Five of South Carolina's counties-Sumter, Orangeburg, Calhoun, Berkeley, and Clarendon-are bordered by Lake Marion, the largest lake in the state. It is also one of the top 50 lakes in the country, with a shoreline spanning 315 miles (507 km) and a total area of around 110,000 acres (45 sq. Km). It was first produced in November 1941, when the Santee Dam was being built. General Francis Marion of the American Revolutionary War is honored by the lake's name. The Santee River, Wyboo Creek, and the Eutaw Spring are some of the streams that feed the lake.

Students, religious organizations, and rowing teams frequently camp here because of the pleasant weather in the summer and early spring. A well-liked recreation area is the Santee State Park, which is located on the western shore of the lake. One of the most popular pastimes in this area is fishing, and the lake is home to the largemouth bass that set the state record with a weight of 16.2 lbs (7.35 kg). The Santee State Park offers boating, and visitors can use the public boat ramps there to access Lake Marion.

The Santee State Park grounds also offer opportunities for camping, hiking, and bird watching. The Santee National Wildlife Refuge, which is close to the lake, allows visitors to enjoy viewing a variety of animals, including deer, squirrels, turtles, and foxes, as well as birds like ospreys, egrets, and eagles.

Location: Situated within the bounds of five counties: Sumter, Orangeburg, Calhoun, Berkeley, and Clarendon

Because of its sparkling waters and stunning splendor, Lake Murray, which has a shoreline of approximately 650 miles (1050 km), and an area of roughly 50,000 acres (200 square kilometers), is referred to as the "Jewel of South Carolina." Lake Murray receives its water from the Saluda River, which originates in upstate South Carolina close to the border with North Carolina. It was the world's largest man-made reservoir when it was finished, and it bears William S. Murray's name, the Saluda Dam project's principal engineer. The lake is well-known for fishing and boating. In addition, a variety of recreational activities are hosted in the Dreher Island State Recreation Area on its western edges.

When the water levels are good throughout the year, fishing is possible here from sunrise to night. On holidays including New Year's, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, as well as the second Tuesday of the month, fishing remains prohibited. Although swimming is prohibited in the lake, visitors can cool off at nearby beaches like Marina Beach, Martins Landing Beach, and Sunset Beach. The other options include walking, jogging, rollerblading, bicycling, and picnicking. There are roughly 64 picnic tables and 10 barbecues nearby.

Dogs are allowed, but they must remain 50 feet away from the lake, according to the officials. However, their boarding of vessels is prohibited.

Location: Lexington / Newberry / Saluda / Richland counties

The depth of Lake Jocassee, which covers roughly 7500 acres (30 square kilometers), is about 300 feet (91 m). It is located in South Carolina's northwest. The name of the lake, Jocassee, which translates to "The Place of a Lost One," is connected to a Cherokee maiden's legend. As a result of a partnership between the state and Duke Power, the lake was built in 1973. The Devil's Fork State Park contains it. This lake in South Carolina is known for being the cleanest lake in the state. Divers only recently made the discovery of the lodge's ruins, which are currently 300 feet below the surface of the ocean. In the 2012 film The Hunger Games, the picturesque surroundings of the location were depicted.

For five fish species, the lake is home to the state record. In the summer, visitors can access Toxaway and Horsepasture, two of the lake's four fishing streams. Thompson and Whitewater, which can only be reached by hiking, are also good in the fall and winter.

The best pastime is boating, and one can rent a boat or even bring their own. Swimming is permitted, however there are no designated areas or other safety features like lifeguards available at the lake. Most of the other activities, including picnics, scuba diving, hiking, walking, and bird-watching, are offered in Devils Fork State Park. Dogs on leashes are permitted at the state park.

Location: Oconee / Pickens counties

The official names for this lake are Clarks Hill Lake and J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir, respectively, according to the Georgia state of the United States. It was built in 1951 as part of the J. Strom Thurmond Dam development and is located at the confluence of the Little River and Savannah River. It is currently the second-largest artificial lake in South Carolina.

Many people visit the numerous marinas, campgrounds, and parks that are close by each year. Regarding its name, there has been a lot of ambiguity and controversy. Even while it's still commonly known as Clarks Hill Lake in Georgia, the lake's current name was officially changed in 1987 to honor South Carolina politician Strom Thurmond.

Fish species include largemouth bass, striped bass, channel catfish, redbreast sunfish, bluegill, bream, and crappie are common in the lake, which offers good fishing opportunities. Six marinas and about 20 boat ramps are located there to accommodate boaters' requirements.

In the campgrounds and recreational areas that surround the lake, there are specific sections where swimming is permitted. Visitors to this lake would undoubtedly have a blast while there because to the hiking and bike trails and other fun activities. Leashed dogs are welcome at numerous campsites near the lake.

