--- title: "Rock Hill Fishing" url: https://www.hererockhill.com/fishing-rock-hill-sc/ date: 2026-05-13T09:20:13+00:00 modified: 2026-05-13T09:20:13+00:00 author: "" site: "HERE Rock Hill" attribution: "HERE Rock Hill" --- # Rock Hill Fishing *Source: [HERE Rock Hill](https://www.hererockhill.com/fishing-rock-hill-sc/) — May 13, 2026 by * Latest [Business Spotlight: Real Internet Sales Helps Rock Hill Brands Win the AI Search Era](https://www.hererockhill.com/2026/05/13/real-internet-sales-spotlight-rock-hill/) ROCK HILL, SC · YORK COUNTY / CHARLOTTE METRO EDITION · WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2026 [BUSINESS DIRECTORY](/business-directory-rock-hill-sc/) | [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 — York County / Charlotte Metro Edition](https://www.hererockhill.com/) - [Business](/business-rock-hill-sc/) - [Public Safety](/public-safety-rock-hill-sc/) - [Sports](/sports-rock-hill-sc/) - [Politics](/politics-rock-hill-sc/) - [Neighborhoods](/neighborhoods-rock-hill-sc/) - [Living](/living-rock-hill-sc/) - [Events](/events-rock-hill-sc/) - [Announcements](/announcements-rock-hill-sc/) - [About](/about/) - - [Advertise — HERE City](https://www.herecity.com/advertise/) - [Submit a Tip](/submit-a-tip/) - [BUSINESS](/business-rock-hill-sc/) - [PUBLIC SAFETY](/public-safety-rock-hill-sc/) [Crime](/crime-rock-hill-sc/) - [Traffic](/traffic-rock-hill-sc/) [POLITICS](/politics-rock-hill-sc/) [SPORTS](/sports-rock-hill-sc/) - [Game Day](/game-day-rock-hill-sc/) - [Game Week](/game-week-rock-hill-sc/) - [HS + NIL](/high-school-rock-hill-sc/) - [Fishing](/fishing-rock-hill-sc/) - [Hunting](/hunting-rock-hill-sc/) - [Golf](/golf-rock-hill-sc/) [NEIGHBORHOODS](/neighborhoods-rock-hill-sc/) [EVENTS](/events-rock-hill-sc/) [LIVING](/living-rock-hill-sc/) - [Add Your Business](/add-business/) - [Almanac](/almanac-rock-hill-sc/) - [Technology](/technology-rock-hill-sc/) - [Health & Wellness](/health-rock-hill-sc/) - [Home & Garden](/home-garden-rock-hill-sc/) - [Education HERE](/education-rock-hill-sc/) [ANNOUNCEMENTS](/announcements-rock-hill-sc/) - [Obituaries](/obituaries-rock-hill-sc/) - [Order an Obituary](/obituaries/) - [Wedding Announcements](/weddings-rock-hill-sc/) - [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/) Latest [Business Spotlight: Real Internet Sales Helps Rock Hill Brands Win the AI Search Era](https://www.hererockhill.com/2026/05/13/real-internet-sales-spotlight-rock-hill/) • [Understanding SC Property Taxes — A Straight-Talk Guide for Buyers](https://www.hererockhill.com/2026/05/13/south-carolina-property-taxes-guide/) • [Moving to Rock Hill SC — The Relocation Checklist You Need](https://www.hererockhill.com/2026/05/13/moving-to-rock-hill-sc-checklist/) • [Best Neighborhoods for Families in Rock Hill SC — Ranked by Schools and Safety](https://www.hererockhill.com/2026/05/13/best-neighborhoods-families-rock-hill-sc/) • [Renting vs. Buying in Rock Hill Right Now — What the Numbers Say](https://www.hererockhill.com/2026/05/13/renting-vs-buying-rock-hill-sc/) • [Business Spotlight: Real Internet Sales Helps Rock Hill Brands Win the AI Search Era](https://www.hererockhill.com/2026/05/13/real-internet-sales-spotlight-rock-hill/) • [Understanding SC Property Taxes — A Straight-Talk Guide for Buyers](https://www.hererockhill.com/2026/05/13/south-carolina-property-taxes-guide/) • [Moving to Rock Hill SC — The Relocation Checklist You Need](https://www.hererockhill.com/2026/05/13/moving-to-rock-hill-sc-checklist/) • [Best Neighborhoods for Families in Rock Hill SC — Ranked by Schools and Safety](https://www.hererockhill.com/2026/05/13/best-neighborhoods-families-rock-hill-sc/) • [Renting vs. Buying in Rock Hill Right Now — What the Numbers Say](https://www.hererockhill.com/2026/05/13/renting-vs-buying-rock-hill-sc/) • HERE Rock Hill # Rock HillFishingReport 2026 Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, {{DNR}} regulations, and community fishing coverage for York County lakes and rivers. Bass: Hot Bite Crappie: Spawning Catfish: Hot 9 Waters Profiled **9** Waters Profiled **Live** Conditions **Solunar** Rating **2026** Season First Look • Fishing Conditions 🌘 Waning Crescent Illumination: 40% Air Temp 68°F Est. Water 68°F Wind 6 mph Pressure 1016 Very Good — decreasing moon builds toward new moon peak. Dawn and dusk feeding surges expected. 