HERE Newberry
Newberry SC
Fishing
News
Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, SCDNR regulations, and community fishing coverage for Newberry lakes and rivers.
Bass: Hot Bite Crappie: Active Catfish: Hot 4 Waters Profiled
First Look • Fishing Conditions
🌒
Waxing Crescent
Illumination: 72%
90°F
93°F
10 mph
1025
as of 5:15 PM ET
Good — increasing moonlight; fish feed actively in the morning and evening hours.
Newberry • Midlands SC
Your Local Fishing Resource
HERE Newberry is your local source for fishing reports, conditions, and SCDNR regulations across Newberry. Use the waters list to find lakes, rivers, and reservoirs near you, the regulations section for current limits, and the guides directory to book a trip.
Current Conditions • Newberry Waters
Species Status
Largemouth Bass
HOT
Fall feeding frenzy. Bass are chasing shad and blueback herring. Crankbaits and swimbaits dominate.
Top BaitCrankbait, Swimbait, Jig
Depth10-20 ft structure
Smallmouth Bass
ACTIVE
Smallmouth active on shoals. Work crawfish patterns on rocky bottom.
Top BaitTube Jig, Crawfish Pattern, Ned Rig
DepthShoal tail-outs, 3-12 ft
Crappie
ACTIVE
Pre-spawn or fall pattern. Crappie suspending over deeper structure.
Top BaitSmall Tube Jig, Live Minnow, Slip Float
Depth12-20 ft brush
Catfish
HOT
Catfish are highly active in warm water. Night fishing from bank is excellent — cut shad and chicken liver.
Top BaitCut Shad, Chicken Liver, Prepared Stink Bait
DepthChannel edges, 10-30 ft
Bluegill / Bream
ACTIVE
Bream feeding actively. Work dock edges and shallow vegetation with small jigs or live bait.
Top BaitCricket, Worm, Small Jig (1/32 oz)
DepthSpawning: 1-4 ft. Non-spawn: dock edges 4-10 ft
Trout
SLOW
No summer trout stocking. Trout season paused — check <?php echo here_dnr(); ?> for next stocking dates.
Top BaitPowerBait, Night Crawler, Inline Spinner
DepthStocked areas — designated lakes and streams
Species status is based on seasonal patterns and current conditions for Newberry waters. Always verify SCDNR regulations for creel limits, size minimums, and any current advisories before heading out.
Report a Bite Update
First Look
Weather & Fishing Conditions
90F
Clear
Feels like 89°F
as of 5:15 PM ET
Wind
10 mph ESE
Humidity
35%
Pressure
1025 hPa
Est. Water Temp
93°F
Moon
Waxing Crescent
Sunrise / Sunset
11:09 am / 11:33 pm
Location
Newberry, SC
On-the-Water Tips
- Hot air temps push fish deep. Fish 12-20 ft ledges and structure in the heat of the day. Early morning and evening are your windows.
Solunar Index
Fishing Conditions Dashboard
Air Temperature
90°F
Warm — Fish Deep
Wind Speed
10 mph
Light Breeze
Barometric Pressure
1025 hPa
Stable — Active
Moon Phase
🌒
Good
Extended Outlook
5-Day Fishing Forecast
TODAY
Sunny
87° / 63°
5 mph wind • 0% humidity
GOOD
THU
Sunny
91° / 68°
2 mph wind • 0% humidity
FAIR
FRI
Sunny
93° / 69°
2 mph wind • 0% humidity
FAIR
SAT
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
89° / 68°
3 mph wind • 0% humidity
SLOW
SUN
Mostly Sunny
90° / 69°
2 mph wind • 0% humidity
GOOD
Lakes & Rivers
Water Body Profiles
4 fishing waters within Newberry — with species, access, tips, and restrictions.
Lake Murray
Angler Tip
Saluda River
Angler Tip
Enoree River
Angler Tip
Sumter National Forest
Angler Tip
Did We Miss a Spot?
Know a Newberry-area fishing lake, pond, or river stretch that should be on this list? Let us know.
Report a Fishing SpotLocal Experts
Field Guides
Hire a local fishing guide and put your line on the right water in Newberry. Expert captains who know Newberry waters.
CP
Cliff Pitts
Veteran Lake Wylie guide specializing in striped bass and crappie.
Lake Wylie
Catawba River
Guide Service or Charter Captain?
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Community
Here We...
Reel Them In...
Big catches, personal bests, and tournament fish from Newberry anglers.
Cast Them Cold...
Your favorite post-fishing spots. Where do you go when the rods are stowed?
Coverage
Fishing News HERE
Local — Newberry and Midlands
Local
SC September fishing outlook: coast heats up, lakes turn
September marks the swing month for South Carolina anglers, when the water begins to cool from its late-summer peak, bait clouds concentrate...
Sep 12, 2026
Local
SC shrimp baiting season opens with 60-day window
South Carolina's recreational shrimp baiting season opened at noon Friday, Sept. 11, giving licensed shrimpers along the entire coast — from Beaufort...
Sep 12, 2026
Local
Louisiana draws down six waters this fall to slow salvinia
Louisiana wildlife officials are lowering five lakes and one complex this fall to slow giant salvinia; drawdown windows are now set.
