The Middle Saluda River is a freestone river in South Carolina, listed as Catch and release by South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (official eRegulations edition of the SC fishing regulations).
1 USGS gauge on the water reports flow. 1 guide nearby are listed here; the nearest destination hub is Asheville & Western North Carolina.
The Middle Saluda River in Jones Gap State Park, Greenville County, South Carolina. Photo: John Foxe, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Middle Saluda River is a freestone river in South Carolina. Our destination hub Asheville & Western North Carolina is 33 mi away in a straight line (43 by road).
Pick one of its USGS gauges and hear from us when the flow moves into or out of its usual range for the date, or crosses a flow you set. We check the public USGS reading every 2 hours and email only when it crosses, at most once every 6 hours. Flow alone is not a fishing forecast or a safety call.
Signed in: one step. Otherwise we email a confirmation link first. Every alert has one-click links to stop it.
Start from the agency's public access map. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.
Nothing on this page grants or implies access.
Gauges, shops and guides within 40 miles
Map of Middle Saluda River: gauges, shops and guides
Map of Middle Saluda River with 1 USGS gauge, and shops and guides with an exact address within 40 miles.
Restrooms within 2 miles of Middle Saluda River in a straight line, nearest first, with what anglers found when they went. The map says a restroom is there, not whether it is clean or open today.
No restroom mapped within 2 mi yet — add one you know.
Campgrounds, fishing access sites and boat ramps often have one that isn't on the map yet.
Restroom locations and map details: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Open Database License, read Oct 24, 2026. Ratings, answers and photos are members' own; who shared them is never shown, and every photo is reviewed before it appears. Visits older than 18 months no longer count. Distances are straight-line miles, not driving. Nothing here grants access to private land. Community guidelines.
Catch and releaseThe Davidson River at Davidson River Campground, Pisgah National Forest. Photo: USDA / Lance Cheung, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
North Carolina · about 14 mi
Delayed HarvestBradley Creek, a stream in the Mills River watershed in Pisgah National Forest, about three miles from the North Mills River (not the North Mills itself). Photo: Will Thomas, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
North Carolina · about 21 mi
Delayed HarvestLittle River in Tennessee · not this reachLittle River at Three Forks, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Photo: Brian Stansberry, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not this reach.
North Carolina · about 6 mi
Special-regulation trout waterRepresentative photo · not Matthews CreekThe lower Saluda River at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, Columbia, South Carolina. Photo: Thomson200, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Matthews Creek.
South Carolina · about 6 mi
Delayed HarvestRepresentative photo · not East Fork French Broad RiverThe French Broad River in Henderson County, North Carolina. Photo: Pollinator (English Wikipedia), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not East Fork French Broad River.
North Carolina · about 12 mi
Wild Trout WaterRepresentative photo · not Green RiverThe South Toe River, Yancey County, North Carolina. Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Southeast Region, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Green River.
North Carolina · about 21 mi
Seasons, limits, special regulations and closures for each reach are on the agency pages below. Read them before you go.
Each comes from the agency's own published list; where the list names a reach it is quoted. A designation applies to the listed reach, not necessarily the whole water. Listed in the finder under trout.
On the Trout waters that are catch and release only year-round list (South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (official eRegulations edition of the SC fishing regulations), read 2026-10-24). All waters with this designation
On the Trout waters with artificial-lure-only or size-limit rules list (South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (official eRegulations edition of the SC fishing regulations), read 2026-10-24). All waters with this designation
Measured from the NHDPlus High Resolution (flowlines and waterbodies) (U.S. Geological Survey, read 2026-11-04) for this water’s own mapped feature. Rounded figures; they describe the channel, not today’s conditions.
Listings marked Unclaimed are built from open map records and the business's own website: confirm licensing, rates, dates and hours directly.
No shop nearby yet.
What 1 nearby guide website mention: what guides advertise, not a survey or a promise of what you will catch.
Named on 1 nearby guide website
Asheville sits on the French Broad River in the Blue Ridge, with the Davidson, Mills, Toe, Watauga, Tuckasegee and Nantahala rivers spread through the surrounding mountains.
Destination hub · 33 mi away in a straight line, 43 by road
A practical checklist for fly fishing small mountain trout streams: a short 3–4 weight rod, light line, a few buoyant dries and simple wet-wading gear, with estimated prices and where to buy.
7′6″–8′6″ rod, 3–4 weight, floating line · Brook, cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout
Open the checklistSeams, shelves and soft water, shown on real rivers.
Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.
