Cayce, SC Fishing: Excellent River Fishing in the Midlands

Across the Congaree River from South Carolina’s capital, Columbia, Cayce, is a historic city that was one of the first few lands settled by Europeans in the Midlands. With a firm nod to its colorful past, Cayce continues to grow as a charming hometown for families looking for a convenient and cozy place to raise their brood and for travelers seeking an alternative to the hectic pace of the nearby downtown.

The current city of Cayce grew around the trading village of Granby and was named after the prominent Cayce family who once occupied the former Fort Granby. The village grew well into the early 19th century when the railroads came. It was then formerly known as Cayce Crossing after the Cayce uncle who ran the town’s general store. Because of its proximity to the ever-expanding Columbia metropolitan area, Cayce experienced continuous growth — from a humble railroad town into a hub for many small and large businesses.

Aside from being a city on a consistent path to development, Cayce is firmly rooted in its rich history and lush natural environment. Travelers can enjoy both with convenient access when they set foot in the city. Cayce has museums and historic landmarks dedicated to the agricultural and socio-cultural heritage of the former trading post, a wonderfully designed park that keeps the Congaree River within easy reach, and various other spots that put the city’s attractions front and center.

Visitors can bask in the beauty of the city of Cayce, but why would you sit back when you can immerse in it with ease? Anglers, in particular, will enjoy fishing in plenty of well-designed parks and facilities that offer excellent access to the rich waters of Cayce and the surrounding Columbia metropolitan area.

Cayce Fishing

Cayce is a lucky city to sit on the banks of the Congaree River, a 50-mile-long river that consists of different waterbodies originating at the confluence of the Broad and Saluda Rivers. It links South Carolina’s metropolitan areas to the rich natural habitat within the Congaree National Park. 

Cayce offers various access points to fish in the small but great river. There’s the Cayce Riverwalk, a highlight of any trip to Cayce. Its design is a direct homage to the first riverfront settlements of Granby with all the modern necessities of a city park, including ADA-accessible facilities, family-friendly seating and picnic areas, wonderful pathways, and trails to enjoy the river and its lush natural surroundings. From the riverwalk, you can easily walk toward the Thomas A Newman Boat Landing, north of Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve. Here anglers can enjoy a round of fishing on the fishing pier and the boat landing. This particular fishing spot is known for its striped bass run, which begins at the end of March and lasts well into August. Other fish you can expect to land in this relaxing fishing area include smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin, channel catfish, redbreast sunfish, and yellow perch. Boat anglers are advised to proceed cautiously when launching a boat onto the river, as it has a strong current.

Less than 30 minutes from the city, you will find South Carolina’s only national park, Congaree National Park, which offers another way to access the river. The park encourages recreational fishing by opening all its areas to the sport, except from or within 25 feet of bridges, boardwalks, or any man-made structures in the park. There’s no closed season for game fish, except from June 1 to September 30, when striped bass cannot be kept and must be adequately released into the water. To keep up with the conservation of the river’s fisheries, though, there are strict daily creel limits on the river’s catch.

Another not-so-hidden gem in the Cayce area is the Saluda River, a favored fly fishing hotspot that stays in the 50s to 60s for most of the year, making it rich water for trout in the fall, winter, and spring. In the South Carolina summer, the river sees some of the biggest striped bass runs on the east coast and is a delight to marvel at and fish.

One fascinating phenomenon that local anglers have observed at the junction of the Congaree and Saluda Rivers happens in April. While busy fishing for stocked brown trout or rainbow trout in the lower Saluda, they find big stripers swimming up to the Congaree in search of cool water and a perfect spot to spawn. Experts recommend fishing for striped bass everywhere you can in the lower Saluda mouth, right where it meets the upper Congaree—cast in the deep holes or follow the schools while using a variety of topwater and sub-surface flies and baits. If you’re seeking trout, know that they enjoy a variety of insects like different mayfly species in the river — so try to match.

Several access points to the river include the Saluda Shoals State Park and the Hope Ferry Landing, which offer a boat ramp and shoreline fishing access. Like the Congaree River, the Saluda can be pretty risky—its water levels can rise to 10 feet, and during these times, its currents can be quite dangerous. Before visiting, anglers are advised to get information on the water flow by calling 800–830–5253 to determine if it’s safe enough to fish from a boat. If the water’s too low, you may have to fish from various public points or get permission from private land owners with access to the river.

Lake Murray, one of the best freshwater fishing hotspots in all of South Carolina, is just as easy to access from Cayce. Once constructed as a hydroelectric generator facility, it is now a well-loved recreational destination for anyone visiting the Columbia metropolitan area. The lake holds several fish species anglers love to catch in the state, including largemouth bass, striped bass, white bass, white perch, bluegill or bream, crappie, channel catfish, white catfish, and other bullhead species, and redear sunfish. The lake is so big that you can access it from various counties, most of which offer concrete boat ramps. Some of them are likewise open for shoreline fishing and pier fishing. 

Top 10 Fish Species in Cayce, SC

The top 10 fish species found in Cayce, SC, are striped bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, brown trout, white bass, redear sunfish, bluegill, yellow perch, and crappie. 

Seasonal Fishing

Fishing can be productive in Cayce all year round, depending on the river you choose to cast a line in and your target catch. Saluda River offers trout fishing almost year-round for trout, thanks to its tailwater fed by Lake Murray. Striped bass enter the picture in spring and can be caught well into August. Midway through, you’ll have to be prepared to do some proper catch-and-release for this sought-after game fish, as keeping them from June to September is illegal if you’re keen on catching them. Waking up before sunrise should keep you ahead of the game.

Immerse in History and the Great Outdoors in Cayce 

Cayce offers travelers a refreshing change of pace with its excellent attractions, many of which can be enjoyed by families and individuals with a deep interest in history and the great outdoors.

1. Book a Fishing Guide

Cayce has access to some of the best fishing spots in South Carolina, many of which can be quite unpredictable, especially if it’s your first time. Partake in a safe and comfortable fishing experience by getting the expert services of a local guide who can take you to all the hottest fishing spots safely and legally.

2. Join a Themed Walking Tour

Learn more about the history of Cayce and the Midlands region by joining a walking tour with the 12,000 Year History Park on Congaree Creek. One of the Three Rivers Greenway (along with the Cayce Riverwalk and the West Columbia Riverwalk), this park is unique for its focus on the living history of the area and the nature around it. It offers tours that cover the Civil War Battle of Congaree Creek, Fort Congaree, 18th Century Trade, and Native American Lifeways. It’s an excellent way to combine a great outdoor walk with an immersive history lesson.

3. Hop Museums with the Family

The South Carolina State Museum is one of the top museums in the region. It has over 70,000 artifacts and five galleries devoted to rotating exhibits from all over the world. Adjacent to the museum is the Edventure Children’s Museum, where your kids can enjoy hands-on exhibits.