--- title: "Rock Hill Fishing Report — Lakes & Rivers" url: https://www.hererockhill.com/fishing-report/ date: 2026-04-14T12:38:13-04:00 modified: 2026-04-18T18:41:31-04:00 author: "" site: "HERERockHill" attribution: "HERERockHill" --- # Rock Hill Fishing Report — Lakes & Rivers *Source: [HERERockHill](https://www.hererockhill.com/fishing-report/) — April 14, 2026 by * Latest Rock Hill's source for local news ☁ 70°F Clear · Rock Hill ROCK HILL, SC · PIEDMONT EDITION · THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2026 [BUSINESS DIRECTORY](/spartanburg-business-directory/) | [ADD YOUR BUSINESS](/add-business/) | [NEWSLETTER](/newsletter/) | [SUBMIT A TIP](/submit-a-tip/) [HERE City Network](https://www.herecity.com) [HERERock Hill Rock Hill, SC — Piedmont Edition](https://www.hererockhill.com/) - [BUSINESS](/business-hub/) - [PUBLIC SAFETY](/public-safety/) [Crime](/crime-public-safety/) - [Traffic](/traffic/) [POLITICS](/politics/) [SPORTS](/sports/) - [Game Day](/game-day/) - [Game Week](/game-week/) - [HS + NIL](/find-my-school-high-school/) - [Fishing](/fishing-report/) - [Hunting](/hunting-report/) - [Golf](/golf-report/) [LIVING](/live-here/) - [Neighborhoods](/live-here/) - [Add Your Business](/add-business/) - [YTT](/yesterday-today-tomorrow/) - [Technology](/technology/) - [Health & Wellness](/health-wellness/) - [Home & Garden](/home-garden/) - [Education HERE](/here-education/) [EVENTS](/spartanburg-events/) [ANNOUNCEMENTS](/announcements/) - [Obituaries](/spartanburg-obituaries/) - [Order an Obituary](/obituaries/) - [Wedding Announcements](/spartanburg-wedding-announcements/) - [Order a Wedding Announcement](/wedding-announcements/) [ABOUT](/about/) [CONTACT](/contact/) [ADVERTISE — HERE City](https://www.herecity.com/advertise/) [Publish Here →](https://www.hererockhill.com/corporate-communications/) HERERockHill # Rock HillFishingReport 2026 Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, regulations, and community fishing coverage for York County lakes and rivers. Bass: Hot Bite Crappie: Spawning Catfish: Active 9 Waters Profiled **9** Waters Profiled **Live** Conditions **Solunar** Rating **2026** Season First Look • Fishing Conditions 🌔 Waxing Gibbous Illumination: 93% Air Temp 68°F Est. Water 63°F Wind 6 mph Pressure 1016 Fair — bright nights mean fish feed overnight. Try early morning before they drop deep. 95 EXCELLENT Excellent bite conditions. Get on the water at first light. York County • Piedmont SC Your Local *Fishing Resource* York County punches well above its weight as a fishing destination. Six public lakes totaling over 3,600 acres, three river systems with surprising species diversity, and a crappie fishery that locals have been quietly exploiting for decades — all within 30 minutes of downtown. Lake Bowen's 33-mile shoreline holds Rock Hills best all-around bass and crappie lake. Lake Cooley offers the county's largest crappie in clear water for those willing to do the detective work. The Pacolet and Tyger rivers deliver smallmouth and spotted bass fishing that most Rock Hill anglers don't even know they have access to. Whether you're launching a bass boat at Lake Bowen, drifting minnows through Lake Lyman's dock field, or wading Pacolet River shoals with a fly rod, the HERERockHill Fishing Report has your conditions, regulations, and community coverage all in one place. Current Conditions • Rock Hill Waters Species *Status* Largemouth Bass HOT Pre-spawn and spawn mode. Bass are in the shallows — topwater and soft plastics on beds. **Top Bait**Spinnerbait, Topwater Frog, Plastic Worm **Depth**2-8 ft (spawning flats) Smallmouth Bass HOT Prime smallmouth season on the Pacolet and Tyger. Rocky shoals hold feeding fish. **Top Bait**Tube Jig, Crawfish Pattern, Ned Rig **Depth**Shoal tail-outs, 3-12 ft Crappie HOT SPAWN MODE. Crappie are stacked on shallow brush, docks, and bridge pilings at 3-6 