Parr Shoals Reservoir is a 4,400-acre lake on the Broad River in Fairfield County, about 26 miles northwest of Columbia near Jenkinsville and Newberry. Long and narrow, with more than 90 miles of shoreline, it is at once one of the oldest hydroelectric lakes in South Carolina and a working part of a very modern power system — and a genuinely good, uncrowded fishery that most anglers drive right past.
- Parr Shoals at a glance
- A historic lake with a modern job
- Fishing on Parr Shoals Reservoir
- Boating and access
- Nearby lakes
- Parr Shoals Reservoir FAQ
- How big is Parr Shoals Reservoir?
- How old is the dam?
- Why does the water level change so much?
- What fish are in Parr Shoals Reservoir?
- Where can you fish from shore?
Parr Shoals at a glance
| Surface area | ≈ 4,400 acres · 90+ mi shoreline |
| River / county | Broad River · Fairfield (near Newberry) |
| Dam | Parr Shoals Dam — completed 1914, raised 1976 |
| Role | lower pool of the Fairfield Pumped Storage scheme |
A historic lake with a modern job
Parr Shoals Dam was put into service on May 30, 1914 — a gravity dam about 52 feet high that made this one of the earliest hydroelectric plants in the state. Its role changed in the 1970s: in 1976 the dam was raised nine feet so the reservoir could work together with newly built Lake Monticello just above it. The two now form the Fairfield Pumped Storage station. When demand for electricity is low, water is pumped up from Parr into Monticello; when demand peaks, it rushes back down through the turbines to generate power. For anyone on the water, the practical effect is that Parr’s level can rise and fall noticeably over the course of a day, so it pays to launch with the current level in mind.
Fishing on Parr Shoals Reservoir
Few South Carolina lakes hold a wider mix of fish. Anglers catch largemouth and smallmouth bass, white bass, white and black crappie, bluegill and other sunfish, and both white and yellow perch — and the catfishing is excellent, with channel, blue, flathead and white catfish all present. The dam spillway has long been a local favorite for both fishing and birding, where moving water concentrates baitfish and the gamefish that follow them. Public ramps provide access to this narrow, current-fed lake, and a South Carolina fishing license is required.
Boating and access
Parr is more river than open lake — narrow, wooded and gently flowing — which makes it a pleasant place to fish from a small boat or kayak and a quiet alternative to the busy Midlands reservoirs. Because it is a working pumped-storage pool, currents and levels shift with power generation, so keep an eye on conditions and use the public landings near the dam.
Nearby lakes
- Lake Monticello — its pumped-storage partner just upstream
- Lake Murray — the big recreation lake to the south
- Lake Wateree — a shallow Midlands catfish lake to the east
Parr Shoals Reservoir FAQ
How big is Parr Shoals Reservoir?
About 4,400 acres with more than 90 miles of shoreline, on the Broad River in Fairfield County, 26 miles northwest of Columbia.
How old is the dam?
Parr Shoals Dam was completed in 1914, one of the oldest hydroelectric dams in South Carolina, and was raised nine feet in 1976 to work with Lake Monticello.
Why does the water level change so much?
Parr is the lower reservoir of the Fairfield Pumped Storage station, which moves water between Parr and Lake Monticello to generate power, so the level fluctuates through the day.
What fish are in Parr Shoals Reservoir?
Largemouth and smallmouth bass, white bass, white and black crappie, bream and sunfish, white and yellow perch, and channel, blue, flathead and white catfish.
Where can you fish from shore?
The dam spillway is the best-known bank spot, popular for both fishing and birdwatching.
