Central, SC Fishing: Lake Fishing Amidst the Blue Ridge Mountains

Central is a town located in Pickens County in northwest South Carolina. Contrary to its name, it is not near the state’s center, but it is the midway point between the major cities of Atlanta, Georgia, and Charlotte, North Carolina. It is the central point along the former Atlanta and Richmond Air Line railway lines. The Atlanta and Richmond Air Line Company founded the town when the railroad boom began in the area in 1873, then established in 1975. The thriving community experienced misfortune after the Southern Railroad moved its repair shops to Greenville, therefore, trains no longer stopped in Central and fewer people came to the area. Central eventually underwent rapid growth in the 1990s thanks to an expanded road system, new industries, libraries, restaurants, recreational facilities, student apartments, and new homes. Active attempts have also been made to restore and preserve Central’s historic areas in the last decade.

Central takes pride in its wholesome atmosphere, rich cultural history, deep commitment to preserving the environment, and progressive approach to local business. Central’s small-town flavor comprises quiet, calm, and cozy, backed up by its historically significant and romantic past. Visiting Central will have no trouble finding Southern favorites, whether restaurants, landscapes, or other attractions. Anglers will also find plenty of lakes just half an hour from downtown. The lakes are abundant with game, and any angler can enjoy the scenic Blue Ridge Mountain Range as a backdrop while fishing.

Central Fishing

Fishing in Central means having the opportunity to catch a variety of fish species in one of the numerous lakes surrounding the town while appreciating the beautiful scenery set by the Blue Ridge Mountains. Central offers offshore and inshore fishing so that anglers can catch fish from land or by boat.

Lake Keowee and its rivers and streams offer some of the best bass fishing in the southeast region. It also provides some of the best scenic fishing as it surrounds The Cliffs with its clear water. The lake is filled with spotted bass, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. It also has healthy populations of common carp, black crappie, white crappie, rainbow trout, brown trout, bluegill, and yellow perch. Lake Keowee is known for its amazing spotted bass fishery, but any angler can find trophy-sized largemouth bass and smallmouth bass in certain lake spots. When there is a good amount of sunlight, an angler can find more fish gathering along the banks. Bass are mostly found along the shallows, so techniques such as baitcasting, spinning, and trolling are good enough to entice fish to bite one’s bait. Since the lake’s waters are clear, anglers set out to find stains and bedding where bass are commonly found. The docks on the northern part of the lake are used by bass as cover to spawn. Brush piles, cuts, points, drops, and sunken islands are also productive places to target fish. Boat anglers can launch from almost any part of the lake because numerous boat ramps surround it. Lake Keowee is such a terrific bass fishing spot that tournaments such as the FLW College Fishing National Championship and FLW Bass Fishing League are hosted there.

Lake Hartwell is another legendary bass fishery that hosts numerous bass fishing tournaments. It is located along the state’s western border, with around 960 miles of shoreline to fish and launch boats from. Lake Hartwell is home to species such as largemouth bass, spotted bass, redeye bass,  striped bass, hybrid striped bass, white bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, pumpkinseed sunfish, redbreast sunfish, redear sunfish, warmouth, white perch, yellow perch, bluegill, and chain pickerel. The lake is the best place for boat anglers because they can launch pontoon boats, ski boats, kayaks, and family boats from over half a dozen marinas and boat ramps that line its shores. Anglers can find fish in areas where there are humps, bumps, islands, points, creek channels, ledges, and backwaters which are used as cover by bass and bait fish alike.

Anglers who want to do some trout fishing can go to Lake Jocassee. It is one of the few trout lakes in the state and offers fishing for cold and warm water species and located on South Carolina’s northwest border with North Carolina. The lake is ideal for boat anglers because of its rocky shorelines. Three public boat ramps are available for use, and boat rentals are available at the Jocassee Outdoor Center, which serves the lake and Lake Keowee. Fish found in its waters include rainbow trout, brown trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, redeye bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, redbreast sunfish, redear sunfish, warmouth, white bass, yellow perch, hybrid striped bass, and chain pickerel. Lake Jocassee is also one of the only lakes that offer trophy fishing for trout and smallmouth bass. The lake currently holds state records for redeye bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, brown trout, and rainbow trout. Its streams offer fantastic fly fishing for bass and trout, while its deep water areas are great for trolling.

Top 10 Fish Species in Central, SC

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

Seasonal Fishing

Bass species are best targeted during the warmer months of spring and summer. April and May are the best months for bass fishing, but they can be active until June. Trout season occurs during the colder months from November through April. The prime time for catching crappie is in April and May. Bream and sunfish species can be caught at any time of the year, but fishing for them during the spring and summer is preferable. Catfish are also terrific summer targets as they spawn from May to July. Perch species are best caught when there is daylight. They are most active just after sunrise, in the late afternoon, and before the sun sets.

Cruising in Central

Central offers a wide range of attractions, from natural landscapes to historical points of interest. The town is a must-visit destination if one is traveling around the American South.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

The lakes surrounding Central are bases for many fishing charters and fishing guides an angler can book to make the most of angling in the town. Book a fishing charter to experience a better time angling in Central’s local waters and ensure one is coming home with the fish they’re vying for. The lakes are also home to many marinas offering boat rental services, fishing gear, and bait and tackle shops.

2. Visit the Local Museum

The Central Railway Museum celebrates America's railroad history, especially that of the Carolinas. It exhibits models and real railroads in its large dual-level heritage layout that loops around inside the museum. It hosts an annual train show in February in Upstate South Carolina, which features trains in various scales and vendors. The museum is operated by the Central Railway Model and Historical Association. It is located at 108 Werner Street and is open every Saturday from 9 AM to 2 PM, with free admission for all ages. 

3. Cycle Around Central

Those who want to appreciate Central’s diverse scenery can go biking, hiking, and cycling around the SWU Bike Trails and Hundred Acre Wood Trails situated at the edge of Southern Wesleyan University’s campus in the southeast. The six-mile-long trail is open from sunrise to sunset and offers birding opportunities. The trails can be accessed at the end of Clayton Street and are accessible to the public. The trails allow users of all skill levels to ride or hike a trail configuration of their choice. People are not permitted to use motorized vehicles and horses on the trails. Those bringing their dogs along should make sure they are leashed, and owners should clean up after them.