ft. **Top Bait**Small Tube Jig, Live Minnow, Slip Float **Depth**3-8 ft (spawning brush) Catfish ACTIVE Catfish feeding well in spring and fall. Target deeper holes and channel swings. **Top Bait**Cut Shad, Chicken Liver, Prepared Stink Bait **Depth**Channel edges, 10-30 ft Bluegill / Bream ACTIVE Bream feeding actively. Work dock edges and shallow vegetation with small jigs or live bait. **Top Bait**Cricket, Worm, Small Jig (1/32 oz) **Depth**Spawning: 1-4 ft. Non-spawn: dock edges 4-10 ft Trout HOT spring stocking season. Fresh stockers in Croft State Park and designated waters. PowerBait and worms. **Top Bait**PowerBait, Night Crawler, Inline Spinner **Depth**Stocked areas — Lake Craig, designated streams Species status is based on seasonal patterns and current conditions for York County waters. Always verify regulations for creel limits, size minimums, and any current advisories before heading out. [Report a Bite Update](/submit-a-tip/?topic=report-a-bite-update) Fishing Report Partners [Dick's Sporting Goods](https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/c/fishing) [Bass Pro Shops](https://www.basspro.com) [REI Co-op](https://www.rei.com/c/fishing) [Academy Sports](https://www.academy.com/fishing) First Look Weather & *Fishing Conditions* 68F Partly Cloudy Feels like 65°F Wind 6 mph SSW Humidity 62% Pressure 1016 hPa Est. Water Temp 63°F Moon Waxing Gibbous Sunrise / Sunset 6:45 am / 7:50 pm Location Rock Hill, SC On-the-Water Tips - Water temps in the prime range — bass are active on shallow structure. Topwater lures effective morning and evening. - Calm winds make for ideal casting conditions. Fish will be spooky in clear water — use light line and natural presentations. - Falling barometric pressure activates feeding. Fish are on the move — work moving baits and cover water quickly. Solunar Index Fishing *Conditions Dashboard* Air Temperature 68°F Optimal Bite Wind Speed 6 mph Calm — Ideal Barometric Pressure 1016 hPa Falling — Feeding! Moon Phase 🌔 Good EXCELLENT Excellent bite conditions. Get on the water at first light. Extended Outlook 5-Day Fishing *Forecast* MON Sunny 70° / 51° 4 mph wind • 53% humidity EXCELLENT TUE Partly Cloudy 73° / 55° 8 mph wind • 52% humidity GOOD WED Light Rain 65° / 48° 4 mph wind • 55% humidity EXCELLENT THU Clear & Cool 62° / 45° 5 mph wind • 67% humidity EXCELLENT FRI Mostly Cloudy 75° / 57° 11 mph wind • 65% humidity EXCELLENT Lakes & Rivers Water Body *Profiles* Nine fishing waters within York County — six public lakes and three rivers — with species, access, tips, and restrictions. Lake Bowen 1,534 Municipal Reservoir Inman, SC Largemouth Bass Spotted Bass Crappie Catfish Bluegill The largest public lake in Spartanburg County with 33 miles of shoreline. Lake Bowen is a Spartanburg Water reservoir dissected by SC-9 and I-26, offering excellent dock fishing for crappie and largemouth bass. Man-made brush piles throughout the lake concentrate fish. The area from SC-9 to the dam holds the most consistent bass action, while the Compton Bridge stump flat above I-26 is a crappie magnet. Lake Bowen Park boat ramp off SC-9 in Inman. Boating permit required from Spartanburg Water. Additional bank fishing access at park. Angler Tip Shoot jigs under the widest floating docks in 6-8 feet for crappie. For bass, work the brush piles with Texas-rigged plastic worms. Field Guide Coming Soon Lake Blalock ~1,200 Municipal Reservoir Chesnee, SC Largemouth Bass Crappie Catfish Bluegill A Pacolet River impoundment in northern Spartanburg County. The 2007 dam-raising project flooded new growth and created excellent shallow-water cover for crappie and bass. Bridge pilings are productive post-spawn structure. Buck Creek and the upper Pacolet headwaters hold fish around standing greenery near the channel. Lake Blalock Park, 1925 Sandy Ford Rd, Chesnee. Boat ramp and fishing pier. Boating permit required from Spartanburg Water. Angler Tip Bridge fishing for crappie around the pilings is productive year-round. Bass relate to the flooded timber in the upper reaches. Field Guide Coming Soon Lake Cooley 330 SJWD Reservoir Inman, SC Crappie Largemouth Bass Catfish Bluegill The clearest water of the four public lakes and home to the biggest crappie in Spartanburg County. Main-lake points with ledges dropping from 8 to 20 feet hold slabs that are hard to find but worth the effort. Peak spawn runs late March through April. The lack of tributary creeks means fish relate to main-lake structure. 