Blythewood, SC Fishing: Freshwater Fishing Access in the Metro Columbia District

Blythewood is a quaint and burgeoning suburb of Columbia, located 15 miles from the city’s downtown area. It was initially called Doko (meaning “watering place” in Native Americans) after the Doko Depot, a railroad stop between Charlotte and Columbia. Doko Depot was the water supplier for the steam engines of the trains that ran the tracks. It renamed itself Blythewood when the railroad fell into disuse, taking it from The Blythewood Female Institute, a local school known as Blythewood Academy.

Today, the suburb remains small but is exponentially growing in population. Despite its fast development, it maintains its long-standing traditions. Agriculture has always been a big part of the suburb’s livelihood; to this day, the local farmer’s market remains the town’s primary food source. Its equestrian tradition likewise remains strong. It is known as the home base of the University of South Carolina National Championship Equestrian Team and has several home-grown horse farms that have been around for ages.

As a former railroad stop between Charlotte and Columbia, Blythewood is gifted with a fantastic location that puts it at the heart of both worlds. For this reason, it offers a convenient and beautiful home base for anglers who want to explore the various fishing hotspots in central South Carolina, particularly in the metro Columbia district and surrounding counties.

Blythewood Fishing

The suburb of Blythewood is not a fishing destination. Still, its convenient location makes it an ideal access point to many nearby towns with productive spots in the Columbia Metropolitan Area.

Lake Murray is a world-class fishing hotspot you can easily access from Blythewood. Because of its productive and clear waters, it is a favorite among anglers from all over the state. It is home to over 12 fish species and numerous local and national fishing tournaments. The large lake is 55,000 acres in size and has over 600 miles of shoreline. Some of the most commonly caught species in the lake include largemouth bass, striped bass, white bass, bluegill or bream, white perch, channel catfish, white bullhead, redear sunfish or shellcracker, and black crappie. 

This favorite bass hotspot spans four counties and can be accessed via different points across the region. Dreher Island State Park is ideal for anglers, specifically targeting the lake's stocked striped and largemouth bass. It has three islands and over 300 acres, offering 12 miles of fishing access to the lake's shoreline. Fishing is not allowed on bridges, docks, and boat ramps, but you're free to fish the lake from the shore. The park does not have any boat rentals on-site, but you can approach any park staff for local vendor recommendations.

Anglers can access the lake from the park via 11 public boat ramps. A good tip for those fishing the lake for the first time: get a map of the 24 fish attractors courtesy of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SC DNR). These are all decent spots to cast a line. Daily catch limits and seasonal regulations keep the lake as productive as possible. Make sure to check them before heading out into the water.

The Congaree River is another fishing haven in the Metro Columbia area. It's a hotspot for striped bass, especially around spring when the fish migrate from the Santee-Cooper Lakes to the river's warmer waters. It is also known for its smallmouth bass population. Like Lake Murray, there are various ways to access the river. Richland County has public ramps at Barney Jordan and Bates Bridge, while Lexington has public boat ramps at Thomas H. Newman. Paddlers can launch their boats on Gervais Street Bridge. 

The Saluda River, a tributary of Congaree, also offers excellent fishing. It is particularly known as a prime fly fishing destination. It is regularly stocked with trout, which thrive in the river because its waters, which come from the bottom of Lake Murray, stay within the 50s and lower 60s for much of the year. It is a hot spot for striped bass in big congregations and trophy smallmouth bass during summer. Saluda Shoals Park and Hope Ferry Landing are two popular access points to the river. 

Lake Wateree, northeast of Blythewood, is one of the largest lakes in the state. Anglers can access the waterbody within Lake Wateree State Park. It is surrounded by 14 access points, with eight public boat access areas maintained by Duke Energy and SC DNR. The state department manages 17 fish attractors in the lake and preserves the population of the fish species for recreational fishing purposes. It regularly stocks the river with striped bass to keep its numbers. The Lake Wateree State Recreation Area within the park has boating and bank fishing access areas. It's a favorite fishing spot for striped bass, black crappie, largemouth bass, and catfish. 

Sesquicentennial State Park may not have a big lake, but it's still a beautiful and relaxing fishing spot. Its 30-acre lake has largemouth bass and bluegill. The lake does not have a boat ramp, but there is boat access at the drop-off area, which boaters can reach on foot. 

Top 10 Fish Species in Blythewood

The top 10 fish species in Blythewood, SC, include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, channel catfish, bluegill, redear sunfish, white bass, white perch, black crappie, and white bullhead.

Seasonal Fishing

Depending on your target fish species, fishing in South Carolina can be good all year round. Anglers should target striped bass starting mid-April until late May, when the fish start migrating upriver. From June 1 to September 30, striped bass are not legally available for fishing. During the colder months of the year, the cool waters of the Saluda River are best for fishing stocked trout. When they start warming up in the summer, the rivers in the district attract large populations of striped bass and smallmouth bass.

Enjoy the Great Outdoor Traditions of Blythewood

Blythewood is the perfect mix of exciting and traditional as a fast-developing suburb with a firm hold on its local roots.

1. Book a Fishing Guide

Exploring the waters around Blythewood and the metro Columbia district is best with a local expert. They can help you follow the state regulations, especially seasonal ones, and lead you to productive fishing holes.

2. Be an Equestrian for a Day

Blythewood calls itself “the other horse country” as it’s not as popular as other equestrian cities like Aiken or Camden. It does hold its own against these bigger places with its many equestrian events, horse farms, and prime horse-riding facilities and academies. Want to be an equestrian for a day? Check out the suburb’s many horse farms like Smith Farms and Three Fox Farm for lessons.

3. Go Golfing

Blythewood has two premier golfing facilities. Cobblestone Park Golf Club used to be a popular Midlands private club known for its 27-hole layout and iconic clubhouse. On the other hand, Blythewood Country Club is for serious golfers with its Pete Dye 18-hold layout and challenging landscape.