Fishing at Mathis Pond, Sumter County, South Carolina

• Overview

  Set in Sumter County, South Carolina, this is Mathis Pond. The country round it is dry hill from end to end. Surface area runs to about 8 acres — small enough to read in one session. South Sumter sits 2.6 miles from the bank. Lakewood follows at 3.5 miles, then Cane Savannah at 3.7 miles. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Mathis Pond

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Public wildlife records from this area list bluegill, chain pickerel, margined madtom, redbreast sunfish and sawcheek darter. Records show what people reported, so treat the list as a guide to what lives in the area. Take Mathis Pond a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 81°F and January near 44°F. Fishing runs all year, with summer the awkward season. Shade and hour of day matter more than month. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. At Mathis Pond the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. The nearest mapped parking is half a mile away, so the last stretch is on foot. Pike mean a wire trace, no exceptions; big spoons and jerkbaits do the searching. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Burns Pond sits 2.1 miles off and takes the overflow. Rules at Mathis Pond are worth checking on the day.