100 Cooley Dock Rd, west of SC-292 in Inman. Boat ramp. Boating permit required from SJWD Water District. Angler Tip Tight-line troll translucent jigs in albino shad or rainbow trout colors over main-lake ledges. The biggest crappie in the county are here. Field Guide Coming Soon Lake Lyman ~400 SJWD Reservoir Lyman, SC Crappie Largemouth Bass Bluegill The quantity lake for crappie. Middle Tyger River impoundment where anglers regularly catch 50-100 crappie per trip on the shallow flats. Most fish run 8-10 inches. The upper end above Sloan Road bridge consistently holds the most spawning fish. Meadow Creek cove is a reliable backup when the main flat slows. Lyman Lake Rd off SC-357. Boat ramp. Boating permit required from SJWD Water District. Angler Tip Jig and cork on the shallow flats above Sloan Road bridge for numbers. Meadow Creek cove for a change of pace. Field Guide Coming Soon Lake Craig (Croft State Park) 165 State Park Lake Croft State Park, Spartanburg Largemouth Bass Crappie Catfish Bluegill Bream A 165-acre Kelsey Creek impoundment within Croft State Park. Wooded banks with submerged stumps provide excellent habitat for bass and crappie. No gasoline engines keep the water quiet. Boat rentals available ($15/4hr, $25/day). Kayak and canoe rentals start at $10/hr. The best family fishing destination in Spartanburg County. Croft State Park, 450 Croft State Park Rd. Boat ramp, fishing pier, boat and kayak rentals. $3 park entry per vehicle. Angler Tip Bass hold on submerged stumps along the wooded banks. Plastic worms Texas-rigged are the top producer. Kids catch bluegill all morning on crickets under a bobber. Field Guide Coming Soon Lake Edwin Johnson 40 SCDNR Public Fishing Lake Near Croft State Park, off SC-295 Largemouth Bass Bluegill Shellcracker Catfish A 40-acre SCDNR-managed public fishing lake. Fertilized to promote bass and bluegill growth. Free access with boat ramp, fishing pier, and picnic shelter. Open sunrise to sunset. Electric trolling motors only. Specific creel limits: 10 bream, 3 bass, 3 catfish per day. Lake Johnson Rd off SC-295. Free entry. Boat ramp, fishing pier, picnic shelter. Sunrise to sunset. Angler Tip Fertilized lake produces excellent bluegill and bass. Smaller size makes it easy to fish thoroughly from a kayak in half a day. Field Guide Coming Soon Pacolet River 50+ miles River / Tributary Through Spartanburg County Smallmouth Bass Spotted Bass Largemouth Bass Rock Bass Crappie Catfish Spartanburg's hidden bass fishery. Over 50 miles of fishable water with rocky shoals holding smallmouth and spotted bass that regularly exceed 18 inches. Kayak-friendly float trips through rapids combine fishing and adventure. Relatively un-pressured compared to the county lakes. Glendale Shoals, Pacolet Fishing Pier (Sunny Acres Rd), multiple bridge crossings. Part of the Pacolet River Blueway (50+ miles). Angler Tip Hellgrammite patterns, crawfish imitations, and small jerkbaits in current seams. Kayak is the ideal approach for covering water through the shoals. Field Guide Coming Soon Tyger River System Three Forks River System Spartanburg / Laurens Counties Smallmouth Bass Alabama Bass Bartram's Bass Largemouth Bass Sunfish Catfish Three forks (North, Middle, South Tyger) with rocky shoals and bass variety including SCDNR-introduced smallmouth. Lake