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Lake Wateree – Eastern part of South Carolina

Lake Wateree is a 13,700 acre reservoir located in the eastern part of South Carolina.  It is a very old lake built in 1920 on the Wateree River. Wateree is owned and managed by Duke Energy Corporation that owns several other lakes in South Carolina including Lake Keowee, Lake Greenwood, Lake Wylie, and Lake Jocassee.

Lake Wateree, South Carolina Fishing on Lake Wateree, SC

Table of Contents
  1. About the Lake Wateree
  2. Specifications
  3. Fish Species
  4. Lake House Rentals Available on Lake Wateree
  5. Lake Wateree quick facts
  6. How deep and how old is Lake Wateree?
  7. Fishing on Lake Wateree
  8. Camping at Lake Wateree State Park
  9. Real estate
  10. Explore more South Carolina lakes
  11. Location
  12. SOUTH CAROLINA BOOKS ON AMAZON
  13. Lake Wateree FAQ
  14. How deep is Lake Wateree?
  15. When was Lake Wateree built?
  16. What fish are in Lake Wateree?
  17. Can you camp at Lake Wateree?

About the Lake Wateree

Lake Wateree’s 242 miles of shoreline is mostly covered in wooded land that lies within three different counties: Fairfield, Kershaw, and Lancaster. Compared to other lakes in South Carolina, Lake Wateree is one of the shallowest in the state with a maximum depth of 64 feet. On trips to this lake, I personally have seen average water depths of 20 feet in the center of the lake. With mostly open water, Wateree does not have the standing timber that other lakes in the state have. However, the shoreline does have it share of fallen trees which make for some great fishing opportunities.

Specifications

  • Project Management Duke Power Company
  • Full Pool Elevation  225.5 Feet Above MSL
  • Size  13,700 Acres
  • Shoreline  242 Miles
  • Length  16 Miles
  • Maximum Depth  64 Feet (SCDHEC)
  • Mean Depth  6.9 Feet (SCDHEC)

Fish Species

  • Bass
  • Crappie
  • Catfish
  • Striped Bass
  • Largemouth Bass

Lake House Rentals Available on Lake Wateree

If you have one, just contact us to list it here.

Lake Wateree quick facts

Surface area≈ 13,700 acres (21 sq mi)
Average depthabout 23 ft
Maximum depthabout 64 ft · full pond 225.5 ft
Built / managed by1919, Duke Energy (Catawba-Wateree chain)
CountiesKershaw, Fairfield, Lancaster

How deep and how old is Lake Wateree?

Created in 1919 by damming the Wateree River, Lake Wateree is one of the oldest man-made lakes in South Carolina — the southernmost link in Duke Energy’s long Catawba-Wateree chain. It averages about 23 feet deep, with the old river channel running to around 64 feet, and sits at a full pond of 225.5 feet. The lake’s shallow flats, stump fields and feeder creeks make it a fertile, fishy place.

Fishing on Lake Wateree

Wateree is best known as a catfish lake — channel, flathead and big blue catfish all swim here, and drifting cut bait over the flats is a local art form. It is also a strong largemouth bass and crappie fishery, with white perch, bream and striped/hybrid bass rounding out the catch. More than a dozen access points and eight boat ramps ring the lake, so launching is easy from almost any shore.

Camping at Lake Wateree State Park

On Desportes Island, Lake Wateree State Park packs a lot into 238 acres: roughly 70-plus campsites (several right on the water), a park store and tackle shop with a fuel dock, a public boat ramp and a two-mile nature trail through the pines. It is a favorite jumping-off point for anglers and an easy drive from historic Camden.

Real estate

Wateree offers some of the more affordable big-water living in the Midlands, with cottages, year-round homes and lots spread around Great Falls, Ridgeway and the Camden side of the lake. To list your Lake Wateree home or rental here, reach out through our contact form.