Sep 9, 2026
Local
Lackawanna Lake drawdown starts as dam rehabilitation begins
A drawdown of 198-acre Lackawanna Lake began this week as construction starts on the 69-foot dam and fishing rules have been eased.
Sep 9, 2026
National — Bass, Fishing Regulations, and Conservation
National
Michigan launches Great Lakes whitefish rescue this fall
Michigan will collect spawning Great Lakes whitefish this fall backed by $350,000 in state funding and Great Lakes Fishery Trust dollars.
Sep 9, 2026
National
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife recaps June regulation amendments
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife published a recap of administrative regulations that took effect in June 2026, including Otter Creek changes.
Sep 9, 2026
National
West Virginia blue catfish weight record set at 72.75 pounds
WVDNR certified a new state weight record for blue catfish at 72.75 pounds and 48.15 inches, caught on the Ohio River in Jackson County.
Sep 9, 2026
National
Oregon yelloweye rockfish fishery to reopen after 25 years
Oregon commercial fleets can keep yelloweye rockfish in 2027 for the first time since 2002 under a small allowable landing.
Sep 9, 2026
More at Outdoor Sports
Hunting, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for Newberry and Midlands SC
Tackle, Rods and Reels
Essential Gear HERE
Gear reviews and picks for the Newberry angler — rods, reels, tackle, and kayaks tested for Midlands SC waters.
Gear Reviews — Tested for Midlands SC Waters
As an Amazon Associate, HERE earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability subject to change.
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Learn About Gear AdvertisingSouth Carolina DNR
SCDNR Regulations
License requirements, bag limits, and size limits for Newberry waters. Always verify current regulations at dnr.sc.gov.
SC Fishing Licenses
Bag & Size Limits — Newberry Waters
Special Rules & Alerts for Newberry Waters
- Lake Bowen & Blalock: Boating permit required from Newberry Water. Gas motor HP restrictions — check current Newberry 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 SCDNR 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. SCDNR 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 SCDNR Wildlife Helpline. Regulations may change each season. Municipal reservoir rules (Newberry Water, SJWD) are set separately from SCDNR.
Spawn Timing & Key Dates
Season Calendar
Feb – Mar
Crappie Pre-Spawn Begins
Crappie begin staging near structure in 6-10 ft. Lake Cooley and Blalock bridge areas.
Late Mar – Apr
Crappie Spawn Peak
Peak spawn in shallows 2-6 ft. Lake Cooley late March through April. Best crappie fishing of the year.
Mar – May
Largemouth Bass Spawn
Bass move shallow when water reaches 60°F+. Lake Bowen docks and Blalock brush piles.
Apr – May
Bluegill / Bream Spawning
Bream spawn in gravel shallows. Easy catching near Lake Craig ramp and Edwin Johnson pier.
May (SCDNR)
Spring Trout Stocking
SCDNR stocks select Newberry area waters. Check stocking schedule at dnr.sc.gov.
May 25, 2026
Free Fishing Day — Memorial Weekend
No SC fishing license required. All public waters. Great day to introduce new anglers.
June – Aug
Summer Bass & Catfish Peak
Fish early/late for bass. Catfish bite all night in summer heat on Lake Bowen and Pacolet.
July 4, 2026
Free Fishing Day — Independence Day
No SC fishing license required. All public waters. July 4 Family Fishing Day.
Sep – Oct
Fall Bass Turnover & Feed
Lake turnover triggers aggressive bass feeding. Topwater produces in early morning on all Newberry lakes.
Oct – Nov
Fall Crappie Run
Second best crappie window. Fish deeper 12-18 ft as water cools. Lake Cooley points.
Nov (SCDNR)
Fall Trout Stocking
SCDNR fall trout stocking program. Check dnr.sc.gov for Newberry schedule.
Dec (TBD)
Tournament Season Begins
Local bass club tournaments. Check HERE Newberry for local tourney dates.
Spawn timing is approximate and based on typical Newberry water temperature patterns. Actual timing varies by year and water body. SCDNR trout stocking schedules are published annually — visit dnr.sc.gov for exact dates and stocking locations.
Questions and Answers
Fishing FAQ
Common questions about fishing in the Newberry area, answered.
-
Yes. All anglers age 16 and older need a SC fishing license to fish public waters in Newberry. 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 SCDNR.sc.gov or at local sporting goods and tackle shops. Two Free Fishing Days — May 25 (Memorial weekend) and July 4 — require no license.
-
Newberry 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 Newberry Water or SJWD.
-
The best crappie fishing in Newberry is during the spring spawn, which typically runs from late March through April when water temperatures reach 55-65 degrees 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.
-
Yes — kayak fishing is well-suited for Newberry 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.
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The Pacolet River is Newberry'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 SCDNR, 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.
-
SCDNR stocks select Newberry waters with trout, typically in spring and fall when water temperatures are suitable. Stocking locations and schedules are posted annually on the SCDNR 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 SCDNR schedule for specific lakes and streams stocked near Newberry. Lake Edwin Johnson (managed by SCDNR) has historically received stocking — verify current status with SCDNR.
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