Cunningham (800 acres) on the South Tyger has boat ramps and piers. Good float trips combining fishing and paddling through shoals. Multiple road crossings. Lake Cunningham has a boat ramp and piers. Various bridge access points along all three forks. Angler Tip Spotted bass and smallmouth hold in shoals below Lake Cunningham dam. Rooster tail spinners and small crankbaits work the current seams. Field Guide Coming Soon Lawson's Fork Creek Urban Creek Creek / Tributary Downtown Spartanburg Sunfish Bass Catfish A Pacolet River tributary running through the Spartanburg urban area. Part of the Pacolet River Blueway with 50+ miles of mapped water trail. Historic mill sites along the banks provide character. Urban creek fishing accessible from parks and greenway access points. Various parks and greenway access points along the creek through downtown Spartanburg and surrounding areas. Angler Tip Light tackle and small lures for sunfish and creek bass. Walk the greenway to find deeper pools holding bigger fish. Field Guide Coming Soon Did We Miss a Spot? Know a Rock Hill-area fishing lake, pond, or river stretch that should be on this list? Let us know. [Report a Fishing Spot](/submit-a-tip/?topic=report-a-fishing-spot) Community Reviews I Fished *Here* Lake Lyman Dan • Apr 14, 2026 Lyman is quantity over quality for crappie but you can catch 50-plus in a morning if you find the flats. Fished the shallow water above Sloan Road bridge and caught 38 crappie in about 3 hours. Most were 8-10 inches. Used a jig and cork in 4-6 feet of water. Meadow Creek cove also produced well on curly tail jigs. **Species:** Crappie **Lure/Bait:** Jig and cork **Best Spot:** Flats above Sloan Road bridge Tyger River System Chris • Apr 14, 2026 Float trip on the South Tyger from Lake Cunningham dam downstream. The shoals are loaded with spotted bass and a few Alabama bass mixed in. Caught everything on a black rooster tail. Water was low but still floatable in a kayak if you know where to portage. These river fish fight way harder than lake fish. **Species:** Spotted Bass **Lure/Bait:** Black rooster tail spinner **Best Spot:** Shoals below Lake Cunningham Lake Craig (Croft State Park) Lisa • Apr 14, 2026 Took the kids to Croft State Park for a Saturday trip. Rented a fishing boat for $10 and hit the coves near the ramp. Kids caught bluegill and bream all morning on crickets under a bobber. I picked up 2 nice bass on a Zoom trick worm around the submerged stumps. Great family spot — no gas motors so it stays quiet. **Species:** Largemouth Bass / Bluegill **Lure/Bait:** Zoom trick worm / crickets **Best Spot:** Coves near boat ramp Lake Cooley Tommy • Apr 14, 2026 Lake Cooley is the hardest lake in the county to crack but the slabs are worth it. Tight-line trolled the main-lake points where the ledges drop from 8 to 20 feet. Picked up 8 crappie including a 14-incher that was the biggest I have caught in Spartanburg County. Late March is prime time here. **Species:** Crappie **Lure/Bait:** Albino shad jig — tight-line trolled **Best Spot:** Main-lake point ledges [See All Reviews](/fishing-reviews/) Share Your Trip Fished a Rock Hill-area lake or river? Tell us about it in 280 characters or fewer. Water Body Fished * Select a water body... Lake Bowen Lake Blalock Lake Cooley Lake Lyman Lake Craig (Croft State Park) Lake Edwin Johnson Pacolet River Tyger River System Lawson's Fork Creek Other Lake / Pond Other River / Creek Your First Name * How Was the Fishing? * (280 characters max) Species Caught Select species... Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass Crappie Catfish Bluegill / Bream Trout Multiple Species Other Lure / Bait That Worked Best Spot / Area on the Water Submit Review Community Here *We...* Reel Them *In...