Greenville County maintains several excellent headwater streams for
those willing to hike into remote back country. West of US Highway 276 near the community of Caesars Head is Matthews Creek, a small stream that plunges over the magnificent Raven Cliff Falls near Caesars Head State Park. Matthews Creek harbors one of South Carolinas best wild rainbow trout populations, providing some fine fishing for the angler who likes both good sport and seclusion. Access to upper Matthews Creek (above falls) is by foot from the overlook parking area above Caesars Head Park on US 276. Hike-in access to the area below the falls is available by foot from a parking area at Asbury Hills Camp during spring, fall and winter. No public access is allowed during camp sessions (June through August). In addition, east of US 276, Oil Camp, Falls, Headforemost and Gap creeks offer other wild trout fishing options in Greenville County. The South Pacolet River, on Chestnut Ridge Heritage Preserve, is also stocked with catchable trout prior to the spring. Please note that these streams and both reservoirs in the Greenville Watershed, including Table Rock and North Saluda (Poinsett), are closed to trout fishing.
LAKE JOCASSEE
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One of South Carolinas best-known trout resources is Lake Jocassee, a
7,500 acre Duke Energy reservoir located in the states northwestern corner in Oconee and Pickens counties. The second highest dam in the eastern United States, the 385 foot wall backs the reservoir into the gorges and coves of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Reaching elevations as high as 3,000 feet, the mountains surrounding the lake are part of a protected watershed managed by SCDNR and Duke Energy. SCDNR biologists first began managing Lake Jocassee as a trout fishery in 1972. Since that time, a very popular trout fishery has developed with quality size rainbow and brown trout being routinely caught. The average rainbow trout caught in Lake Jocassee weighs almost 3 pounds with the average brown trout weighing 4-5 pounds. State records for both species, 17 pounds 9.5 ounces for brown trout and 11 pounds 5 ounces for rainbow, were caught from Jocassee. Lake Jocassee also provides good fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and bream (sunfish). Lake Jocassee offers the visitor natural beauty, as well as fine fishing. While the shoreline ranges from sheer cliffs to deep coves with hidden waterfalls, forests around the lake reflect the colors of the seasons and harbor black bear, bald eagle, wild turkey and deer. The angler willing to undergo rugged hiking conditions, can choose a feeder stream, tie up his