Blackville, SC Fishing: Exceptional Angling in the Back Country

Blackville situates in Barnwell County, along the South Carolina Heritage Corridor. It was named after railroad promoter Alexander Black. Blackville became the location for trains’ overnight stops after a railroad was built between Charleston and Hamburg. Blackville later became a marketing and transportation center because of the railroads, surviving every setback it experienced. Blackville continued to rise until the Civil War began in 1861. 

Blackville is well-known for its water supply, used for drinking and transportation. Many settlers in the Blackville area live there because of water availability. Healing Springs is located in Blackville. The stories of the Healing Springs date back to the 1700s when Indians believed in the springs' healing powers. Natives still living in the area believe the spring waters are a cure for all ailments. Mennonite settlers from western states choose to stay and live in Blackville. Now, they continue to share their craft, food, and their religious insight with the Blackville community.

Blackville is also known for its annual Blackville Music and Art Festival. Visitors can join in the festival's parade, watch live performances, appreciate the locals' art and craft, or attend public lectures by scholars. The festival aims to familiarize the Blackville community with various arts, cultures, and history.

Blackville Fishing

South Carolina is famous for its shoreline of excellent beaches and islands. The state also offers excellent fishing opportunities.

Lake Cynthia is located in the southern part of Blackville and is home to roach, largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, and redear sunfish. The Little Salkehatchie River is connected to Lake Cynthia. Anglers flock to this spot to catch warmouth and bluegill. Guess Pond, Brooker Mills Pond, and Brooker Pond are famous for largemouth fishing. Spotted bass and largemouth bass are the common catches in Ghents Branch. Halfmoon Branch is located near Ghents Branch, and anglers can catch largemouth bass, bluegill, sheepshead, black bullhead, pumpkinseed, chain pickerel, and alligator gar. Sheepford Branch is home to rock bass and trout. Bank fishing is commonly done in these fishing locations. Fishing from the banks allows anglers to reach as many fish as possible. There are also higher chances of baitcasting and fly fishing opportunities.

Barnwell State Park is a great fishing spot in South Carolina. It has three small-sized lakes available for fishing. The state park is known to be the community's favorite spot. Crappie, bream, bass, and catfish are just some species that anglers can catch in Barnwell State Park. Anglers can also launch a boat or a kayak. The state park is also open for swimming; it is a family-friendly place and a kid-friendly environment. Windy Hill Creek is a good choice for targeting largemouth bass, while Wolf Bay and Little Wolf Bay are the perfect locations for pumpkinseed fishing. Largemouth bass are common catches for anglers trying their luck in Toby Creek. Willis Millpond is home to trophy largemouth bass, making it another favorite bass fishing location. Bass species like largemouth bass and rock bass are found in Whaley Creek. The most popular species caught in Matthews Millpond in Aiken near Blackville are largemouth bass. 

Healing Springs is another top location for anglers in Blackville. It is home to massive largemouth bass and redbreast sunfish. A 10-minute ride from the center of Blackville to the nearby Hanahan will lead you to Turkey Creek. Turkey Creek is the favorite location of anglers fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill, red drum, channel catfish, summer flounder, yellow perch, rock bass, and white perch. Fly fishing is the easiest technique to use when fishing in the area.

The Barnwell Fish Hatchery Fishing Rodeo is held near Blackville at the Barnwell Fish Hatchery. Individuals aged 14 and up are eligible to compete. Participants are encouraged to bring their fishing equipment and bait. They are also encouraged to bring a cooler or a bucket to transport their catch.

Fishing regulations in South Carolina change annually. Check the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources before heading out fishing. The website has up-to-date rules and regulations for the current fishing season. 

Top 10 Species in Blackville, SC

The top 10 fish species found in Blackville, SC, are channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, roach, redear sunfish, warmouth, crappie, trout, pumpkinseed, and rock bass.

Seasonal Fishing

Freshwater fishing season in Blackville is open year-round. Spring is the most suitable season to fish for largemouth bass. They also spawn during spring. Channel catfish spawn from May to July, and they are caught during June and the summer months. Bluegill spawning season starts from late May into August when water temperatures are high, but anglers can catch them best during spring. Roach are caught throughout the year. They spawn from March to June in the same spot annually. Anglers can catch redear sunfish during its spawning season, which takes place every late spring and early summer. Warmouth spawn in late spring through summer, but they are caught year-round. Crappie are caught during spring, and they breed during the months of early March to the middle of May. Trout are best caught during their spawning season, which occurs every May. Pumpkinseed spawning activities happen from May to July; this is also the best time to catch them. Rock bass are caught year-round but spawn from late June to early July.

Activities To Do in Blackville

Beautiful sites with historical backgrounds surround Blackville. By visiting the locations, tourists will surely enjoy the scenic beauty of Blackville while at the same time learning about its past and how it thrived after the Civil War.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Booking a fishing charter will help anglers find the best fishing spots in Blackville. Fishing charters also offer fishing equipment and guided tours specifically for those not yet familiar with the Blackville area. 

2. Museum Tour

The Agricultural Heritage Museum shows agriculture's historical and cultural influences in the Blackville area. It has displays from the 18th and 19th centuries, aiming to teach and show visitors how agriculture impacted the life of settlers in the area. The museum is located at Clemson University's Edisto Research and Education Center.

3. Visit a State Park

Aside from being a top fishing spot, the Barnwell State Park has dedicated sites for visitors who want to set up a camp and a picnic trip with family. The Barnwell State Park also has a venue for meetings, reunions, and weddings. The Civilian Conservation Corps built the Barnwell State Park during the Great Depression, aiming to provide jobs for the men in the Blackville area and recreational opportunities for the people who lived in nearby towns.