Savannah River

Type
Tailwater, South Carolina (South)
Designation
Tailwater trout fishery · Designated trout water
USGS gauges
None listed
Guides
1 nearby
Shops
None listed

Today on the Savannah River

No live reading for this water
Why there is no reading

Nothing live is published for this water, so there is no reading or verdict today. The readings section below says what we checked.

Regulations & access Guides & shops

The Savannah River is a tailwater in South Carolina and Georgia, listed as Tailwater trout fishery by South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

More about the Savannah River

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources lists 1 species. 1 guide nearby are listed here.

Updated · Sources: The Tailwaters (SCDNR-managed trout tailwaters below Lake Hartwell Dam and Lake Murray Dam), The Tailwaters (SCDNR-managed trout tailwaters below Lake Hartwell Dam and Lake Murray Dam)

Representative photograph of similar water; not a photograph of this place.
Representative photograph, not this water.
Where it is

Savannah River is a tailwater in South Carolina and Georgia.

No real-time gauge

No real-time gauge on this water. We found no active USGS gauge on Savannah River or on its stream system within about 25 miles, and no dam operator publishes data for it. A missing gauge says nothing about the water itself. Find the gauges nearest Savannah River

About these readings

Nothing live is published for this water; the note below says what we checked.

Where to fish

About this

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.

Savannah River on the map

About this

Shops and guides within 40 miles

Map of Savannah River: gauges, shops and guides

Map of Savannah River, and shops and guides with an exact address within 40 miles.

Restrooms near Savannah River

Restrooms near Savannah River

Restrooms within 2 miles of Savannah 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.

More water near Savannah River

  • The brown lower Saluda River between green wooded banks, seen from a bridge railingTailwater trout fishery
    Photo credit

    The lower Saluda River at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, Columbia, South Carolina. Photo: Thomson200, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Saluda River

    South Carolina · about 29 mi

    Rainbow & brown trout

  • The Chattooga River pouring through granite boulders below Bull Pen BridgeCatch and release
    Photo credit

    The Chattooga River at Bull Pen Bridge, North Carolina headwaters. Photo: Dallas Epperson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Chattooga River

    South Carolina · about 42 mi

  • A boat on hazy Lake Greenwood with wooded points on either sideAgency-named bass waterRepresentative photo · not Lake Secession
    Photo credit

    Lake Greenwood, South Carolina. Photo: JCMLuis, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Lake Secession.

    Lake Secession

    South Carolina · about 14 mi

    Largemouth bass

  • The Middle Saluda River tumbling over boulders through a spring forestCatch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Chauga River
    Photo credit

    The Middle Saluda River in Jones Gap State Park, Greenville County, South Carolina. Photo: John Foxe, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Chauga River.

    Chauga River

    South Carolina · about 29 mi

  • Looking up the Tuckasegee River at Bryson City, a wide river between forested Smoky Mountain hillsCatch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Devils Fork Creek
    Photo credit

    The Tuckasegee River from Old River Road, Bryson City. Photo: Matthew T. Bradley, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Devils Fork Creek.

    Devils Fork Creek

    South Carolina · about 35 mi

  • The Davidson River in morning light, flowing over stones beneath a rhododendron and hardwood canopyCatch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Cheohee Creek
    Photo credit

    The Davidson River at Davidson River Campground, Pisgah National Forest. Photo: USDA / Lance Cheung, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Cheohee Creek.

    Cheohee Creek

    South Carolina · about 41 mi

Regulations

About this

Seasons, limits, special regulations and closures for each reach are on the agency pages below. Read them before you go.

2 official designations

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.

The water on the map

About this

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.

Length
293.8 mi (275.4 in SC)
Drains
10,220 sq mi
Drop
657 ft · 2.2 ft/mi
Watershed
Middle Savannah, Lower Savannah, Upper Savannah

Public land along it

About this

Areas the Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US), public access (U.S. Geological Survey, Gap Analysis Project, read 2026-11-05) lists as owned or held in easement and open to the public, crossed by the mapped channel. Boundaries are mapped, not surveyed. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.

