Graves Lake Fishing near Johnsonville, South Carolina

• Overview

  Graves Lake lies in Marion County, South Carolina. The coast is 32 miles away. The water covers some 31 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. Size puts it in the front rank of our Marion County list. For supplies, Johnsonville is 6 miles out. Red Hill follows at 11 miles, then Pamplico at 12 miles. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Graves Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Biodiversity records within roughly six miles include common carp, flathead catfish, longnose gar, shorthead redhorse and snail bullhead. Records show what people reported, so treat the list as a guide to what lives in the area. Take Graves Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 80°F; by January the average is down near 45°F. Winter is a mild inconvenience here, nothing more. Heat pushes fish deep from June onwards, so start early. Spring and autumn carry the year; summer squeezes it into the ends of the day. Plan any trip to Graves Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Mapping classes it as an oxbow: an old river bend cut off from the main channel. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. If the gate is shut, Dog Lake at 0.6 miles is the nearest alternative. The position on Graves Lake is worth confirming on the day.