* Big catches, personal bests, and tournament fish from Rock Hill anglers. Sarah — Pacolet River Biggest smallmouth of the year from the Pacolet River below Glendale Shoals. Caught on a hellgrammite fly in the main current seam. These river fish are absolutely on fire right now. **Smallmouth Bass** 3.2 lbs / 17 inches Mike — Lake Bowen Pre-spawn largemouth from Lake Bowen. Caught on a watermelon trick worm around a brush pile near the I-26 bridge. She hit it on the fall and peeled drag for a solid 30 seconds. **Largemouth Bass** 5.8 lbs / 21 inches Tommy — Lake Cooley Monster slab from Lake Cooley. Caught tight-line trolling a translucent jig over a main-lake ledge. Biggest crappie I have pulled out of any Spartanburg County lake. **Black Crappie** 2.1 lbs / 14 inches Your First Name * Where Did You Catch It? Species * Select species... Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass Crappie Catfish Bluegill Trout Other Weight / Length / Details Tell Us About It * (200 chars max) Submit Catch Cast Them *Cold...* Your favorite post-fishing spots. Where do you go when the rods are stowed? Lisa Hard cider after a Croft State Park fishing trip with the kids. They have a play area so the kids stay busy while you decompress. The Everyday cider is crisp and perfect for warm weather. **Ciclops Cyderi and Brewery** — Everyday Cider Chris Best burger in Spartanburg after a float trip on the Tyger. Sweet tea and a cheeseburger is all you need when you have been on the water since sunrise. **Ikes Korner Grill** — Sweet Tea Jake Nothing beats a Bell Ringer Brown Ale after a morning on Lake Bowen. The taproom is right off Main Street and they have a patio that is perfect for telling fish stories. **RJ Rockers Brewing** — Bell Ringer Brown Ale Your First Name * Bar / Restaurant Name * Go-To Drink Why This Spot? * (200 chars max) Submit Pick Coverage Fishing News *HERE* Presented by [SCDNR Fisheries](https://www.dnr.sc.gov/fishing.html) South Carolina Department of Natural Resources [Become a Sponsor](/section-sponsorship/?section=fishing) Local — Rock Hill and Piedmont Coming Soon Local Rock Hill Fishing Coverage Coming Soon Local lake reports, stocking news, tournament results, and Piedmont fishing coverage from the HERERockHill newsroom. National — Bass, Fishing Regulations, and Conservation Coming Soon National National Fishing Coverage Coming Soon Bass fishing news, conservation legislation, national tournament results, gear reviews, and fishing stories with a Rock Hill perspective. More at Outdoor Sports Hunting, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for Rock Hill and Piedmont SC [See All at Outdoor Sports](/outdoor-sports/) Partner [Spartanburg Water](https://www.spartanburgwater.org) Lake Bowen & Lake Blalock Boating Permits [Advertise Here](/section-sponsorship/) Tackle, Rods and Reels Essential *Gear HERE* Gear reviews and picks for the Rock Hill angler — rods, reels, tackle, and kayaks tested for Piedmont SC waters. Presented by [Bass Pro Shops](https://www.basspro.com) Your adventure starts here. Fishing, boating, and outdoor gear. [Become a Sponsor](/section-sponsorship/?section=fishing) Gear Reviews — Tested for Piedmont SC Waters Shimano Stradic FL 2500 Spinning Reel The benchmark mid-range spinning reel. Silky smooth MicroModule Gear II, Hagane body eliminates flex under load, and X-Ship keeps the spool stable for long casts. Handles 6-pound test for crappie finesse and 10-pound for bass. IPX8 waterproof. Waterproof MicroModule Gear Hagane Body ★★★★☆ 4.8 / 5 $229 Best for: All-around Spartanburg lake fishing — crappie to bass St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod 6'6" Spinning Rod Medium power, fast action blank that handles everything from crappie jigs to bass plastics. IPC ferrule connection. Cork and premium EVA handle. Lifetime warranty from a family-owned American rod builder. American Made Lifetime Warranty Cork Handle ★★★★☆ 4.6 / 5 $130 Best for: Dock shooting crappie and pitching bass plastics Abu Garcia Revo Beast 41 Baitcaster Baitcasting Reel Low-profile baitcaster built for power fishing around heavy cover. 