville Farmer's Market should not be missed! The Bennettsville farmer's market, located on Broad Street, brings together a diverse group of merchants who sell fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, and handcrafted items such as jewelry. The farmer's market opens from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays from May to December, beginning at 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. The farmer's market is closed for the winter.

3. Other Recreational Activities

Bennettsville visitors can attend plays and hear musical concerts. Boat on Lake Paul Wallace, conveniently just a few blocks from downtown. Bennettsville Community Center, fitness center, Smith Park & Playground, Kidsland Fun Park, Woodland Park, King Street Park & Playground, tennis complex, and McLeod Street Basketball Courts are the city's recreational facilities.