Bishopville, SC Fishing: Small Historical City with Fair Freshwater Fishing Opportunities

Bishopville is a small city and the county seat of Lee County in South Carolina. It used to be home to a tavern, a famous stagecoach stop between Georgetown and Charlotte. The owner of this tavern was William Singleton — that’s why the city used to be called Singleton’s Crossroads. When he died, his wife continued operating the tavern and owning the area until she died in 1820. A year later, the property was sold to a certain Jacque Bishop and was renamed Bishopville.

Lee County was established more than 70 years later, naming Bishopville as its county seat. The county was originally a center for cotton production. The rest of Bishopville’s area is home to many structures and places listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They include the Lee County Courthouse, Bishopville Commercial Historic District, the Ashwood School Gymnasium, Auditorium, and many more.

Back when it was first sold to Jacque Bishop, the area around Bishopville was known to consist mostly of wilderness. Today, Bishopville is still very much in touch with nature and greenery, albeit differently. It is home to Pearl Fryar’s Topiary Garden, one of the most well-loved gardens in South Carolina, known for its award-winning live topiary sculptures. On the other side of the spectrum, Bishopville is also known as the alleged home of the Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp, a reptile-like monster that may or may not be real. But what is real is that the rest of the waterbodies found in and around Bishopville offer great opportunities to fish. Bishopville is home to a few freshwater fishing spots that serve up some of South Carolina’s favorites that anglers of all levels will enjoy.

Bishopville Fishing

There are many freshwater fishing opportunities in Bishopville, and all of them offer scenic backdrops that will make your fishing experience even richer and more relaxing.

One of the most popular spots for fishing in the area is Lee State Park. It has been around since 1935 and has been a well-loved camping spot for many Lee County residents. The park is home to various habitats, making it the perfect home for different wildlife, including several fish species that anglers can target along the Lynches River. The Lynches River is a small water body running through the county known for its current breaks, fast waters, and deep bends. Anglers commonly catch bluegill, redear sunfish, warmouth, redbreast, catfish, crappie, and bass in the river. Boat access is limited within the park, though anglers can fish along the banks. There is an Artesian Lake within the park where kids can enjoy catching stocked catfish. If you are unprepared to fish while in the park, you can always borrow a fishing rod from the SC DNR's Fishing Tackle Loaner Program.

Apart from Lee State Park, there are other ways to access the Lynches River. One is via the modern boat ramp on Highway 15, four miles north of the river. This is a perfect place to start, as the river winds and passes through many downed timbers, farms, swamps, bluffs, wetlands, and crossroads — all of which can be attractive to a wide array of fish. You can also access the river via the Lynches River County Park, where you can launch a kayak or canoe or rent from the park’s Environmental Discovery Center.

Another South Carolina freshwater favorite is Lake Ashwood off Highway 15. This 75-acre lake is equipped with a boat ramp, a fishing pier, and a picnic spot, and the whole area is handicap-accessible. Only boats paddled or powered at 10 HP or less are allowed in the lake. The lake is one of the many state waters that receive a channel catfish stocking from the Department of Natural Resources, so you can be sure that it has plenty of fish. Aside from catfish, the lake may also be stocked with striped bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook trout. Other species in the lake include shell cracker, bluegill, crappie, bowfin, chain pickerel, blue catfish, and sunfish. Apart from the boat ramp and pier, there are many hiking trails in Lake Ashwood where you can walk and fish. As state water, the lake has plenty of regulations that all anglers should be mindful of. First off, the only type of fishing allowed in the lake is with poles or rods and reels. The lake is strict about its daily fish limits, so note that you can only catch 20 bluegill, 3 catfish, and 3 largemouth bass daily. Other statewide limitations apply to the lake, so check the DNR website for more information before fishing in the lake. 

Top 10 Fish Species in Bishopville, SC

The top 10 fish species in Bishopville, SC, are bluegill, channel catfish, redbreast sunfish, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, blue catfish, crappie, shell cracker, chain pickerel, and warmouth. 

Seasonal Fishing

Bishopville and the rest of South Carolina do not have a closed season for freshwater game fish, except in select areas. Your choice of fishing spots may also have their seasonal regulations, so you may want to check them before heading out. For example, striped bass caught in the Lynches River must be released from June 1st to September 30th. The ideal months to fish in Bishopville are from early spring, around March, especially in the Lynches River. Late summer can also be quite productive. 

Enjoy Distinct Attractions for the Whole Family at Bishopville

Bishopville is a city in touch with its natural surroundings and history. It offers a wide array of spots that the whole family can enjoy.

1. Book a Fishing Guide

The Lynches River may not seem like a treacherous water body, but it is a winding river with fast currents. If you’re not a particularly strong boater, you may want to book the services of a local guide who can take you through the water safely.

2. Marvel at Pearl Fryar’s Topiary Garden

Even if you’re not that into plants, you will still be amazed at the meticulous work of Pearl Fryar’s Topiary Garden. There’s a reason why it’s one of the most visited areas in South Carolina. It’s filled with many topiary sculptures that will leave you awe-struck. You can either walk around the garden at your own pace or join one of the scheduled group tours. You may have to call ahead if you’re joining the tour. 

3. Visit Two Different Kinds of Museums

Bishopville is home to the South Carolina Cotton Museum, all about the region’s rich history as a cotton capital. It displays many exhibits on farm life and the different equipment used through the two centuries. The Lee County Veterans Museum in the adjoining building pays tribute to the many heroes from different war eras, starting from the Revolutionary War.

To take a quick break from both museums' seriousness, head to the fascinating Button King Museum, a popular roadside attraction dedicated to Dalton Stevens, the self-proclaimed button king of Bishopville. The quirky man is a Guinness Book of World Records holder for the world’s largest button collection and has even caught the attention of many late-night hosts such as Johnny Carson and David Letterman.