7.3:1 gear ratio burns spinnerbaits and pulls fish out of dock pilings. D2 Gear Design and IVCB-4 braking system. Handles 30-pound braid. High Speed Power Fishing 30lb Braid ★★★★☆ 4.5 / 5 $179 Best for: Bass fishing around docks and brush piles Old Town Topwater 106 Kayak Fishing Kayak Sit-on-top fishing kayak purpose-built for anglers. 33.5 inches wide for standing stability. Flush-mount rod holders, open deck, transducer-ready scupper. Under 57 pounds for solo car-topping. Electric motor compatible. Stand-Up Stable Motor Ready 57 lbs ★★★★☆ 4.7 / 5 $1,099 Best for: Lake Cooley, Lake Craig, Lake Edwin Johnson — no gas motor lakes Berkley PowerBait Power Worm 7" Soft Plastic Bait The most proven bass bait in freshwater. PowerBait scent formula triggers 21x more bites and 18x longer hold times. Texas rig on a 3/0 EWG hook. Watermelon seed is the year-round color. Scent Formula 21x More Bites Proven ★★★★☆ 4.5 / 5 $6.99/bag Best for: Texas rig bass fishing on Lake Bowen and Lake Craig Strike King Crappie Hunter Jig 1/16oz Crappie Jig Needle-point hook, hand-tied collar, and premium skirt material. The 1/16oz is the sweet spot for tight-line trolling ledges at 8-20 feet. Albino shad color matches the forage on Cooley, Lyman, and Bowen. Hand Tied Needle Point Albino Shad ★★★★☆ 4.7 / 5 $4.99/pack Best for: Tight-line trolling crappie on county lakes Tackle Shop, Guide Service, or Marina? Get featured in the Essential Gear section and reach active anglers across the HERE City Network — 100+ cities. [Learn About Gear Advertising](/contact/) South Carolina DNR *Regulations* License requirements, bag limits, and size limits for York County waters. Always verify current regulations at dnr.sc.gov. SC Fishing Licenses SC Resident Annual Age 16+ required to fish all public waters $10.00 SC Resident Senior (65+) Reduced rate for SC residents age 65 and over $5.00 Non-Resident Annual Required for all non-SC residents age 16+ $35.00 Non-Resident 3-Day Short-term license for visiting anglers $11.00 Free Fishing Days May 25 (Memorial Weekend) and July 4 — no license required FREE Boating Permit (Lakes) Rock Hill Water / SJWD permit required for Lake Bowen, Blalock, Cooley, Lyman Varies Bag & Size Limits — Rock Hill Waters Largemouth Bass 5 combined black bass **Min Size:**No statewide minimum; 14" on Lake Blalock and select lakes Per eRegulations. Combined limit includes smallmouth, redeye, spotted. Smallmouth Bass See black bass limit **Min Size:**12" minimum statewide Per SC Code 50-13-210. Pacolet and Tyger rivers included in 5-fish combined. Crappie (Black & White) 20 per day **Min Size:**8" minimum statewide Per SC Code 50-13-220. 8-inch size limit effective 2012. Blue Catfish 25 per day **Min Size:**Only 2 fish over 32" per person Per eRegulations. Lake Edwin Johnson: 3 catfish creel limit. Bluegill / Bream 30 per day statewide **Min Size:**No minimum Per eRegulations. Lake Edwin Johnson: 10 bream creel limit. Redbreast sunfish: 15/day separately. Trout (all species) 5 per day trout season **Min Size:**No minimum (stocked) Stocking schedule posted by each season Special Rules & Alerts for Rock Hill Waters - **Lake Bowen & Blalock:** Boating permit required from Rock Hill Water. Gas motor HP restrictions — check current Rock Hill Water rules before launching. - **Lake Blalock Special:** 14-inch minimum size for black bass. 5 combined black bass daily limit. Check closure status after Hurricane Helene impacts. - **Lake Craig & Edwin Johnson:** No gasoline engines — electric trolling motors only. Lake Edwin Johnson also enforces creel limits: 10 bream, 3 bass, 3 catfish. - **Free Fishing Days 2026:** May 25 (Memorial Day weekend) and July 4 — no fishing license required on these two days. - **Rivers (Pacolet, Tyger, Lawson's Fork):** Statewide creel limits apply. No