Location: McCormick County

Along the Tugaloo, Seneca, and Savannah rivers, Lake Hartwell, which has a surface area of around 56,000 square kilometers, has a boundary with the states of South Carolina and Georgia. The lake that was created when the Hartwell Dam was built is not only the largest lake in the Southeast, but it is also the one that is most used for leisure purposes. It takes Nancy Hart, a well-known character in the American Revolutionary War, as its name. Numerous activities are also made possible by the Lake Hartwell State Park, which is close to the lake.

Striped bass, largemouth bass, crappie, trout, walleye, and white bass are among the species that are frequently encountered here. It is necessary to use a boat to catch fish like trout and walleye since they frequently congregate close to the portion of the Hartwell Dam that is situated on the lake's Georgia border. When near the beach banks of this lake, one should exercise caution because of the blue-green algae's bad reputation.

One of the most popular pastimes in this area is boating. There are multiple boat ramps and five marinas on the lake: Big Water Marina, Hartwell Marina, Harbor Light Marina, Portman Marina, and Clemson Marina. There is also the Western Carolina Sailing Club, which promotes sailing and sailboat racing.

Location: Georgia

Lake Keowee was created in 1971 with Duke Energy, a power company, in mind. The lake is 26 miles (42 km) long, 3 miles (4.8 km) wide, and 54 ft (16 m) deep, and it is mostly located in Oconee County, South Carolina. It also reaches up to Pickens County in some places. The lake is principally nourished by the Little River and the Keowee River. However, due to the large number of fatalities that occur here, it also has a bad reputation as one of South Carolina's deadliest lakes (especially the Oconee County area). At the park's northernmost point, there is also Keowee Toxaway State Park.

Marinas are accessible to residents in the neighborhood. For an exhilarating experience in the clear, frigid seas, one can rent kayaks or other boats. Boat rentals are available from 9 am to 6 pm. For the convenience of boaters and for hygienic reasons, the county officials constructed a floating restroom. There have been numerous boat-related mishaps, one of which claimed the life of a Clemson football player.

Swimming is still permitted, although there are no lifeguards on duty and no defined swimming area. The lake provides a venue for water skiing and other aquatic activities. Even camping is possible at one of the several campgrounds at the neighboring Keowee Toxaway State Park.

Location: Oconee / Pickens counties

When a hydroelectric dam was constructed on the Saluda River adjacent to the South Carolina community of Chappells, this lake was created. Lake Greenwood has a shoreline that stretches for 212 miles (341 km) and is made up of about 11,400 acres (46 sq km). The counties of Laurens, Newberry, and Greenwood are traversed by the waters of this lake.

However, Greenwood County is the sole owner of the property because they bought the entire estate. The Lake Greenwood State Park is nearby. It offers an abundance of activities, including boating, camping, hiking, and fishing. Anglers of all ability levels have access to fishing opportunities. Species like perch, bass, stripers, catfish, and beam could be found. The fall season is ideal for you if you want to catch bass in particular.

The lake is perfect for boating due to its calm waters and pleasant surrounding surroundings. The area around the fishing piers, docks, and boat ramps should be avoided, and swimming is permitted at one's own risk. Numerous water sports, including scuba diving and water skiing, are available here.

Location: Greenwood / Laurens / Newberry counties

Lake Wateree, a tiny 21 square mile (50 square kilometre) reservoir with an 181 square mile (291 square km) shoreline in the Fairfield, Lancaster, and Kershaw counties, is one of themost beautiful lakes in South Carolina. It takes its name from the Native American tribes known as the Wateree, who lived nearby before being driven out by European immigrants. Duke Energy has been granted ownership and control of this lake, whose creation goes back to 1919. Along with offering great fishing opportunities, it is also a haven for a wide variety of animals, including foxes, squirrels, turtles, doves, deer, and birds like eagles, hawks, egrets, ducks, ospreys, and herons.

Largemouth bass, white perch, striped bass, channel catfish, bream, crappie, and Arkansas blue catfish are among the fish species that can be found in this lake's waters.

To make boating easier, there are five boat ramps and four marinas. However, there are swimming facilities available without a lifeguard. Around the lake, there are grills and picnic tables as well. The Lake Wateree State Park, located close to the lake, offers camping facilities.

Location: Kershaw / Fairfield / Lancaster counties

The Richard B. Russell Lake on the Savannah River, which borders Elbert County, Georgia, and Abbeville and Anderson counties, South Carolina, was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a reservoir. In addition to Beaverdam Creek on the Georgian side and Rocky River on the South Carolina side, the lake impounds principally the Savannah River. Filling of the lake, which resulted in a full pool elevation of 475 feet (145 m), started in October 1983 and was finished in December 1984. In contrast to Hartwell and Thurmond, whose conservation storage causes their levels to shift more dramatically at 35 feet (11 m) and 18 feet (5.5 m), respectively, the lake is designed to operate within 5 feet (1.5 m) of the entire pool. The lake appears to be full as a result.