Not sponsored All videos on reading water
Indicator rigs, depth and detecting the take.
Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.
Not sponsored All videos on nymphing
Trip stories anglers chose to share publicly and tagged with Middle Saluda River.
No stories from here yet.
Not a statement of access, fish presence or conditions.
A water page organises discovery. It does not assert public access, legal access, current fish presence, guide availability or fishing conditions.
Flows, gauge statistics and flood stages come from USGS and the National Weather Service when the page is shown. Regulations, stocking, species and season statements link to the agency that publishes them; this page copies only the species names and the quoted sentences. Guide and shop listings come from the Legendary directories. Position: the USGS gauge MIDDLE SALUDA RIVER NEAR CLEVELAND, SC. Water type is our own classification.
Warning: Rising fast: be careful, conditions are changing
No water temperature here.
At MIDDLE SALUDA RIVER NEAR CLEVELAND, SC (USGS 02162350) Provisional USGS data
USGS 02162350 · NWS MSRS1
What the agencies suggest
Stand back from the shoreline and be aware of surroundingsRhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Wading and boating should be avoided if waters are running high and muddy and the streambed is not visiblePennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 5:45 PM EST · provisional USGS data
Much above normal for Nov 5 Rising · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 7:00 PM EDT to Nov 5, 5:45 PM EST; ranging 20.1 to 436 ft³/s; latest 102 ft³/s.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Discharge (ft³/s) | Gauge height (ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 5:45 PM EST | 102 | 2.24 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 PM EST | 108 | 2.28 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 PM EST | 114 | 2.32 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 PM EST | 121 | 2.37 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 PM EST | 129 | 2.42 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 PM EST | 134 | 2.45 |
| Nov 5, 11:45 AM EST | 144 | 2.51 |
| Nov 5, 10:45 AM EST | 159 | 2.6 |
| Nov 5, 9:45 AM EST | 172 | 2.67 |
| Nov 5, 8:45 AM EST | 187 | 2.75 |
| Nov 5, 7:45 AM EST | 199 | 2.81 |
| Nov 5, 6:45 AM EST | 220 | 2.91 |
| Nov 5, 5:45 AM EST | 238 | 2.99 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 AM EST | 248 | 3.04 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 AM EST | 259 | 3.09 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 AM EST | 276 | 3.17 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 AM EST | 342 | 3.45 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 AM EST | 436 | 3.8 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 PM EST | 417 | 3.73 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 PM EST | 308 | 3.31 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 PM EST | 242 | 3.01 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 PM EST | 210 | 2.86 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 PM EST | 108 | 2.28 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 PM EST | 46.7 | 1.76 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 PM EST | 34.1 | 1.61 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 PM EST | 27.6 | 1.52 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 PM EST | 25 | 1.48 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 PM EST | 22.5 | 1.44 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 PM EST | 21.3 | 1.42 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 PM EST | 21.3 | 1.42 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 AM EST | 21.3 | 1.42 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 PM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 PM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 PM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 PM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 PM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 PM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 PM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 PM EST | 21.3 | 1.42 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 PM EST | 21.3 | 1.42 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 PM EST | 22.5 | 1.44 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 PM EST | 24.3 | 1.47 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 PM EST | 25.6 | 1.49 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 AM EST | 26.3 | 1.5 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 PM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 PM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 PM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 PM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 PM EST | 20.1 | 1.4 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 PM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 PM EST | 20.1 | 1.4 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 PM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 PM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 PM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 PM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 PM EST | 20.1 | 1.4 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 AM EST | 20.1 | 1.4 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 PM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 PM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 PM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 PM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 PM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 PM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 PM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 PM EST | 21.3 | 1.42 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 PM EST | 21.9 | 1.43 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 PM EST | 23.1 | 1.45 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 PM EST | 25 | 1.48 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 PM EST | 26.3 | 1.5 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM EST | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM EDT | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 AM EDT | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 PM EDT | 20.1 | 1.4 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 PM EDT | 20.1 | 1.4 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 PM EDT | 20.1 | 1.4 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 PM EDT | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 PM EDT | 20.1 | 1.4 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 