boating permits required. fishing license required for anglers 16+. Regulations shown are for general reference. Always verify current rules with the SC Department of Natural Resources at **dnr.sc.gov** or by calling the Wildlife Helpline. Regulations may change each season. Municipal reservoir rules (Rock Hill Water, SJWD) are set separately from . Spawn Timing & Key Dates Season *Calendar* Feb 15 - Mar 15 Water temps 50-58°F. Bass staging on secondary points and creek channels. Mar 15 - Apr 30 Crappie move shallow to brush and docks. Best bite of the year on all 4 county lakes. Apr 1 - May 15 Largemouth on beds in 2-6 ft. Sight fishing productive on clear lakes like Cooley. Apr - May Stocked streams within driving distance of Spartanburg. Check SCDNR schedule. May 1 - Jun 30 Crickets and small poppers around shallow gravel. Peak family fishing period. May 25 SC residents can fish freshwater without a license. All other regs apply. Jun 1 - Aug 31 Channel cats active on cut bait and chicken liver. Night fishing productive. Jul 4 SC residents can fish freshwater without a license. All other regs apply. Sep 1 - Oct 31 Cooling water triggers shad movement. Follow the baitfish to find bass. Oct 15 - Nov 30 Crappie school on main-lake points and channel ledges. Second-best bite of the year. Nov - Feb Slow presentations on deep ledges and channel breaks. Jerkbaits and jigs. Year-Round River bass fishable all 12 months. Peak March-June, good Oct-Nov. Spawn timing is approximate and based on typical York County water temperature patterns. Actual timing varies by year and water body. trout stocking schedules are published annually — visit dnr.sc.gov for exact dates and stocking locations. Competition Tournament *Calendar* Upcoming fishing tournaments and events across York County waters. LOCAL Apr 26, 2026 Lake Bowen Spring Bass Classic Spartanburg Water permit required. 5-fish limit, 14-inch minimum. LOCAL May 10, 2026 Crappie Slam — Lake Cooley SJWD permit required. 15-fish limit, longest fish wins tiebreaker. STATEWIDE May 25, 2026 FREE Fishing Day — Memorial Day No SC license required for residents. All bag/size limits still apply. LOCAL Jun 14, 2026 Pacolet River Kayak Bass Tournament Catch-photo-release format. Kayak/canoe only. Launch at Glendale Shoals. STATEWIDE Jul 4, 2026 FREE Fishing Day — Independence Day No SC license required for residents. All bag/size limits still apply. LOCAL Sep 6, 2026 Lake Blalock Fall Classic Spartanburg Water permit required. 5-fish limit, 14-inch minimum. Fish and Stay Stay & *Play* Fishing getaways within driving distance of Rock Hill and partner destinations across the HERE City Network. Regional — Within Driving Distance Croft State Park Campground Spartanburg, SC 50 campsites with water and electric hookups on 7,000 wooded acres. Fish Lake Craig by day, campfire by night. Boat and kayak rentals on-site. [Learn More →](https://southcarolinaparks.com/croft-state-park) Lake Lure Inn & Spa Lake Lure, NC — 1 hr from Spartanburg Boutique lakefront resort on Lake Lure. Guided fishing trips, boat rentals, and mountain trout streams within 30 minutes. Full-service spa after a day on the water. [Learn More →](https://www.lakelure.com) Devils Fork State Park Lake Jocassee, SC — 1.5 hrs from Spartanburg The only public access to Lake Jocassee — world-class brown and rainbow trout fishing. Lakeside villas and waterfront campsites. Some of the clearest water in the Southeast. [Learn More →](https://southcarolinaparks.com/devils-fork) National — HERE City Network Partners Owl's Nest Resort Thornton, NH New England fly fishing and golf resort with private river access. Brown and brook trout. HERE City Network partner property. [Learn More →](https://www.owlsnestresort.com) Rough Creek Lodge Glen Rose, TX Luxury sporting resort with private bass fishing lakes, guided trips, and five-star dining. 