LAKE MONTICELLO

Lake Monticello covers about 6,700 acres in Fairfield County and is unlike most South Carolina reservoirs because it operates as an active pumped-storage lake. Water movement and changing levels can influence both fishing and boating conditions from one part of the day to another. Largemouth bass, black and white crappie, blue, channel and white catfish, white bass, bream and shad give anglers a broad mix of species, while the lake is especially well known for large blue catfish. Monticello’s clear water, steep structure, points, humps and deep basin create a fishery where electronics, current and forage position can matter as much as season. Public recreation is managed around operating restrictions, so trip planning should include current Dominion information as well as fishing conditions.