7.1 of 289.5 mi on public land

  • Tuckahoe Wildlife Management AreaState Department of Natural Resources · 4.6 mi
  • Tuckahoe Wildlife Management AreaState Department of Natural Resources · 1.1 mi · restricted
  • J. Strom Thurmond Recreation AreaArmy Corps of Engineers · 0.9 mi
  • Hamilton Ridge Wildlife Management AreaState Department of Natural Resources · 0.1 mi
  • Hartwell Recreation AreaArmy Corps of Engineers · 0.1 mi
  • Savannah National Wildlife RefugeU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · 0.1 mi · restricted

Nothing on this page grants or implies access.

Guides and shops near Savannah River

About this

Listings marked Unclaimed are built from open map records and the business's own website: confirm licensing, rates, dates and hours directly.

Guides

  • Jocassee Outfitters

    Salem, SC · 39 mi

    Wade trips · Chattooga & French Broad

    • Unclaimed

    Nearby

Shops nearby

No shop nearby yet.

How these are chosen

Guides whose own website names this water come first, nearest first. After them, fly-focused guides within 40 miles whose website does not name it. Distances are straight-line.

Shops: fly shops first. A distance is shown when the shop’s website gives its location (within 60 miles); otherwise the shop is in one of the towns within 25 miles of the water.

Guide and shop listings come from the Legendary directories.

Species and hatches

About this

The species the agency lists here; presence varies by reach and season.

Listed by the state agency

When the bugs come off

Plan a trip here

About this

None of our destination hubs is within 40 miles in a straight line. The trip planner builds a trip around the water itself: the guides and shops listed within 40 miles of it, its gauges and its nearest towns and airports.

No hub within 40 miles

Fish these abroad

About this

Matched on the fish the agencies list for both waters first, then the same water type, an official designation or flagship listing on both, and a similar mapped size where USGS hydrography covers both.

At most two waters per country. A shared fish is a listing, not a promise: presence varies by reach and season.

Like the Savannah River? Same fish, overseas.

  • The Meander River curving between willows and parkland at DeloraineFlagship water
    Photo credit

    The Meander River in Deloraine, Tasmania. Photo: Gary Houston, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Meander River

    Tasmania, Australia

    Same fish: rainbow trout · also a tailwater

  • The straight, turquoise Tekapo–Pukaki canal running between gravel banks toward distant hillsFlagship water
    Photo credit

    The Tekapo–Pukaki hydro canal, Mackenzie Country, Canterbury. Photo: Avenue, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Hydro Canals

    Canterbury, New Zealand

    Same fish: rainbow trout · also a tailwater

  • The Grand River running wide and blue between grassy, wooded banks north of ParisTailwater
    Photo credit

    The Grand River just north of Paris, Ontario, looking upstream. Photo: JustSomePics, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Grand River

    Ontario, Canada

    Same fish: rainbow trout · also a tailwater

  • The lower Clutha River's channels winding across green farmland towards the seaTailwater
    Photo credit

    The lower Clutha River / Mata-Au and Inch Clutha from Kaitangata. Photo: Andrewrutherford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Lower Clutha River / Mata-Au

    Otago, New Zealand

    Same fish: rainbow trout · also a tailwater

  • The wide, calm Río Toltén past rounded boulders on the bank, low hills beyondTailwaterRepresentative photo · not Río Calcurrupe
    Photo credit

    The Río Toltén at Pocoyán. Photo: Maxbalter, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Río Calcurrupe.

    Río Calcurrupe

    Los Ríos, Chile

    Same fish: rainbow trout · also a tailwater

  • The South Esk River running dark and still between steep rocky wallsTailwaterRepresentative photo · not Brumbys Creek
    Photo credit

    The South Esk River, Tasmania. Photo: Michael Coghlan from Adelaide, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Brumbys Creek.

    Brumbys Creek

    Tasmania, Australia

    Same fish: rainbow trout · also a tailwater

Fish it when it's winter here

Southern seasons open while ours close.