90 minutes from Dallas. [Learn More →](https://www.roughcreek.com) Resort, Lodge, or Campground? Get featured in the Stay & Play section and reach active anglers across the HERE City Network. [Learn About Stay & Play Advertising](/contact/) Questions and Answers Fishing *FAQ* Common questions about fishing in the Rock Hill area, answered. - Do I need a fishing license to fish in Rock Hill SC? Yes. All anglers age 16 and older need a SC fishing license to fish public waters in York County. SC residents pay $10 for an annual freshwater license. Non-residents pay $35 annually or $11 for a 3-day license. Licenses are available at .sc.gov or at local sporting goods and tackle shops. Two Free Fishing Days — May 25 (Memorial weekend) and July 4 — require no license. - What are the best fishing lakes near Rock Hill SC? York County has four public fishing lakes. Lake Bowen (1,534 acres) near Inman is the largest and best for largemouth bass and crappie. Lake Blalock (1,200 acres) near Chesnee is excellent for crappie around the bridge pilings and Buck's Creek. Lake Cooley (330 acres) is the clearest and holds the county's biggest crappie. Lake Lyman (500 acres) produces high numbers of smaller crappie. Lake Craig and Lake Edwin Johnson offer peaceful fishing with electric motors only. All municipal lakes require a boating permit from Rock Hill Water or SJWD. - When is the best time to fish for crappie in Rock Hill? The best crappie fishing in York County is during the spring spawn, which typically runs from late March through April when water temperatures reach 55–65°F. Fish move into shallower water (2–6 feet) around structure, brush piles, and bridge pilings. Lake Cooley is the top pick for big crappie during the spawn. Lake Blalock's bridge area and stump flats near the dam are also productive. A second run occurs in fall (October-November) when fish stage deeper at 12-18 feet as water cools. - Can you kayak fish on York County lakes? Yes — kayak fishing is well-suited for Rock Hill lakes, especially the smaller electric-only lakes. Lake Craig at Croft State Park offers kayak and canoe rentals ($5 for 2 hours) — you can bring your own or rent on-site with no boating permit required for human-powered craft. The Pacolet River and Tyger River system are excellent for kayak fishing — both offer scenic float trips combining paddling and bass fishing. The Pacolet River Blueway (50+ miles) includes multiple put-in and take-out points. Electric-only rules at Lake Edwin Johnson also make it kayak-ideal. - What species can I catch in the Pacolet and Tyger Rivers? The Pacolet River is Rock Hill's best-kept secret — a diverse bass fishery with largemouth, smallmouth, spotted bass, and rock bass in rocky shoals. Catfish (channel, blue, and flathead) are abundant. The Tyger River system features smallmouth bass introduced by , Alabama bass, Bartram's bass, largemouth, and various sunfish. Both rivers offer excellent catch-and-release bass fishing exceeding 18 inches. Fly fishing for bass on subsurface patterns is particularly productive on the Pacolet near Glendale Shoals. Access multiple road crossings for wade fishing or run float trips by kayak. - Do Rock Hill lakes get trout stocked? stocks select York County waters with trout, typically in spring and fall when water temperatures are suitable. Stocking locations and schedules are posted annually on the website at dnr.sc.gov — search for the freshwater trout stocking report. The standard trout bag limit is 5 per day during stocking season. Check the current schedule for specific lakes and streams stocked near Rock Hill. Lake Edwin Johnson (managed by ) has historically received stocking — verify current status with . HERERock Hill Rock Hill SC Fishing Report — live conditions, water body profiles, solunar ratings, species status, and community coverage. Part of the HERE City Network. 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