95 EXCELLENT Excellent bite conditions. Get on the water at first light. York County • York County / Charlotte Metro 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 HERE Rock Hill 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 HOT Catfish are highly active in warm water. Night fishing from bank is excellent — cut shad and chicken liver. **Top Bait**Cut Shad, Chicken Liver, Prepared Stink Bait **Depth**Channel edges, 10-30 ft Bluegill / Bream HOT Bluegill on the bed — largest fish of the year on spawning colonies in 1-4 ft gravel flats. Cricket fishing is magic. **Top Bait**Cricket, Worm, Small Jig (1/32 oz) **Depth**Spawning: 1-4 ft. Non-spawn: dock edges 4-10 ft Trout SLOW No summer trout stocking. Trout season paused — check for next stocking dates. **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 {{DNR}} 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 First Look Weather & *Fishing Conditions* 68F Partly Cloudy Feels like 65°F Wind 6 mph SSW Humidity 62% Pressure 1016 hPa Est. Water Temp 68°F Moon Waning Crescent 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° 7 mph wind • 64% humidity EXCELLENT TUE Partly Cloudy 73° / 55° 3 mph wind • 63% humidity EXCELLENT WED Light Rain 65° / 48° 7 mph wind • 62% humidity EXCELLENT THU Clear & Cool 62° / 45° 8 mph wind • 50% humidity EXCELLENT FRI Mostly Cloudy 75° / 57° 4 mph wind • 50% 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 Wylie 13,400 Duke Energy Reservoir Lake Wylie / Tega Cay / York County, SC Largemouth Bass Spotted Bass Striped Bass Hybrid Bass Crappie Catfish Bluegill Lake Wylie is a 13,400-acre Duke Energy impoundment of the Catawba River straddling the SC–NC line. The York County side anchors year-round fishing pressure for largemouth, spotted bass, and a robust striped bass population. Submerged timber, brush piles, and 325 miles of shoreline produce consistent action. The Big Allison Creek arm and South Fork are reliable bass producers; the main lake near Buster Boyd holds stripers in summer. Ebenezer Park (York County) boat ramp off Cherry Road in Rock Hill. Additional public ramps at Buster Boyd, South Point, and Allison Creek. SC fishing license required. Angler Tip Throw topwater walking baits at dawn near rocky points in summer for spotted bass. Live shad fished 25-35 feet down over main-lake humps catches stripers June through September. Field Guide Coming Soon Catawba River (below Lake Wylie Dam) Tailrace fishery Tailrace River Catawba / Fort Mill, SC Striped Bass Largemouth Bass Catfish Bream White Bass The Catawba River tailrace below the Lake Wylie Dam is one of the Carolinas' most productive striped bass fisheries. Cool, oxygenated water flowing through York County draws stripers, white bass, and trophy catfish year-round. Bank access from the South Carolina side near the Highway 49 bridge and at the Landsford Canal State Park downstream. Landsford Canal State Park (south end). Highway 49 bridge access. Wade and bank fishing legal; some sections boat-only when water is generating. Angler Tip When Duke Energy is generating, drift cut bait through the seams just below the dam for stripers. Check the Duke generation schedule before any wade trip — flows can rise fast. Field Guide Coming Soon Fishing Creek Reservoir 3,370 Duke Energy Reservoir Great Falls / York-Chester County line, SC Largemouth Bass Spotted Bass Crappie Catfish White Bass Fishing Creek Reservoir is the next Catawba River impoundment downstream of Lake Wylie. Less developed than Wylie, it offers quieter water and excellent crappie fishing around standing timber and brushpiles. Bass anglers work the rocky points and creek mouths. The lake feeds the Great Falls hydro complex. Duke Energy public access at Fishing Creek Dam. SC fishing license required. Angler Tip Spider-rig minnows over brushpiles in 12-18 feet for slab crappie in March and April. Bass key on rocky points with crankbaits in late spring. Field Guide Coming Soon Lake Haigler 120 City Park Pond Andrew Jackson State Park / Lancaster-York border Largemouth Bass Bluegill Catfish Redear Sunfish A 120-acre lake inside Andrew Jackson State Park, just south of the York County line. Family-friendly bank fishing, jon-boat rentals, and a stocked bluegill population make it an ideal kids-and-grandkids lake. Bass to 5 pounds caught regularly from shoreline. Andrew Jackson State Park, US-521 south of Lancaster. Park entrance fee. Jon boats rent on-site; no gas motors. Angler Tip Live crickets under a small float along the lily pads produce bluegill all summer. Topwater frogs over pads at dusk for bass. Field Guide Coming Soon Manchester Creek (Cherry Park) Small urban creek Urban Park Stream Cherry Park, Rock Hill, SC Bluegill Bass Catfish (small) A walkable urban creek and small impoundment inside Cherry Park near downtown Rock Hill. Perfect first-fish destination for kids — manageable bank access, walking paths, and shaded benches. Bluegill numbers are strong; occasional bass. Cherry Park, Cherry Road, Rock Hill. Free parking. No boats. Angler Tip Worm and bobber rig 18 inches deep along the bank. Bring a bucket — bluegill come fast on summer evenings. Field Guide Coming Soon Hidden Lakes 45 Private Pay-Lake / York County York County, SC Catfish Largemouth Bass Bream A small York County pay-lake offering stocked catfish and bass. Family-friendly with picnic tables and shaded fishing piers. Daily-fee fishing — no SC license required when fishing on a permitted private pay-lake. Daily fee. Open seasonally, check Facebook for hours. Angler Tip Chicken liver on a circle hook fished 4 feet deep along the dam produces channel cats all day. Field Guide Coming Soon Sunset Park Pond (Tega Cay) 8 City Park Pond Tega Cay, SC Bluegill