Explore more South Carolina lakes

  • Lake Wylie — the oldest lake higher up the same Catawba River chain
  • Lake Murray — the big Midlands lake to the west near Columbia

Location

Lake Wateree on google maps

Lake Wateree Lake Wateree — South Carolina

SOUTH CAROLINA BOOKS ON AMAZON

 

 

More photos of the Wateree Lake
Lake Wateree from the water Lake Wateree — boating Lake Wateree dock and shoreline  Lake Wateree — fishing spot Lake Wateree cove Lake Wateree in summer Lake Wateree aerial view Lake Wateree waterfront Lake Wateree sunset over the water Lake Wateree lake view Lake Wateree boat ramp Lake Wateree scenic view Lake Wateree Lake Wateree — South Carolina Lake Wateree shoreline Lake Wateree at sunset Lake Wateree from the water Lake Wateree — boating Lake Wateree dock and shoreline Lake Wateree — fishing spot Lake Wateree cove Lake Wateree in summer Lake Wateree aerial view Lake Wateree waterfront Lake Wateree sunset over the water Lake Wateree lake view Lake Wateree boat ramp Lake Wateree scenic view Lake Wateree Lake Wateree — South Carolina Lake Wateree shoreline Lake Wateree at sunset Lake Wateree from the water Lake Wateree — boating Lake Wateree dock and shoreline Lake Wateree — fishing spot Lake Wateree cove Lake Wateree in summer Lake Wateree aerial view Lake Wateree waterfront Lake Wateree sunset over the water Lake Wateree lake view Lake Wateree boat ramp Lake Wateree scenic view Lake Wateree Lake Wateree — South Carolina Lake Wateree shoreline Lake Wateree at sunset Lake Wateree from the water Lake Wateree — boating Lake Wateree dock and shoreline Lake Wateree — fishing spot Lake Wateree cove Lake Wateree in summer Lake Wateree aerial view Lake Wateree waterfront Lake Wateree sunset over the water Lake Wateree lake view Lake Wateree boat ramp Lake Wateree scenic view Lake Wateree Lake Wateree — South Carolina Lake Wateree shoreline Lake Wateree at sunset Lake Wateree from the water Lake Wateree — boating Lake Wateree dock and shoreline Lake Wateree — fishing spot Lake Wateree cove Lake Wateree in summer Lake Wateree aerial view Lake Wateree waterfront Lake Wateree sunset over the water Lake Wateree lake view Lake Wateree boat ramp Lake Wateree scenic view Lake Wateree Lake Wateree — South Carolina Lake Wateree shoreline Lake Wateree at sunset Lake Wateree from the water Lake Wateree — boating Lake Wateree dock and shoreline Lake Wateree — fishing spot Lake Wateree cove Lake Wateree in summer Lake Wateree aerial view Lake Wateree waterfront Lake Wateree sunset over the water Lake Wateree lake view Lake Wateree boat ramp Lake Wateree scenic view Lake Wateree Lake Wateree — South Carolina Lake Wateree shoreline Lake Wateree at sunset Lake Wateree from the water Lake Wateree — boating Lake Wateree dock and shoreline Lake Wateree — fishing spot Lake Wateree cove Lake Wateree in summer Lake Wateree aerial view Lake Wateree waterfront Lake Wateree sunset over the water Lake Wateree lake view Lake Wateree boat ramp Lake Wateree scenic view Lake Wateree Lake Wateree — South Carolina Lake Wateree shoreline Lake Wateree at sunset Lake Wateree from the water

Lake Wateree FAQ

How deep is Lake Wateree?

It averages about 23 feet and reaches roughly 64 feet at its deepest, with a full pond elevation of 225.5 feet.

When was Lake Wateree built?

In 1919, by damming the Wateree River — one of the oldest reservoirs in South Carolina and the southern end of Duke Energy’s Catawba-Wateree chain.

What fish are in Lake Wateree?

Trophy channel, flathead and blue catfish, plus largemouth bass, crappie, white perch, bream and striped/hybrid bass.

Can you camp at Lake Wateree?

Yes — Lake Wateree State Park on Desportes Island has waterfront campsites, a boat ramp, a tackle shop with fuel and a nature trail.

South Carolina Lakes Database
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