HEREBristol
Bristol
Fishing
Report
Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, TWRA regulations, and community fishing coverage for Sullivan lakes and rivers.
Bass: Active Crappie: Active Catfish: Hot 7 Waters Profiled
First Look • Fishing Conditions
🌕
Full Moon
Illumination: 100%
77°F
82°F
10 mph
1018
as of 9:55 PM ET
Excellent — full moon is prime time for bass, crappie, and catfish. Night fishing is especially productive.
Sullivan • East Tennessee / Tri-Cities SC
Your Local Fishing Resource
HEREBristol is your local source for fishing reports, conditions, and TWRA regulations across Sullivan. 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 • Bristol Waters
Species Status
Largemouth Bass
ACTIVE
Summer pattern — fish deep structure early and late. Frog fishing on lily pads productive at dawn.
Top BaitFinesse Jig, Drop Shot
Depth15-25 ft midday
Smallmouth Bass
HOT
Prime smallmouth season on area rivers. Rocky shoals hold feeding fish.
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
HOT
Bluegill on the bed — largest fish of the year on spawning colonies in 1-4 ft gravel flats. Cricket fishing is magic.
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 Sullivan waters. Always verify TWRA regulations for creel limits, size minimums, and any current advisories before heading out.
Report a Bite Update
First Look
Weather & Fishing Conditions
77F
Mostly Cloudy
Feels like 78°F
as of 9:55 PM ET
Wind
10 mph WSW
Humidity
73%
Pressure
1018 hPa
Est. Water Temp
82°F
Moon
Full Moon
Sunrise / Sunset
10:11 am / 12:52 am
Location
Bristol, SC
On-the-Water Tips
- New and full moons are the best fishing phases. Solunar peak periods fall near sunrise and sunset — be on the water at first light.
Solunar Index
Fishing Conditions Dashboard
Air Temperature
77°F
Optimal Bite
Wind Speed
10 mph
Light Breeze
Barometric Pressure
1018 hPa
Stable — Active
Moon Phase
🌕
Prime
Extended Outlook
5-Day Fishing Forecast
TONIGHT
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
79° / 69°
5 mph wind • 0% humidity
FAIR
MON
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
89° / 70°
3 mph wind • 0% humidity
SLOW
TUE
Mostly Sunny
93° / 71°
3 mph wind • 0% humidity
FAIR
WED
Sunny
95° / 72°
3 mph wind • 0% humidity
FAIR
THU
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
97° / 71°
3 mph wind • 0% humidity
SLOW
Lakes & Rivers
Water Body Profiles
7 fishing waters within Sullivan — with species, access, tips, and restrictions.
Langley Pond
Largemouth Bass
Bluegill
Channel Catfish
Angler Tip
Boyd Pond
Largemouth Bass
Bluegill
Black Crappie
Angler Tip
Hounds Lake
Angler Tip
Holley Lake
Angler Tip
Bristol State Park (Cabin Lake)
Angler Tip
Savannah River
Striped Bass
Catfish
Largemouth Bass
Angler Tip
South Fork Edisto River
Angler Tip
Did We Miss a Spot?
Know a Bristol-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 Bristol. Expert captains who know Sullivan waters.
CP
Cliff Pitts
Veteran Lake Wylie guide specializing in striped bass and crappie.
Lake Wylie
Catawba River
Guide Service or Charter Captain?
Get listed in the Field Guides section and reach active anglers across Sullivan and the HERE City Network.
List Your Guide ServiceCommunity Reviews
I Fished Here
Share Your Trip
Fished a Bristol-area lake or river? Tell us about it in 280 characters or fewer.
Community
Here We...
Reel Them In...
Big catches, personal bests, and tournament fish from Bristol anglers.
Cast Them Cold...
Your favorite post-fishing spots. Where do you go when the rods are stowed?
Coverage
Fishing News HERE
Local — Bristol and East Tennessee / Tri-Cities
Coming Soon
Local
Bristol Fishing Coverage Coming Soon
Local lake reports, stocking news, tournament results, and East Tennessee / Tri-Cities fishing coverage from the HEREBristol 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 Bristol perspective.
More at Outdoor Sports
Hunting, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for Bristol and East Tennessee / Tri-Cities SC
Tackle, Rods and Reels
Essential Gear HERE
Gear reviews and picks for the Bristol angler — rods, reels, tackle, and kayaks tested for East Tennessee / Tri-Cities SC waters.
Gear Reviews — Tested for East Tennessee / Tri-Cities SC Waters
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Learn About Gear AdvertisingTennessee DNR
TWRA Regulations
License requirements, bag limits, and size limits for Sullivan waters. Always verify current regulations at dnr.sc.gov.
SC Fishing Licenses
Bag & Size Limits — Bristol Waters
Special Rules & Alerts for Bristol Waters
- Lake Bowen & Blalock: Boating permit required from Bristol Water. Gas motor HP restrictions — check current Bristol 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 TWRA 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. TWRA 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 TWRA Wildlife Helpline. Regulations may change each season. Municipal reservoir rules (Bristol Water, SJWD) are set separately from TWRA.
Spawn Timing & Key Dates
Season Calendar
SC DNR stocks May-June annually
SC DNR stocks November-January
Bottom fishing with cut bait
Spawn timing is approximate and based on typical Sullivan water temperature patterns. Actual timing varies by year and water body. TWRA 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 Bristol area, answered.
-
Yes. All anglers age 16 and older need a SC fishing license to fish public waters in Sullivan. 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 TWRA.sc.gov or at local sporting goods and tackle shops. Two Free Fishing Days — May 25 (Memorial weekend) and July 4 — require no license.
-
Sullivan 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 Bristol Water or SJWD.
-
The best crappie fishing in Sullivan 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 Bristol 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 Bristol'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 TWRA, 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.
-
TWRA stocks select Sullivan waters with trout, typically in spring and fall when water temperatures are suitable. Stocking locations and schedules are posted annually on the TWRA 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 TWRA schedule for specific lakes and streams stocked near Bristol. Lake Edwin Johnson (managed by TWRA) has historically received stocking — verify current status with TWRA.
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