Largemouth Bass Catfish A small stocked pond inside Sunset Park in Tega Cay, just off the Lake Wylie shoreline. Excellent first-fish water with sidewalk access around the entire perimeter. City-managed. Sunset Park, Tega Cay. Free, daylight hours. Angler Tip Inline spinners along the dam for bass. Bluegill take crickets under the willow at the north end. Field Guide Coming Soon Allison Creek (Lake Wylie tributary) Tributary arm Reservoir Arm York County, SC Largemouth Bass Crappie Catfish Allison Creek is the largest York County tributary feeding Lake Wylie. The protected arm holds bass, crappie, and bream in the backs of pockets year-round. Less wind-blown than the main lake — good fall and early-spring fishing. Allison Creek Boat Ramp (Duke Energy public ramp). Hands-down the best York County Wylie launch for the upper lake. Angler Tip Skip soft jerkbaits under boat docks in the spring pre-spawn. Live shiners near submerged stumps in fall. Field Guide Coming Soon Crowders Creek (Clover area) Tributary Tributary Creek Clover / York County, SC Bream Bass Catfish Crowders Creek drains the Crowders Mountain area into Lake Wylie. The lower York County reach offers walk-in bank fishing, especially at road crossings. Quiet, scenic, and overlooked. Public road-crossing bank access on multiple county roads. Respect adjacent private land. Angler Tip Inline spinners and small crankbaits worked through the deeper bends produce bass and a mix of panfish. 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* 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. 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? Your First Name * Bar / Restaurant Name * Go-To Drink Why This Spot? * (200 chars max) Submit Pick Coverage Fishing News *HERE* Presented by [Become a Sponsor](/section-sponsorship/?section=fishing) Local — Rock Hill and York County / Charlotte Metro Coming Soon Local Rock Hill Fishing Coverage Coming Soon Local lake reports, stocking news, tournament results, and York County / Charlotte Metro fishing coverage from the HERE Rock Hill 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 York County / Charlotte Metro SC [See All at Outdoor Sports](/outdoor-sports/) Partner [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 York County / Charlotte Metro SC waters. Presented by [Become a Sponsor](/section-sponsorship/?section=fishing) Gear Reviews — Tested for York County / Charlotte Metro 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 {{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 {{DNR}} 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. {{DNR}} 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 {{DNR}} Wildlife Helpline. Regulations may change each season. Municipal reservoir rules (Rock Hill Water, SJWD) are set separately from {{DNR}}. 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. {{DNR}} 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. Bass April 12, 2026 Lake Wylie Spring Open Ebenezer Park ramp, Rock Hill — York County Anglers Club Striper May 17, 2026 Catawba River Striper Classic Below Lake Wylie Dam, Fort Mill side Bass June 14, 2026 Tega Cay Bass Charity Open Sunset Park launch, Tega Cay Catfish July 26, 2026 Fishing Creek Catfish Tournament Great Falls area Bass September 13, 2026 Lake Wylie Fall Classic Buster Boyd ramp Family October 18, 2026 Rock Hill Kids Fishing Day Cherry Park — free, ages 15 and under, bait provided 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 Ebenezer Park Campground Rock Hill, SC York County waterfront park on Lake Wylie. 67 campsites with full hookups, public boat ramp on-site, and a fishing pier. Walk-to-fish convenience for Lake Wylie anglers. [Learn More →](https://www.yorkcountygov.com/Facilities/Facility/Details/Ebenezer-Park-19) Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SC 2,100-acre nature preserve with lake fishing (Lake Haigler and the Greenway lakes), trail-side cabins, and a campground. Family-friendly first-fish water for visitors. [Learn More →](https://www.ascgreenway.org/) Andrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, SC — 30 min from Rock Hill Lake Haigler bank and jon-boat fishing, plus tent and RV camping. Stocked bream and bass, kid-friendly bank access, jon boats rent on-site. [Learn More →](https://southcarolinaparks.com/andrew-jackson) 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 Texas Hill Country cuisine. HERE City Network partner property. [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 {{DNR}}.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 {{DNR}}, 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? {{DNR}} 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 {{DNR}} 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 {{DNR}} schedule for specific lakes and streams stocked near Rock Hill. Lake Edwin Johnson (managed by {{DNR}}) has historically received stocking — verify current status with {{DNR}}. 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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