  • Lake Taupō's blue water framed by yellow kōwhai and bush, hills across the lakeFlagship water
    Photo credit

    Lake Taupō. Photo: Ériugena, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Lake Taupō

    Waikato, New Zealand

    Season open all year · DOC

  • Penstock Lagoon's open water below a shoreline of tall eucalyptsFlagship water
    Photo credit

    Penstock Lagoon, Central Highlands, Tasmania. Photo: Mike Cline, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Penstock Lagoon

    Tasmania, Australia

    Season open Aug–May · Inland Fisheries Service

  • The clear turquoise Río Limay flowing past green willows and rock outcropsTailwater
    Photo credit

    The Río Limay, Argentina. Photo: P. Hughes, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Río Limay

    Río Negro, Argentina

    Season open Nov–May · Patagonian fishing regulation

  • The broad blue-green Río Puelo between forested banks, mountains beyondFreestone riverRepresentative photo · not Río Petrohué
    Photo credit

    The Río Puelo at Las Gualas, Cochamó. Photo: Nicolás from seno de reloncaví, Chile, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Río Petrohué.

    Río Petrohué

    Los Lagos, Chile

    Season open Nov–May · SERNAPESCA

  • The Río Simpson running past the edge of Coyhaique under cliffs and hills in AysénLake or reservoirRepresentative photo · not Lago Llanquihue
    Photo credit

    The Río Simpson passing Coyhaique, Aysén. Photo: Manxuc, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Lago Llanquihue.

    Lago Llanquihue

    Los Lagos, Chile

    Season open Nov–May · SERNAPESCA

  • Lago Nahuel Huapi's blue water and wooded islands below snow-capped Andes, framed by conifersLake or reservoir
    Photo credit

    Lago Nahuel Huapi from Llao Llao. Photo: David, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Lago Nahuel Huapi

    Río Negro, Argentina

    Season open Oct–May · Patagonian fishing regulation

  • The braided Oreti River across green farmland, mountains on the horizonFlagship waterRepresentative photo · not Mataura River
    Photo credit

    The Oreti River near Lumsden, Southland. Photo: Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons Not Mataura River.

    Mataura River

    Southland, New Zealand

    Season open Oct–Apr · Fish & Game NZ

  • Old timber pilings reflected in the still water of Great Lake, a low wooded shore beyondFlagship water
    Photo credit

    Great Lake, Tasmania. Photo: Peripitus, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Yingina / Great Lake

    Tasmania, Australia

    Season open all year · Inland Fisheries Service

Gear checklist

About this

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.

An angler stands on a boulder at the edge of a fast forest stream and fishes the run

Small mountain streams

7′6″–8′6″ rod, 3–4 weight, floating line · Brook, cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout

Open the checklist
Videos for this water (5)

Watch: reading a trout stream

About this

Seams, 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.

  • How I Learned to Read Water (Fly Fishing)Embedded from YouTube · Mad River Outfitters · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
  • How To Read The Water with Tom RosenbauerEmbedded from YouTube · The New Fly Fisher · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
  • Reading the Water to Successfully Locate TroutEmbedded from YouTube · Orvis Guide to Fly Fishing · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube

Not sponsored All videos on reading water

Watch: nymphing basics

About this

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.

  • 90° Nymph RigEmbedded from YouTube · Huge Fly Fisherman · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
  • Casting with an Indicator & Better Nymphing TechniquesEmbedded from YouTube · The New Fly Fisher · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube

Not sponsored All videos on nymphing

Fish Tales

About this

Trip stories anglers chose to share publicly and tagged with Savannah River.

No stories from here yet.

Sources for this page

Not a statement of access, fish presence or conditions.

Something wrong?

All 10 sources and dates

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: a point on the mapped channel of “Savannah River”, halfway along the free-flowing reach below its uppermost reservoir, from the USGS high-resolution hydrography (NHDPlus HR), read 4 Nov 2026. Water type is our own classification.