Guide To Fishing At Lake Monticello

AKA: Monticello Reservoir

What to fish for...

Fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, white catfish, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, redbreast sunfish, redear sunfish, white bass, white perch and yellow perch at Lake Monticello in South Carolina.

As a cooling water, storage reservoir for a nuclear reactor, Lake Monticello, aka Monticello Reservoir is loaded with a great variety of fish species. It covers 7,000 acres, and is located in the north-central part of the state. Fish from the bank or explore the nearly 50 miles of available shoreline by canoe, kayak, bass boat, pontoon or pleasure craft.

Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Lake Video
Contact Info

Varying water levels throughout the day, as much as 5 feet, require boaters to use extreme caution. Due to this fluctuation, water-skiing and jet skis are not allowed on the lake. Use of lake water to cool the hydroelectric station warms the water year round, providing warmer water in winter than nearby lakes. This creates a longer growing season, which creates trophy size fish. Big catfish (channel, flathead, blue and white) are a favorite of local anglers. Bass, crappie, bream, white bass, sunfish and perch also grow in size and quantity in this fertile fishery.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Monticello

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Monticello Amenities

Marina: NO
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NO
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: NO

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

99 Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest corner of the lake, off State Road S-20-99, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Monticello Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off Monticello Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Click here for a South Carolina Fishing License.