PM EDT | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 PM EDT | 20.1 | 1.4 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 PM EDT | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 PM EDT | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 PM EDT | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 PM EDT | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 PM EDT | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 AM EDT | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 AM EDT | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 AM EDT | 21.3 | 1.42 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 AM EDT | 21.3 | 1.42 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 AM EDT | 21.3 | 1.42 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 AM EDT | 21.3 | 1.42 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 AM EDT | 21.3 | 1.42 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 AM EDT | 21.3 | 1.42 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 AM EDT | 21.3 | 1.42 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 AM EDT | 21.3 | 1.42 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 AM EDT | 21.3 | 1.42 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 AM EDT | 21.3 | 1.42 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 PM EDT | 21.3 | 1.42 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 PM EDT | 21.3 | 1.42 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 PM EDT | 21.3 | 1.42 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 PM EDT | 21.3 | 1.42 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 PM EDT | 21.9 | 1.43 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 PM EDT | 22.5 | 1.44 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 PM EDT | 23.7 | 1.46 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 PM EDT | 25.6 | 1.49 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 PM EDT | 26.9 | 1.51 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 PM EDT | 23.1 | 1.45 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 PM EDT | 20.7 | 1.41 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 PM EDT | 21.3 | 1.42 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 AM EDT | 21.9 | 1.43 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 AM EDT | 21.9 | 1.43 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 AM EDT | 21.9 | 1.43 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 AM EDT | 21.9 | 1.43 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 AM EDT | 21.9 | 1.43 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 AM EDT | 21.9 | 1.43 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 AM EDT | 21.9 | 1.43 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 AM EDT | 21.9 | 1.43 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 AM EDT | 21.9 | 1.43 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 AM EDT | 21.9 | 1.43 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 AM EDT | 21.9 | 1.43 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 AM EDT | 21.9 | 1.43 |
| Oct 29, 11:45 PM EDT | 21.9 | 1.43 |
| Oct 29, 10:45 PM EDT | 21.9 | 1.43 |
| Oct 29, 9:45 PM EDT | 21.9 | 1.43 |
| Oct 29, 8:45 PM EDT | 21.9 | 1.43 |
| Oct 29, 7:45 PM EDT | 21.9 | 1.43 |
| Oct 29, 7:00 PM EDT | 21.9 | 1.43 |
Normal for Nov 5: 23–49 ft³/s (middle half of 37 years of record). Now: 102 ft³/s, much above normal.
Much above normal for this date. 102 ft³/s is above the 90th percentile of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 37 years of record (1981–2026): 10th 15, 25th 23, median 38, 75th 49, 90th 73 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 9.98 ft³/s, highest 171 ft³/s.
Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).
Rising over 24 hours: discharge up 199.1%, from 34.1 to 102 ft³/s. Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
NWS observed 2.24 ft stage at Nov 5, 5:45 PM EST (NWS gauge MSRS1; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
Forecasts are not available. Only observed stages are available for this point.
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer: the trout lines South Carolina DNR uses are 62°F and 70°F.
This gauge is on our page for Middle Saluda River, but no agency page we read lists its species.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)Rising water. Rising over the last 24 hours (discharge up 199%). Keep your way back to the bank in sight and watch the level while you fish. “Rising” is our rule of thumb: more than 10% in discharge or 0.2 ft of gauge height in 24 hours, not a USGS or NWS class.
Flow far above normal. Above the 90th percentile of daily mean flow for this date (USGS class “much above normal”), from 37 years of record. Expect higher, faster water than usual for the season.
hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) Statistics documentation (percentiles of daily mean discharge) (U.S. Geological Survey)Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.
Checked Nov 5, 6:59 PM EST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.
Catch and releaseThe Davidson River at Davidson River Campground, Pisgah National Forest. Photo: USDA / Lance Cheung, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Delayed HarvestBradley Creek, a stream in the Mills River watershed in Pisgah National Forest, about three miles from the North Mills River (not the North Mills itself). Photo: Will Thomas, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
North Carolina · about 21 mi
Delayed HarvestLittle River in Tennessee · not this reachLittle River at Three Forks, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Photo: Brian Stansberry, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not this reach.
North Carolina · about 6 mi
Special-regulation trout waterRepresentative photo · not Matthews CreekThe lower Saluda River at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, Columbia, South Carolina. Photo: Thomson200, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Matthews Creek.
South Carolina · about 6 mi
Delayed HarvestRepresentative photo · not East Fork French Broad RiverThe French Broad River in Henderson County, North Carolina. Photo: Pollinator (English Wikipedia), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not East Fork French Broad River.
North Carolina · about 12 mi
Wild Trout WaterRepresentative photo · not Green RiverThe South Toe River, Yancey County, North Carolina. Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Southeast Region, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Green River.
North Carolina · about 21 mi
Saluda, North Carolina
River cabins · 14 mi
Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
River cabins · 15 mi