Federal laws forbid the usage of the public lands surrounding Lake Russell, unlike its neighbors Lake Hartwell to the north and Lake Strom Thurmond to the south.

The striped bass, spotted bass, largemouth bass, and black crappie are common species of fish in this area. Summer is the finest season for fishing since species like crappie and bass are commonly accessible.

Location: Georgia

The surface area of Lake Wylie, which touches the states of South Carolina and North Carolina, is 13,400 acres (54 sq km), and its shoreline extends for 325 miles (523 km). It was established in 1904 as a component of the Catawba Power Company's Catawba Dam project. In 1960, Lake Catawba's original name was changed to Lake Wylie in honor of W. Gil. Wylie, one of the Catawba Company's founders. Due to its proximity to the two states of Carolina, it develops into a well-known destination for recreation for locals of Rock Hill, Fort Mill, and Charlotte.

The channel catfish and largemouth bass are two popular fish species found in the lake. Anglers of all skill levels swarm here constantly to catch the best fish. One can rent a boat and have a once-in-a-lifetime voyage through the clear waters.

There are two public swimming sites at the lake, one of which is in Ebenezer Park and the other of which is in Windjammer Park. In these two parks, tourists can enjoy hiking, water sports, picnicking, and a variety of other amenities. Despite two pet-friendly restaurants being close by, the lake area is not the best place for them.

Location: touches the states of South Carolina and North Carolina

Greer CPW owns Lake Robinson, a spotless recreation area northwest of the Greer city limits. . It's also one of the most beautiful lakes in South Carolina. A drinking water impoundment was built around the lake. It is a source of drinking water for CPW and is nourished by the South Tyger River. Three fishing piers, a boat ramp, and event spaces are available at Lake Robinson. The boathouse, chairs at shelter #1, and fishing piers were all repaired by CPW in the spring of 2016.

There are fantastic boating, fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding opportunities on the 800-acre lake. The Greenville News even referred to Robinson's abundance of fish as a "little treasure" for the neighborhood.

Lake Robinson is ideal for swimming and kayaking in addition to fishing. The park has two fishing locations and ramps for boats. Visitors who want to have their events at Lake Robinson can reserve a location there. In addition, this charming park contains a magnificent boathouse, chairs, and picnic shelters.

Location: Greer South Carolina off of Highway 101

The final lake in the chain of six that Georgia Power manages in Northeast Georgia is Lake Yonah, which is situated between Toccoa and Tallulah Falls. Yonah is the least populous of the Georgia Power lakes, with around 72 vacation and year-round residences, making it a haven for water activities. At any time of day, it is peaceful enough to enjoy kayaking, paddle boarding, or any other water sport. Get back in touch with nature and fall in love with the Tugaloo River's beautiful scenery. Fishing enthusiasts will have a field day at the lake because it is home to a variety of fish, including walleye. In this reservoir, Lake Yonah is bordered by steep, solid granite canyon walls that make for a beautiful backdrop.

Unlike the other lakes in the chain, Lake Yonah has more beachfront and area per home, and its natural beauty is unspoiled by excessive development. Three golf courses - the Currahee Club, Apple Mountain, and the Orchard - are easily accessible from Lake Yonah, which is conveniently situated close to Tallulah Falls and the lovely town of Clarkesville. Despite the modest size of the Lake Yonah hamlet, neighbors can engage at an annual barbecue and during July 4th fireworks on the lake.

Location: Georgia

Imagine yourself lounging in the sun, swimming in refreshing water, and laughing with your loved ones while enjoying some delectable picnic fare. Spending an afternoon at Saluda Lake can bring these scenarios to reality. This 331-acre (134-hectare) reservoir, which is located on the Saluda River, was built in 1905. You can engage in all of your favorite outdoor pursuits in this little bit of heaven on Earth. In general, you can swim, boat, fish, and create enduring moments with your loved ones. In the lake, beam, catfish, crappie, and bass swim freely while waiting to be captured. Additionally, Saluda Lake features a picturesque half-mile trail that is ideal for gentle cardio.

On the border of Greenville and Pickens counties, it dams the Saluda River. The city of Easley in Pickens County receives its drinking water from this lake. One of the few tiny lakes in South Carolina with a Bait & Tackle store on its shore is Saluda Lake. So, pay Saluda Lake Landing a visit the next time you're there. The landing has reopened under new ownership and offers a boat ramp, kayak and fishing boat rentals, as well as a full menu of cuisine.